Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

Well hear from captain harry kane about their desire to go one further than recent tournaments and get their hands on a trophy. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. We are live in southern israel, less than a mile from the gaza strip, behind me about an hours drive from tel aviv. The us President Joe Biden is now in tel aviv for meetings with the israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. Soon after the us president arrived he said he was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by the devastating explosion at a hospital in gaza city yesterday evening. He said responsibility lay with what he called the other team. In other words, israel didnt do it. The Israeli Military blames the attack on a misfired rocket from palestinian islamichhad group. Its the second biggest armed group in the gaza strip. Like hamas its backed by iran. It is usually seen as more extreme than hamas but both groups are designated as Terrorist Organisations by many western governments, including the uk. As always, it is a time of the claim and counterclaim. Hamas, the palestinian authorities, arab states across the region as well as iran blame israel for the explosion, which hamas says killed 500 people. Well be hearing from our correspondent inside gaza been at the scene of the incident and well look more closely at what we know and dont know about this horrific explosion. First to this report from our correspondent wyre davies. And a warning that some of you may find some of our Coverage Today distressing. Joe biden arrived in israel this morning and one of the most dangerous points in the recent history of the region. From the us president , very public demonstrative show of support for its and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to do what it takes to crush hamas. For israel. Mr bidens as it has been overshadowed by what palestinian Officials Say has been an Israeli Attack on hospital in gaza. According to hamas, 500 people were killed including many who were already forced to evacuate their homes and were sheltering at the now burnt out hospital grounds. As the victims were buried, more desperation of and a sense increasing anger across the arab world. There were overnight protests across the west bank. Jordan, lebanon, and yemen. But israel says it was not to blame. In a detailed rebuttal of the claims from gaza, israeli officials said intelligence reports pointed to a inspired missile from palestinian militants. Part of israels event, intercepted communication between militants, said to be acknowledging what had actually happened. Israels evidence appeared persuasive enough forjoe biden. I appeared persuasive enough forjoe biden. , , appeared persuasive enough forjoe biden. , ,. , biden. I was deeply saddened and outraued biden. I was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by biden. I was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by the biden. I was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by the explosion biden. I was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by the explosion at biden. I was Deeply Saddened And Outraged by the explosion at the i outraged by the explosion at the hospital in gaza yesterday and based on what i have seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you. Mr though it was done by the other team. Not vom team, not you. Mr biden also expressed team, not you. Mr biden also expressed concern team, not you. Mr biden also expressed concern about team, not you. Mr biden also expressed concern about hostages held in gaza. They include us citizens, this 23 year old was badly wounded at a hamas attack at the Music Festival at which hundreds were killed. His mother rachel is desperate for progress. I do were killed. His mother rachel is desperate for progress. Desperate for progress. I do feel that president desperate for progress. I do feel that President Biden desperate for progress. I do feel that President Biden is desperate for progress. I do feel that President Biden is very desperate for progress. I do feel| that President Biden is very much with the hostages. We have spoken to him, i have spoken to him personally and we feel that support. And i know that the israelis as well once all the hostages released. And yet there is this crag my of time quagmire of time and chaos and pandemonium and we are actively at war. Jae and we are actively at war. Joe bidens short and we are actively at war. Joe bidens short visit will be followed by other World Leaders many of whom also have citizens killed all abducted by hamas. At the event of the last 2a hours of making it even more perilous for people in the immediate region including the hostages being held in gaza. Claim and counterclaim, carnage and chaos at that hospital in gaza city. Our correspondent in gaza, rushdi abualouf, has been to the scene of the hospital and begin have to warn you there are distressing scenes. Again we have to warn you. After what looks to have been the deadliest moment in gaza of the war so far. Burnt out cars, after last nights blast. I was talking to one of the people who witnessed what the palestinians are calling a massacre. He said they were just sitting in their garden peacefully, and suddenly, a huge explosion rocked the area and he said, we started to collect people from all around gaza strip who had arrived with us, we came and we tried to help. He said we collected bodies, injured people, people with serious injuries using motorcycles, some people were evacuated that he said, from here two shifa hospital. Blood soaked mattresses lay on the ground. Doctors here say thousands were taking shelter at the hospital when it happened. We left our home to come here, this woman says. We thought it would be safe but then it got bombed. People are still collecting body pieces from on the ground. People are still in panic. People are still trying to understand what has happened. When health Officials Saying hundreds of dead and missing, is a moment of horror palestinians already traumatised by ms moore. Rushdi abualouf, bbc traumatised by this wall. Rushdi abualouf, bbc news, gaza city. At the time to be busy trying to verify all of the conflicting claims that information coming in from conflicting claims that information coming infrom many conflicting claims that information coming in from many sources. Our Diplomatic Correspondent has been looking at what we know and what we dont know so far and she has been working with our verify team. Ever since the explosion happened at around 7pm local time, bbc Verification Experts have been poring over all the images that have emerged. These pictures show what appears to be the car park of the hospital in flames. Weve been able to establish its a courtyard with cars parked in it from the shape of the buildings. The Al Jazeera Television station was broadcasting live from gaza at the time. And you see a bright light in the air that looks like a rocket. Now we dont know where it was fired from. But something appears to happen to it and then a few seconds later theres a flash and then an enormous fireball. Our Verification Teams have looked at these images and can tell from the roofs, from the placing of solar panels and from some trees that it was in the main courtyard of the hospital. Now we have some images by daylight this morning. Here you see all the cars that have been burned in the explosion. But a relatively small crater. A number of Weapons Experts have told us you might expect to see a much larger crater, as well as structural damage to surrounding buildings, if had been caused by munitions typically used by israel. In this picture, you see windows blown out but this Hospital Building close to the crater still standing. The wounded were transferred and are being treated in another hospital in gaza and we dont yet have the full casualty toll to establish the exact truth of what happened, youd need an independent investgation. But thats not going to happen in what is an active war zone. Caroline hawley, thank you, and thank you to our verify team. In the midst of this escalating crisis, President Joe Biden had landed, the Emergency Lights are flashing right across the region. Lets bring in another Diplomatic Correspondent, paul adams. We have been a very public show of support by President Joe Biden, he has been having talks Behind Closed Doors with Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet. What do you think he is trying to achieve in those talks face to face . Several thin. S, in those talks face to face . Several things. Lyse in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best of in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best of all in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best of all as in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best of all as you in those talks face to face . Several things, lyse. Best of all as you say| things, lyse. Best of all as you say an absolutely false display of support first of all, an absolutely fulsome display of support. This has been to sleep crisis began, with the sending of warships to the eastern mediterranean, the rhetoric from officials, and symbolism of having a us president in israel while israel is at war which is another thing which has never happened before. And secondly trying to stop this escalating. We have seen evidence of skirmishes among the Northern Border Involving Gun Men From The Hezbollah Militia supported from iran, we have had warnings from iran that it might feel compelled to get involved if the situation in gaza deteriorate still further and itjust has, so clearly that is another thing which is very much preoccupying the president as he visits the region. Thirdly the humanitarian situation. American diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes, talking to the egyptians in particular to try and achieve some sort of alleviation or the palestinians who have fled down to the Southern Area of the gaza strip. That would have been part of the focus ofjoe bidens discussions in Thejordanian Capital tomorrow which would have involved the Palestinian Leader mahmoud about and the egyptian president. That was called off because Mahmoud Abbas said he was going to go there. You can be absolutely sure though that was not going to go there. You can be absolutely sure that american officials will be working on this because they know that this crisis could get worse especially given the anticipated Land Invasion from israel begins, whenever that is. Paul adams, israel begins, whenever that is. Pauladams, our israel begins, whenever that is. Paul adams, our Diplomatic Correspondent who is now in jerusalem. As paul says, this could get much worse, it is already being described as unprecedented. Palestinian Health Officials have been describing the attack on the hospital is unparalleled, indescribable. They say it represents the biggest loss of life in a single attack on all of the five wars fought between gaza and israel. The numbers only tell part of the story. But they tell us of a rising death toll. Today the Palestinian Health Ministry Said that more than 3300 palestinians have been killed in the retaliatory air strikes by israel, more than 13,000 injured. Here in israel, nearly 11100 israelis were killed in the atrocities by Hamas On October Seven in the early hours of saturday, when hamas carried out those attacks, and provoked an escalation which is still continuing. Another dimension to this crisis is the nearly 200 hostages who are still believed to be hidden across the gaza strip, including israelis and 30 other nationalities. This morning, here in southern israel, so close to the gaza border, there has been a constant sound of Heavy Artillery Fire by israel, heavy machine gun fire, and on the horizon, constantly, the black plumes of smoke rising in the distance. That is gaza city continuing to come under bombardment. An intensifying wall and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. In the words of the un Secretary General antonio terrace, there is no Epic Suffering in the gaza strip. President joe biden has arrived in the midst of all of this, saying he wanted to support israel but also wanted to ensure that israel did Everything Possible to minimise or civilian casualties and get desperately needed aid into gaza. We will continue to watch all of the events from here, across israel and the gaza strip and beyond but for now, back to london. The crisis in the middle east has dominated Prime Ministers questions in the commons. The Prime Minister says the uk is working independently and with with allies to find out what happened at the al ahli hospital. The Labour Leader said the events were incredibly distressing. International law must be upheld and that means hospitals and civilian lives must be protected. Last night, the Foreign Secretary said the uk will work with our allies to find out what has happened. I know this only happened last night, but can the Prime Minister please tell us when he thinks he might be able to update the house on progress with that work . I know the whole house will have been shocked by the scenes at al ahli hospital. Any loss of innocent life is a dreadful tragedy. And everyone will be thinking both of those who have lost their lives and the families they leave behind. We should not rush tojudgment before we have all the facts on this awful situation. That was just part of pmqs. 0ur Political Correspondent helen catt was listening to the whole session. Tell us more about what was said . But the Labour Leader of the Prime Minister talk about the importance, as they see it, of uk politicians speaking with one voice when it comes to israel and gaza. They also spoke about the importance of the words that are used and the risks of this information. As you heard, rishi sunak was talking about not Rushing Tojudgment on rishi sunak was talking about not rushing to judgment on the attack on the hospital. He said the Intelligence Services were working to analyse it, that they were going to reach their own conclusions. That was echoed by james cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, who said that while he acknowledged that it was frustrating that there appeared to be a pause, he was clear that the uk will come to its own judgment on the attack. That is a course in the context of the comments by President Biden. James cleverly said they would take note of that. He is planning to visit the region, and he said the uks diplomatic focus remains on british nationals, humanitarian aid in preventing tensions. That is something that Opposition Parties are backing. Sir keir starmer at Prime Ministers questions talked about the importance of getting medicine, food and water into gaza and stressed the importance of staying within international law. The snp leader Stephen Flynn also joined with the Prime Minister and the Labour Leader in condemning the attacks, but he has gone further. He called for an immediate ceasefire. Immediate ceasefire. Helen catt there. Our top story this afternoon. Claims and Counter Claims surround the attack on a Gaza Hospital Which Hamas says killed hundreds of people. Still to come, Andrew Malkinson, wrongly imprisoned for 17 years for a rape he didnt commit, tells us he may be waiting two years for his compensation. Coming up on bbc news, can afghanistan cause another shock at the Cricket World Cup . Theyre currently taking on new zealand in chennai and are proving to be a tough test again, as england found out themselves last week. Prices rose in september at the same rate as the month before. Inflation remained at 6. 7 , partly because of the cost of petrol and diesel though prices forfood and non alcoholic drinks fell for the first time in two years. The stagnant Inflation Figure suggests the cost of living crisis continues and it raises concerns that Interest Rates could stay higher for longer. Heres our Business Correspondent ben king. Gathering a good harvest here in kent. Falling food prices are helpful for shoppers, but mean tough times for farmers. Labour, electricity and diesel costs are all going up. Machines like this can help keep that down, but only a bit. I think if we see our cost price increase going forward, then weve really got to put that back to the retailers and say, we need to have a conversation about this, this is incredibly challenging for us. This used to be an orchard, but costs are so high that theyre digging them up and not replanting. 0verall, food prices fell in september, the first monthly fall in two years, while diesel and petrol were up more than 5 . Inflation as a whole was unchanged at 6. 7 , while from may to july, earnings went up by 8. 5 , including bonuses. Septembers Inflation Figure usually sets how much working age benefits rise the following april, but pensions are expected to rise by that higher earnings figure if the government keeps to its triple lock policy. That could cost billions, but here in tonbridge, people were supportive. Do you think its fair that the State Pension should go up by more than inflation . Yeah. Why is that . Because im a pensioner before when its gone up, it has been embarrassing, hasnt it . It has gone up pennies. At least they are making an effort. Everything else is going up, so it levels the Playing Field a bit. What anyone with a mortgage is going to want to know is whether todays figure makes it more likely that the Bank Of England will feel it has to put up Interest Rates again to bring inflation back down to its 2 target. And its looking like a finely balanced decision. The argument to leave rates on hold really hinges on some signs of weakness in the economy, so the pick up in unemployment, for example. The argument to put rates up would focus on the robustness of services inflation, essentially, that underlying inflation is still sticky. I think its better to get more rate hikes in now while we can, rather than waiting for evidence to the contrary. Inflation for october is expected to fall sharply as energy bills go down. So the Prime Ministers pledge to halve inflation this year might still get there. But growing instability in the middle east threatens to drive up energy prices. There are plenty of things that could still push it off course. Ben king, bbc news, tonbridge. You can find more analysis of hows todays Inflation Figures are affecting people on bbc news online. Thats bbc. Co. Uk news, or by using the bbc news app. A man who abducted a girl while he was dressed as a woman has been jailed for 20 years. 53 year old andrew miller, who also uses the name amy george, sexually abused the girl over a 27 hour period at his home in the scottish borders. 0ur correspondent David Wallace lockhart is outside the high court in edinburgh a deeply distressing case, david . Thats right. Andrew miller pleaded guilty in may to abducting and sexually assaulting the Primary School aged girl after offering to give her a lift. The incident took place in february, when miller, also known as amy george, was dressed as a woman. He held the Primary School pupil captive for 27 hours. She was sexually abused and only escaped after managing to get out of the bedroom and find a phone and dial 999. George lloyd arthur sentenced miller to 27 years, saying that his crimes were nauseating in their level of depravity. The fact that miller was dressed as a woman at the time was described as an aggravating factor. He said the girl would not have gone with him if he were just as a man. He said the abduction and sexual abuse of a child was a uniquely appalling crime. The court heard that miller, who was dressed in a Grey Tracksuit top, hoped that the impact of his actions would not be too bad for, as he put it, the wider trans community. He left the court after sentencing, impassive, with his head bowed. Court after sentencing, impassive, with his head bowed. David Wallace Lockhart there. Now a look at some other stories making the news today. Doctors leaders are to meet Health Ministers about the continuing industrial action by consultants in england. It will be the first talks between the two sides since nhs strikes began in the summer. Possessing laughing gas will be made illegal in three weeks time. The home office says those who repeatedly misuse Nitrous Oxide could face up to two years in prison, and dealers could be jailed for up to 1a years. Greta thunberg has been charged with breaching the public order act, following a protest outside an Energy Conference in london. She was one of 26 people arrested in mayfair. Andrew malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of rape, says his compensation money still hasnt been paid and that hes now living in a tent in spain. Mr malkinson, whos 57, was released by the court of appeal injuly. A Government Inquiry is to examine the actions of the Crown Prosecution Service, Greater Manchester police and the Criminal Cases Review Commission in light of the Miscarriage Ofjustice. Andrew malkinson has been talking to our correspondentjane mccubbin. This is previously unseen footage of the day Andy Malkinson was released from prison. The first thing he has to do was walk on the beach with his mum. Hed just served 17 years for a crime he didnt commit. He could have been out in six if hed made a false confession, something he was never willing to do. Cheering it would take another three years before judges finally agreed he was innocent. You leave the court a free man. Dreadful, awful Miscarriage Ofjustice. Its right that the police apologise. But today, instead of enjoying his freedom, he says he is broke and living in a tent on a spanish campsite. What does life look like right now . Well, er, the compensation will take, who knows how long . Probably i heard probably two years. I have nojob, im on benefits. Youre living in a tent . Im living in a tent. Im basically homeless. Yeah, thats true. Im Waiting Forthem to do the right thing. Im waiting for the authorities. They have the power to do the right thing, and they have the power to move instantly. They choose to take their time. After andrews acquittal, he travelled to amsterdam. For a time, he stayed with karen, an ex girlfriend, who never lost faith in his innocence. But this is the tent he today calls home. He says he has lost faith in the uk. They lied, they distorted the truth. They hid exculpatory evidence. I dont trust the british. They cant. Hillsborough, Bloody Sunday they cant face the truth. And thats why you dont want to you literally dont want to live here any more . No, no. This isnt my home. He wants a Public Inquiry into his case to be made statutory, a move today refused by the ministry ofjustice. They said. The Lord Chancellor has been clear that Andrew Malkinson suffered an atrocious Miscarriage Ofjustice and he deserves thorough and honest answers into how and why it block so long to uncover. The camera cases review commission, Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester police have all pledged their full cooperation to the independent inquiry into the handling of his conviction and subsequent appeals. But andrew says his life cant truly start again until authorities are forced under oath to tell the truth. They will not give it up. Theyre institutionally dishonest. Jayne mccubbin, bbc news. Now, its being billed as the countrys biggest Public Investment in a cultural venue for more than 20 years. Aviva studios In Manchester officially opens today for whats expected to be a final bill of £2110 million, double the original estimate. The first show there is directed by danny boyle, who masterminded the Opening Ceremony of the london 2012 olympics, and its a Dance Adaptation of the cult sci fi film the matrix. Our culture editor Katie Razzall has had an exclusive preview. Something wild is happening in the north west. This is the biggest cultural opening of a space since the opening of tate modern at the beginning of the century. A huge new venue for shows, gigs and much more. Why shouldnt there be a National Theatre In Manchester . 0scar winner danny boyle is directing Aviva Studios official opening show. Its inspired by the cult film the matrix, the fight between humans and intelligent machines. In free your mind, people are enslaved by technology. Hello, neo. Ive been looking for you. Its a large scale spectacle from the trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire director who fell in love with theatre as a teenager after getting a job as an usher at the bolton 0ctagon. I kind of got the bug, and we want to give the bug to anybody who comes to see this. And if the matrix can attract them into a space that theyre not that familiar with, thats not part of their lives, and they get the bug, that would be a wonderful thing. The show� s choreographer also worked with boyle on the london 2012 0lympic Opening Ceremony. I want to see, you know, the local people being in here, not just sitting on seats, but actually working. The more that we can create those opportunities, create those chances, were doing ourjob. To open a big communal space like this is a joyous thing, really, beyond, obviously, yes, the expense and yeah, you could give it to hospitals instead. But there are benefits for everybody� s wellbeing in the future from these kind of spaces, i think. But controversially, the final bill is likely to be around £2110 million, more than double the original estimate, mostly funded by the government and Manchester City council. Why has it cost so much more than the plan . The buildings obviously been affected by covid. Its been affected by inflation. Its been affected by increasing materials costs. I think what i am really proud of and proud of Manchester City council for doing is sticking with it. Weve not had a lot of opportunities up here. Everythings very london based. We have a lot of travelling down for auditions, stuff like that. Now they have to come up to us. Its great. 0ne estimate says this venue will add £1 billion to the local economy. Putting money into culture can bring jobs and regeneration, but will Aviva Studios be a Box Office Hit . Katie razzall, bbc news, manchester. Time for a look at the weather. Heres tomasz schafernaker. Goodness, a red one in four parts of scotland . ,. Goodness, a red one in four parts of scotland . ,. , scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the hiuhest scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the highest level scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the highest level of scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the highest level of weather scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the highest level of Weather Warning. Scotland . Yes, they are rare. Is the| highest level of Weather Warning the met office issues. It basically means there is danger to life and there is that warning in force for parts of angus and aberdeenshire. This is valid for thursday and into