Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240713

Victory over argentina in tokyo. And after another big week for brexit, join chris, laura, katya and adam to examine borisjohnsons new proposals in the latest edition of brexitcast. At Donald Trumps political opponents have intensified efforts to impeach the president. Three congressional committees have demanded legal documents relating to a telephone call by mr trump, in which he asked ukraine to investigate his president ial rivaljoe biden. From washington, Chris Buckler reports. What was a request has become a demand. Democrats are piling the pressure on President Trump by issuing a subpoena for a series of documents. They want a full, rather than a rough, transcript of thejuly phone call in which he asked the ukrainian leader, volodymyr zelensky, to investigate his political rival and potential president ial rival, joe biden. And amid all the talk of impeachment, mr trump continues to make unfounded allegations about mr biden, who hopes to challenge him in next years president ial election. Youre pointing out when hes flatlining, where there is no evidence, none, not a scintilla, not one tiny piece. The American People know me, and they know him. Even the people who support him know this man lacks character. Even people who support him know he lies constantly. In a letter, the chairmen of three congressional committees accused mr trump of choosing a path of defiance, obstruction and cover up. In response, the white house accused the democrats of setting up a Kangaroo Court that would only waste time and taxpayers dollars, and President Trumps press secretary insisted that all their inquiries would ultimately show that the president had done nothing wrong. Chris buckler, bbc news, washington. Much of hong kong is shut down after violent demonstrations led to the suspension of the citys public transport network. Many shopping centres, banks and businesses have been unable to open. Thousands of people have taken to the streets today to protest against a newly imposed ban on wearing facemasks. Hong kongs leader, carrie lam, is warning that she can no longer tolerate rioters destroying the territory. Translation the extreme actions of rioters created a very dark night for hong kong and made Hong Kong Society semi paralysed. Everyone is very worried and concerned or even scared. The government will suppress violence with the greatest determination. I appeal to everyone to support the government in suppressing violence in accordance to the law, condemn violence together, and cut ties with rioters with a firm will. At a News Conference in kuala lumpur, the United Nations high commissionerfor human rights, michelle bachelet, said the ban on Face Coverings should not be used as a way to target or disrupt people taking part in peaceful demonstrations. Ban on Face Covering during assemblies are, in some circumstances, used to target particular groups and improperly curtail their freedom of expression or peaceful assembly. So freedom of peaceful assembly, when we are talking about peaceful assembly, should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible. But on the other hand, we cannot accept people who use masks to promote violence. That is also not acceptable. Our correspondent in Hong Kong Robin brant has been out on the streets of the territory today. This morning, there has been a protest of up to 2,000 people, the decision yesterday by authorities to essentially shut down authorities to essentially shut down a key part, in fact the key part of the transport infrastructure here, will continue today. We havejust heard from carrie lam, hong kongs most senior politician, this is what she is trying to bring to an end. This is the premium shopping district, and there are not many shoppers, no traffic, because we have had a protest in the last half an hourorso, about have had a protest in the last half an hour or so, about 2000 people marched to this point, it was peaceful but there was disruption, and it has taken place in the context of a significant escalation by authorities, bringing emergency authorities to stop people Wearing Masks over theirface, authorities to stop people Wearing Masks over their face, and authorities to stop people Wearing Masks over theirface, and despite that, look to your right, characteristically youthful group of protesters here, they are covering theirfaces. Protesters here, they are covering their faces. 0thers protesters here, they are covering their faces. Others are covering their faces. Others are covering theirface over there. Their faces. Others are covering their face over there. Half an their faces. Others are covering theirface over there. Half an hour ago, a couple of thousand, i think it is fairto ago, a couple of thousand, i think it is fair to say, you know, 25 40 we re it is fair to say, you know, 25 40 were covering their faces. So that tells you what these protesters think about the authorities decision to try to force them to stop theirfaces. Decision to try to force them to stop their faces. That act is now technically illegal. The foreign secretary, dominic raab, says hes called the Us Ambassador to express his disappointment that the wife of an american diplomat, whos wanted in connection with a fatal road crash, has left the country. 19 year old harry dunn was killed in a collision near raf croughton in northamptonshire in august. Police say they want to arrest and interview the 42 year old woman about his death. The government has indicated it could clarify its new brexit offer after the eu called for fundamental changes. Talks will resume on monday after the eu said the uks proposed alternative to the irish backstop could not be the basis for a legally binding treaty. Borisjohnson has insisted the only options are a new deal or no deal. 0ur Political Correspondent Susana Mendonca is here with me now. Is he likely to get ideal . It is difficult to say that at the moment, the sense from the European Union is that what is on the table is not in keeping with what they are after. Borisjohnson has said he would want a situation where you have got Northern Ireland staying within the Single Market for goods but the whole of the uk leaving the customs union, and so one of the key challenges and one of the key debates around all of these, and the reason for the backstop, this insurance policy to prevent a hard border, is about trying to keep an open border between Northern Ireland and the republic of ireland. And this plan by borisjohnson, the government say that you would be able to do border checks at factories and away from the border, but the European Union doesnt seem particularly convinced of that, and certainly what we have had so far, leo varadkar, the irish pm, saying that it falls short, donald tusk saying he is not convinced, on friday there was a meeting of eu negotiators with eu diplomats, basically saying that fundamental changes have to happen. So we know the government is talking about how it wants to clarify its offer, we understand that will be happening in the coming week, there will be talks on monday in brussels, and we understand the Boris Johnson on monday in brussels, and we understand the borisjohnson will be meeting eu leaders in the coming week. So certainly there will be an attempt to get something that can be put to parliament, but essentially if he doesnt manage to get something to put to parliament, then potentially brexit may not happen, oi potentially brexit may not happen, or you know, he is still saying that we will leave deal or no deal. Now, labour have been talking about this, John Mcdonnell is in colchester today, the shadow chancellor, he has been talking about the need to raise Living Standards in a speech there, but he was asked about this, and he said he didnt think the deal that borisjohnson had said he didnt think the deal that Boris Johnson had put said he didnt think the deal that borisjohnson had put forward was actually a real deal. It looks like an election stunt, it looks like they have put forward proposals they know the eu will not accept, and on that basis Boris Johnson will portray himself as some form of victim either from the Eu Parliament and that will be the basis of his election campaign. What we want is a Prime Minister who looks after the long term interests of our country, makes sure we rule no deal off the table completely, goes into negotiations, secures a sensible deal and put it back to the people with the option to remain. What we wanted to bring the country back together again. The best way of doing that is let the people speak. Susanna, just to try and get some clarity here, the 19th of october is the big day on whether we have a deal or not. If he has no deal, what happens . His legal team says he will do one thing, he says something else. In terms of the law that was brought in last year, what is known as the benn act, it means that he has to have a deal passed through parliament on the 19th of october, so parliament on the 19th of october, so the eu have to agree the deal, parliament would have to agree, and if he doesnt do that, what the law saysis if he doesnt do that, what the law says is that he will have to then write to the European Union to request an extension to article 50 for us to remain in the European Union. Now, Boris Johnson for us to remain in the European Union. Now, borisjohnson has said that he will obey the law, that is what the law says, and certainly there is a court case at the moment in scotland which is looking at this very issue, and in papers submitted to that court, he has said he will obey the law. But he is also saying that he will leave the European Union with or without a deal, and thatis union with or without a deal, and that is where all the questions are being raised about what that means does it mean that he is looking for a loophole that he could potentially get out of following that rule . Are there ways he could write a letter but actually somehow get out of it . That is where there is a lack of clarity at the moment, and downing street havent given any detail on how they would avoid going along with the letter of that law. Could bea with the letter of that law. Could be a loophole, then, be another eu member, in the form of hungary . We have been hearing a lot about viktor 0rban. This idea comes spinning around since last month, when the mps brought in the benn act, and this is the idea that you could get one of the other European Union nations to retail, so borisjohnson would put forward the letter but then eu leaders would have to agree and one could veto. It is an idea that has been around for some while, and it has resurfaced because there was a video and social media suggesting that a Hungarian Foreign minister had been seen at the cabinet office, and the newspaper reports today suggesting that the Prime Minister would want the hungarian government to retail. But what we had from the hungarian government, from the foreign minister there is that no request has been made for that, and so they have not been asked to do that. I spoke to downing street, and i did not comment either way. We do not know whether they have asked hungary to do that. Could they do it . It is a difficult thing to achieve, you would have to have a European Union nation going against the wishes of other European Union nations, how difficult asked, i think. Just quickly, could you bother to point what we have to look forward to this week . Go grab another prorogation of parliament, Everybody Knows that word, the suspension of parliament, the last one was found to be unlawful, and this is going to be just a few days, as we understand it, so sometime in the next few days Jacob Rees Mogg will ask the queen to suspend parliament for a few days in order to have the queens speech, which the government wants to hold ona which the government wants to hold on a weeks time, setting out its programme for government. We have also got Boris Johnson programme for government. We have also got borisjohnson and the government trying to get some movement with the European Union in terms of a deal that they want to achieve, so that will be happening over this week as well, and also his court case going on in scotland which is about trying to make sure that the government sticks to the law of the benn act. Was adamant you. You are watching bbc news. Iran has released a british australian woman and her boyfriend whod been detained for three months on spying charges. Jolie king and her australian boyfriend mark firkin had been accused of using a drone to take pictures of military sites. Separately an iranian student has reportedly been freed in australia, but its unclear if the two developments are linked. The duke of sussex has launched a legal battle against the tabloid press, taking action against the owners of the sun, the now defunct news of the world and the daily mirror, in relation to alleged phone hacking. Its not yet clear when prince harrys allegations date from, but in a phone hacking trial in 2011 he was named, along with prince william, as a victim. His move follows the announcement that his wife meghan is taking separate legal action against the mail on sunday. Ben ando has more. The end of another high profile tour fulfilling their royal duties, meeting and greeting, but amid ever frostier relations between the prince and the press. Now harry is suing the publishers of two tabloid newspapers, the sun and the mirror, over allegations his mobile phone was hacked, its thought, in the early 2000s. The phone hacking scandal led to the closure of the mighty news of the world newspaper in 2011, and during a trial that year, princes harry, william and kate middleton, now the duchess of cambridge, were named as victims. But why is the prince suing now . Royals rarely reach for a lawyer or a writ, and the reason is that its such a high Risk Strategy. They can be cross examined, they can also have disclosure go to places that they dont really want. So it is a very high Risk Strategy, the things that are outside their control, but its also a high Risk Strategy for the editors who are going to have to give evidence too. There are strong suggestions that in taking this action, harry is ignoring the advice of palace officials. But ever since he refused to take part in the traditional newborn baby photo call when his son archie was born in may, its been clear that the duke of sussex is ready to challenge expectations of how much or how little privacy members of the royal family can expect. On tuesday in south africa, the duke accused britains tabloids of a Ruthless Campaign against his wife meghan, and she started Legal Proceedings against the mail on sunday, claiming it unlawfully published a private letter. It seems the sussexes believe only the courts can give them the privacy they feel theyre entitled to. Ben ando, bbc news. A number of passengers have been injured, one seriously, after a double decker bus overturned in devon. The vehicle crashed on the a385 between totnes and paignton at about 11 oclock this morning. Emergency Services Declared a major incident. Police have closed the road in both directions and asked people to avoid the area. The headlines on bbc news senior democrats in the us demand the white house hands over documents for their impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Protesters defy a ban on wearing face masks as much of hong kong is shut down. The government indicates it could clarify its new brexit offer after the eu called for fundamental changes. Police in new york have said four homeless men have been beaten to death with a metal object in chinatown. A 24 year old suspect is reported to be in custody. Cbsjournalist christina fan has this update from new york. We are in chinatown in lower manhattan, where police are investigating an attack against the homeless four people dead and one other seriously injured. This is one of the many locations where police found the bodies this morning. We want to give you a look at the Massive Police response at the heart of chinatown. There is a suspect in custody. We have learned that he and all of the victims are believed to be homeless men. Officers found the bodies after getting a call around 2am of a possible fight near bowery and doyers street. Here they found two victims. Just a block over on east broadway, they found three more bodies. It is believed the victims were sleeping when they were hit by a metal object that looked like a pipe. One of the victim survived the attack and is now being treated at a local hospital. Again, police say the suspect, a 24 year old man, is in custody, and they are questioning him but do not know the motives of the attacks at this time. A cinema in the us has cancelled two screenings ofjoker after police revealed, what they called, a credible threat to those with tickets to the blockbuster film. Police in major us cities have ramped up security to coincide with the release of the violent, film fearing it could incite gun violence. Freya cole reports. Twisted, wicked and cruel thejoker is returning to screens around the world as dark as ever before. One small thing. When you bring me out, can you introduce me asjoker . The Warner Brothers film depicts the story of the mentally deranged joker before batman. The r rated movie has triggered widespread fears that it will incite violence, and less than a week into its box office debut, in california, two screenings have been cancelled. The local Police Department deemed that threat was credible enough to provide a uniformed presence at the theatre. Now reopened, the Huntington Beach Police Department has said it will provide patrols for the rest of the weekend. The need for heightened security stems from the 2012 shooting attack inside a colorado cinema. 12 people were killed and 70 injured when a gunman dressed in body armour and a gas mask opened fire during a midnight screening of the dark knight rises. Their families have written to Warner Brothers urging the corporation to do more to tackle gun related violence. I believe that if someone is trying to copy cat, thejoker would be a place where that could happen. I think people need to be aware of it. Inevitably, some moviegoers will hold off seeing the film. I am conflicted about it, because of the issues in america right now with gun violence. But the joker has a cult like following. It isjust a movie, you dont have to act what you see in the movie. Already the film has broken box office records, making more than 30 million us dollars in its debut. Freya cole, bbc news. There are fresh calls for a change in the law on assisted dying from the family of an 80 year old woman who has been cleared of killing her terminally ill husband. Mavis eccleston and her husband dennis were both found unconscious at their home in staffordshire after taking an overdose. Mavis recovered but was later charged with murder. John maguire has been to speaking to their daughterjoy. Married for 60 years, their intention was to die as they have lived together. 18 months ago, Dennis Eccleston was suffering with terminal bowel cancer. He just wanted to end his life without any pain and go without any treatment. So his wife mavis gave him an overdose of prescription medicine before taking one herself. Both were found unconscious at their bungalow in staffordshire. But after hospital treatment, mavis survived. She was then charged with her husbands murder. That word murder, that doesnt live in our lives. You know, were normal people and when you hear that someones been murdered, you think of something horrific, and this was my mum and dad we were talking about. So i was literally. Its ok. I was holding on to her and just didnt want her to. I didnt want them to take her, and you could see that they they didnt want to take her but they had to, because it was theirjob. And so obviously, she went away, bless her, and shes only four foot eight, in a nightie, dressing gown and slippers, because we got told she was just gonna be away for three hours. It ended up being nearly 30. After a trial lasting almost three weeks, a jury found mavis not guilty. Her family are joining calls for a change in legislation to allow assisted dying. The law exists to protect the sanctity of life. How can a law like this be introduced, and how can a law do both things . Well, they have it in other countries, and it works perfectly well. Were talking about people, not the vulnerable people, people who are of sound mind to have that choice, to be able to turn around and say, this is it now, this is how i would like to go. So for instance, my dad, i would like to go at home with my family around me. And then, of course, youre going to have the medical team there, youre to have signed all of the documents and everything else. Theyre going to have been safeguarded. Were not talking aboutjust anybody being able to do it and get away with it. This is not what were talking about at all. Were talking about a law. One which the government says would have to be approved by parliament, which four years ago voted against a change. But maviss family says they will keep campaigning after the loss of their father and very nearly losing their mother. John maguire, bbc news, staffordshire. More than 1,600 uk high street shops have closed as a result of restructuring deals since the beginning of last year, according to new figures. The local data company has looked at the impact of so called Company Voluntary arrangements and found that nearly two thirds of closed stores are still sitting empty. Our Business Correspondent emma simpson has more. Theyve been trading for more than a hundred years at this store. A Family Business that prides itself on its expertise and service. The 0gden brothers have been keeping a close eye on their high street, too. And these last two years, its lost a bit of its sparkle. This is the prime shopping area. Its lovely. Its a lovely street, and yes, its always been a premium shopping street in harrogate. But youve got gaps now. Weve got gaps, and its very sad to see. Five years ago, it would have been unthinkable to have these empty units. Its a real shame. Even this attractive and popular spa town isnt immune from our changing shopping habits. I think its the cost of trading in harrogate is quite high, rents are high, rates are high, and i think all that needs to happen is footfalljust drops a fraction, it becomes less viable. Its the big chains that have been pulling out. A familiar story on high streets up and down the country, and we have been crunching the numbers. Since the start of 2018, 23 chains have done restructuring deals to cut costs. Theyre known as Company Voluntary arrangements, a form of insolvency proceedings. So far, 1,676 outlets have shut, mainly in retail, and nearly two thirds of them are still sitting empty. Heres one of them. This used to be the Early Learning centre. They shut the doors and handed back the keys, leaving the landlord with a substantial repairing liability, up to possibly £100,000. Now this letting agent is trying to fill the gap. Its the toughest market ive ever known for retail properties. Landlords have to reduce rents, the government have to reduce the rates liability, which is substantial, and i think Town Councils have to help by reducing car parking, having an hours free parking or Something Like that. You wouldnt let it to a chain again . I dont think he would, no. Heres another chain that left, but its just got a new lease of life. This local business got a deal and moved in. 0ur landlord has been lovely, and hes taken a chance on us. Were an independent, family run business, and we wanted to bring Something Back and to be in the town centre, and looking around, this is what people want. While other town centres are battling for survival, the challenge here is keeping harrogate special. A recipe that might now need a tweak. Emma simpson, bbc news, harrogate. The competitive world of publishing has seen many titles come and go, but one monthly magazine has Just Launched its 500th edition after almost half a century. Gay times is now europes longest running lgbt publication, and ben hunte has been looking at how its changed through the decades. Glossy magazines fill the shelves, but this one, which looks like coffee table art, started 47 years ago as a monthly voice for gay activists. Here in the national lgbt archives in east london, you will find a treasure trove of queer history. Almost half a century later, some of the pages still feel relevant today. One of the things we have seen within this magazine, within the first edition, is media watch. Talk me through what media watch was. It was basically a look at what was being said in the National Media about the Lgbt Community at the time. Loonies who want a sense of family life. And even more relevant, save the children from sad, sordid sex lessons. Reading some of the headlines here, they arent too dissimilar to headlines that we actually see today. Of course, predominantly targeted at what was called the Gay Community then, but within lgbtq, some of these headlines being targeted towards people with a trans experience now, quite often in well known media titles. Today, the 500th edition has changed quite a bit. The magazine has diversified, and so has the business model. The magazine now really only represents a tenth of the gay times organisation. We work much more with the community and content channels across social and digital platforms, were the biggest lgbt partner on instagram. In a woke world full of specialist publications, competition to represent communities and make more money is getting tougher. But activists say the platforms are more important than ever. Ben hunte, bbc news. Now its time for a look at the weather with ben rich. It feels quite mild out there. Yeah, pretty mild and dry for many eastern areas, but as you may have gathered, that will not last. Rain and brisk winds working in across parts of Northern Ireland, and that wet weather will push its way slowly eastward through the rest of this afternoon and on into this evening. I will show you the radar picture, which shows rain over recent hours, rain spreading into many western parts. This could cause one or two spotters it works eastwards across the uk over the next 12 24 hours. Sting predominantly dry and eastern areas, the best sunshine in 0rkney and shetland, rain rolling into the west with brisk winds as well, particularly for western and northern parts of scotland. Through tonight, the heavy rain becomes slow moving, causing problems, localised flooding, certainly poor travelling conditions. It will dry out in western parts by the end of the night, pretty mild, 9 12 degrees. Tomorrow, eastern areas could see quite a lot of rain, some problems with that, further west turning drier with some sunshine. Hello this is bbc news. The headlines