Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240829

I think both sides have ruled out that this is talking about the uk rejoining the eu in any way, shape orform, or even the customs union, for that matter. But what this is about is some quite concrete bilateral talks. This is the fifth meeting, but this is the first official visit of the Prime Minister to berlin. And its just two months after he was elected as Prime Minister. Now, for his predecessor, rishi sunak, it took 18 months. And i thinkjust that alone is a signal of what london wants to achieve. Its, on the one hand, its a strong signal that the uk is now open for business with germany and, you know, is very serious about pushing forward some quite concrete bilateral agreements, particularly on defence, because i think Thats Something that the two countries are keen on working together on. What they cant really do much is when it comes to trade, because thats within the. Thats within the responsibilities of the eu. But what. I think when it comes to closer cooperation between the uk and the eu in general, what Olaf Schulz can promise is really talking about preparing the way for more talks between london and brussels. And thats clearly what Keir Starmer wants to do. He wants to get germany on side, in order to really talk to the eu, in a broader sense. So i think weve got two things going on. On the one hand, bilateral talks with germany, particularly on defence. On the other hand, getting germany onside, in order to push forward broader Eu Collaboration between london and brussels. Lets speak to our political correspondent henry zeffman, whos In Berlin with the Prime Minister. We heard about that Eu Reset Sir Keir Starmer would like. Tell us what that means. Keir starmer would like. Tell us what that means. ~. , what that means. Well, we have heard that Word Reset what that means. Well, we have heard that Word Reset an what that means. Well, we have heard that Word Reset an awful what that means. Well, we have heard that Word Reset an awful lot what that means. Well, we have heard that Word Reset an awful lot from that Word Reset an awful lot from sir Keir Starmer whenever he has met a European Leader in his two short months as Prime Minister. And we especially heard it at the european political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace which took place within a couple of weeks of Keir Starmer becoming Prime Minister. As damian was saying, i think this first official visit to germany as Prime Minister is an opportunity for Keir Starmer to begin putting some kind of meat on those bones. So what we are going to hearfrom kind of meat on those bones. So what we are going to hear from the kind of meat on those bones. So what we are going to hearfrom the prime Minister Today is notjust warm words about a reset, but actually, what he hopes will grow into something more concrete. This treaty between the uk and germany. But of course, there are questions about what that can possibly entail, Given The Uk is outside of the European Union and germany is very much at its heart. W , Union And Germany is very much at its heart. ,. , u, its heart. Exactly. So what can this treaty actively its heart. Exactly. So what can this treaty actively achieve . Its heart. Exactly. So what can this treaty actively achieve . Well, treaty actively achieve . Well, Downin Treaty actively achieve . Well, downing Street Treaty actively achieve . Well, Downing Street are treaty actively achieve . Well, Downing Street are saying treaty actively achieve . Well, | Downing Street are saying that treaty actively achieve . Ii Downing Street are saying that they want it to achieve better Market Access for Uk Firms hoping to trade in germany. Also, that it will do things on defence. Talks between the Uk And German Governments on Defence Cooperation began a few weeks ago. Also, illegal migration, by biodiversity and all sorts of other things besides. So it does feel like it is more of an overarching framework within which better relations between the uk and germany in particular and the uk and eu in general can begin to be discussed. But i think it is also about the uk displaying that it is back in europe, if not in the European Union. Lots of talk from Downing Street this morning about how this is designed to put the uks relationship with germany on a similarfooting to the relationship with germany on a similar footing to the uks relationship france. At times, they are known as the e3, those three countries, especially when the uk was in the European Union, the Big Three economies of europe. I think thatis three economies of europe. I think that is very much where the government of sir Keir Starmer wants to pick up. But with that fundamental issue that they dont want to unpick or change the real structure of the uks Post Brexit Settlement with the eu, and that does constrain the possibilities here. But this treaty, we are told, will be negotiated within six months, so were not going to have to wait too long to find out what it can do and perhaps as importantly, what it cant. fix, can do and perhaps as importantly, what it cant what it cant. A busy couple of days for the uk leader. What it cant. A busy couple of days for the uk leader. We what it cant. A busy couple of days for the uk leader. We saw what it cant. A busy couple of days for the uk leader. We saw him what it cant. A busy couple of days for the uk leader. We saw him with the german president , the german chancellor. He will also meet the french president. Chancellor. He will also meet the french president. Thats right. So shortly after french president. Thats right. So shortly after his french president. Thats right. So shortly after his meeting french president. Thats right. So shortly after his meeting with french president. Thats right. So| shortly after his meeting with Olaf Scholz which is taking place somewhere else in this building right now, we will see Keir Starmer and Chancellor Scholz giving a Press Conference to give us a flavour of what they have discussed. The Prime Minister will then meet a business which does lots of work in both germany and the uk, meet some other businesses there as well. And then hes going to paris. A very short visit to germany, he is in paris principally for the Opening Ceremony of the paralympics and he is also going to meet some paralympians from Team Gb while he is there. But he will also as you said Meet President Macron at the elysee palace. And again, i would expect that Word Reset to crop up. We were talking yesterday about how Keir Starmer is relentlessly hammering home the message about the Black Hole he says he inherited from the conservatives. I think in diplomatic terms particularly in europe, you arejust going to hear that Word Reset again and again notjust over this couple of days, but way into the future. We will certainly listen out for it. As always, many thanks. Henry zeffman who is with the Prime Minister In Berlin, thank you so much. And the moment any of those Press Conferences start, we will bring those to you. Another big story today. Israeli Security Forces have been carrying out a major operation in the north of the occupied West Bank thought to be one of the biggest such operations there in years. The Palestinian Red Crescent says at least 11 people have been killed. Six reportedly died in a drone Strike Nearjenin and five in an Air Strike in the al far� a Refugee Camp in thejordan valley. The Israeli Army claims it has killed nine palestinian terrorists. With reports of israeli Military Activity in tulkarm, jenin, nablus and tubas, its believed to be the first time in 20 years that at least four West Bank cities have been targeted simultaneously. Mohamed taha from Bbc Arabic explained why the West Bank is known as an occupied territory and how the area is governed. The West Bank is described as occupied by the un Security Council because this can in these areas were supposed to be palestinian areas. Also, the Oslo Treaty between the palestinians and israel are dedicating this area to be self controlled by the palestinian authority. And across the years, the israeli authorities approved many, establishing many settlements in the West Bank. The difference between the West Bank and gaza, that the West Bank has got israeli citizens, has got settlers. Their numbers are nearly half A Million people. And the situation is very fragile. Gaza has primarily palestinian people living there, but now with the israeli presence in gaza making things really difficult, and also, by separating Northern Gaza from Southern Gaza by the Netzarim Corridor is making things really difficult for the people there. Our Middle East correspondent, Yolande Knell, told us more about the operation. I mean, what weve been hearing from localjournalists, really, is its in terms of the scope as well as the scale of this, that its being compared to the days of the palestinian second intifada, or uprising, some two decades ago. I mean, its hard to get a lot of information. Cities likejenin, the main cities likejenin, the main entrances have been closed entrances have been closed off by israeli forces, off by israeli forces, preventing journalists preventing journalists from getting in. From getting in. But what weve been hearing but what weve been hearing from there is that israeli forces from there is that israeli forces are surrounding at least are surrounding at least two of the hospitals. Two of the hospitals. And weve also been Hearing Reports and weve also been Hearing Reports of Gun Battles going on in the urban of Gun Battles going on in the urban Refugee Camp there that has been Refugee Camp there that has been the subject of so many israeli the subject of so many israeli military raids in the past. Military raids in the past. That, of course, involving that, of course, involving palestinian armed groups and israeli soldiers. Being a counterterrorism operation, palestinian armed groups and israeli soldiers. But also, ongoing action in other but also, ongoing action in other places in tulkarm, in nablus, places in tulkarm, in nablus, in the north of thejordan valley, in the north of thejordan valley, where a palestinian Ambulance Crew where a palestinian Ambulance Crew say that after a drone strike, say that after a drone strike, theyve been struggling to reach theyve been struggling to reach some of those wounded, some of those wounded, because the israeli forces because the israeli forces are still present there as well. Are still present there as well. I mean, the israeli military has not i mean, the israeli military has not said very much officially said very much officially about what is going on. About what is going on. Its talked about this its talked about this being a counterterrorism operation, Yolande Knell in jerusalem. Yolande knell injerusalem. We do have a live page of what is happening in the West Bank on our website. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets turn to the United States now. Donald trump has accused the us Department Ofjustice of trying to � resurrect a dead Witch Hunt� , after it filed revised Election Interference charges against him. The allegations relate to mr trumps efforts to overturn his Loss Tojoe Biden four years ago. Government lawyers were forced to amend their case because of a landmark Supreme Court ruling, that former president s have broad immunity from criminal prosecution. The new indictment re works the language of the accusations. They now refer to his status as a political candidate, rather than sitting president. I spoke to cbs correspondentjarred hill. He told me more about the new indictment and how it could play out among voters. The interesting thing here is that in this new indictment, you do have the special counsel acknowledging that there are these certain levels of immunity that a president would have, according to that Supreme Court ruling. So, within this, they have taken out some of those specific references to some of the what could be considered the official actions of former President Trump when it comes to this allegation that he illegally tried to overturn the 2020 election results. Remember, these are four charges in this indictment. The charges themselves have not changed, but some of those details, references to things like his discussions with the Department Ofjustice, the allegations that he tried to get Hisjustice Department to conduct sham investigations, in telling states that there was significant fraud in the 2020 Election Evidence shows there was not significant fraud in that election. Trump has also denied any wrongdoing. So the question is going to be, exactly how far does this go and if this ends up back at the Supreme Court . And we Sand Vance Kick back against this. I guess the other question is, how is this going to play out with us voters in the upcoming president ial election . If i had a Crystal Ball to look into, i would be A Millionaire by now. What we do know, though, is that this is not an issue that has been largely moving the needle for republican voters. We have seen a lot of republican voters with all of the criminal cases that former President Trump has here in the us largely saying that this is, as he calls it, a Witch Hunt or a sham investigation. One of the questions, though, is going to be whether this has any impact on some of those Swing Voters that we see both former President Trump, as well as Vice President harris really trying to go after. Are there people here who are going to say, im just fed up with the investigations, or with the court cases centred around this former president . Let me just either vote for someone else or vote for no one. We dont know the answer to that quite yet. We have seen, though, many efforts by the trump legal team in the past to try and toss out some of these cases. Will they do that again . Likely. An aggressive strain of mpox, at the centre of a global health emergency, has been blamed for over A Thousand fatalites in the democratic republic of congo. At Gatumba Border crossing point, around 1,200 people move between the Drc And Burundi every day. Our africa correspondent, merchuma, has been to meet one family living just 20 minutes away, in bujumbura burundis biggest city. They have been heavily affected by mpox and are increasingly worried about its spread to one of africas poorest countries. Isolating at home and maintaining distance from others is almost impossible for many households here. There are ten houses in this compound, eachjust a room, and more than 50 people occupy this space, living in very close proximity to each other. So far, six people have tested positive for mpox, and others here say they are having milder symptoms of the disease. First, it was omar� S Brother who was infected with mpox. Omar� s five children also tested positive. Two of them were also admitted, but have since been discharged. Translation this disease, i heard people saying that it is from congo, and then i saw it on tv and heard about it on the radio. Then videos started being shared between phones of the people with the disease. So when i saw it on the kids, i quickly took them to the hospital. Burundi shares a border with the democratic republic of congo, the epicentre of several recent mpox outbreaks in africa. At least 500 people have died, and ia,000 suspected cases have been reported so far in the drc. This is the Gatumba Border point. On average, about 1,200 people cross here every day. On the other side of that barrier is uvira town, in eastern drc. And we have seen in one of the rooms here, Health Officials take temperature and do Temperature Checks for each of the people who are coming into burundi from drc. In burundi, there have been no recorded deaths, and it is not yet clear how deadly the current outbreak is, because there is not enough capacity to carry out testing in the affected areas. In compounds like omar� s where people live communally, in very cramped conditions there is a lot of fear because precautions like social distancing are almost impossible. Translation the kids that are sick, they play with our children, they share clothes and sleep in the same bed. We do not have space. Like me, i sleep with my two children and husband in this room. If you tell me to go sleep elsewhere or find another space for the child, its impossible. Omar� s children have been treated and discharged. But the worry is for those who have limited ability to keep themselves safe from this potentially deadly disease. Merchuma, bbc news, bujumbura, burundi. The United Nations has expressed concern about the enactment of a Morality Law by afghanistans ruling taliban that forbids women from singing, reciting poetry, or speaking aloud in public, and requires them to keep their faces and bodies covered at all times. The law has been approved by the Supreme Leader of the taliban. Since its approval, some Afghan Women in diaspora have responding to the restrictions by posting videos of themselves singing. Lets have a look. Women sing Afg Ha N Afghan Women Singing despite that law. My colleague, Zari Kargar has been follwoing this story, first she told me about the scial Media Reactions of women to the new regulations sot Afg Ha N Afghan Women have gone on social media, mostly Afghan Women in the diaspora who have freedom to post their videos and singing and voices on social media, mostly on twitter. Singing in front of mirrors. There are clips of women singing in groups like the one we saw. There are clips of women singing in groups of three. All singing mostly very national songs that afghanistan has come and everybody in afghanistan would know. And they have been protesting the new law imposed by the taliban, which restricts voices of women. It introduces a ban on what they wear. Also imposes restrictions on movement of women. I must say, these restrictions were already introduced by the taliban since they took power. Women, there were clear rules for women, power. Women, there were clear rules forwomen, how long, what power. Women, there were clear rules for women, how long, what distance they could travel. But now, the difference is that this has become law. The Supreme Leader has signed it, it has become law, and it gives powers to the Morality Police in afghanistan to detain individuals, to question individuals who dont follow these regulations. 50 to question individuals who dont follow these regulations. So does the morality follow these regulations. So does the Morality Police, follow these regulations. So does the Morality Police, have follow these regulations. So does the Morality Police, have they follow these regulations. So does| the Morality Police, have they got the Morality Police, have they got the facilities, are they implementing this now law . Just before implementing this now law . Jut before coming here, i spoke to a journalist in afghanistan who is in cardle at the moment and he said that the restrictions that they are mentioning in this law are not implemented yet kabul. The taliban have told the bbc afghan service they are working on a mechanism of how they implement these rules. For example, some women in afghanistan might not have legal guardians, they might be widows. What they are going to do in those cases . They have told the bbc afghan service they are working on a mechanism to implement a law. It also brings restrictions on men. Like there are bits where the law says that where a man where a man needs to grow a beard, there are restrictions on playing loud music in cars, so there are restrictions on citizens and the daily lives of afghans. On citizens and the daily lives of afr hans. ~ on citizens and the daily lives of afr hans. , i. , on citizens and the daily lives of af hans. , ~ y. ,. , on citizens and the daily lives of afuhans. , i. , , afghans. Thank you for bringing us u. Afghans. Thank you for bringing us U Toda afghans. Thank you for bringing us uo today with afghans. Thank you for bringing us up today with that. Ukraines leader, volodymyr zelensky, says the incursion into Russias Kursk Region is part of a Victory Plan he intends to present to President Biden next month. President zelensky said the main point of the plan was to force russia to end the war on fair terms. Ukraine claims to control 100 settlements in kursk. And almost 600 Prisoners Of War have been captured according to the head of the countrys military. But its warned that the situation on the Eastern Front is difficult, with russia transporting more troops and now controlling another village near the strategically important town of pokrovsk. Meanwhile, President Zelensky says the newly arrived F 16fighterjets provided by the west have been used to shoot down drones in recent attacks on ukrainian cities. Already, in this huge attack of russians, we destroyed already some missiles and drones using f 16. I am unsure how many, but we did it, thanks to partners that they gave it, gave us f 16s, provided to us. But again, its not enough. We are a small of f 16s, and we need to do wider training missions, etc. We have propositions to the United States. It depends on their permission. They have to be positive on it. They have to look at this real. Ukraines leader, zelensky. Volodymyr zelensky. The Opening Ceremony of the paralymic games is just hours away, taking place on Wednesday Evening in paris. There is the Arc De Triomphe, one of the many places the Paralympians Will Parade passed. This will behave outside a stadium for the first time, the Opening Stage of the paralympics. Athletes taking part in what is being described as a peoples parade, travelling past some of those really iconic landmarks like the Arc De Triomphe and the eiffel tower. They will travel between the Champs Elysees and the place de la concorde. Spectators will be able to watch for free along the route before the official parade in front of the Ticket Holders at the place de la concorde. So more details on all of that on our website. You can find also about lucy Shuker And Terry bywater, announced as great Britains Flagbearer is at the Opening Ceremony tonight. All of that and much more on our website. I want to take you to the Spanish Region in valencia where we are awaiting the traditional annual Tomato Festival where people throw tomatoes at each other. We have been watching somebody climb up a pole to get a hand. We were seeing that person just get a hand. We were seeing that Personjust Slide down get a hand. We were seeing that person just slide down the greasy pole. It is part of the tradition of the tomatina festival, where thousands of people gather to throw tomatoes at each other. This happens every year and we believe that this tradition has been taking place since around 19114, 19115. And it initially apparently started because some disgruntled townspeople started attacking councilman with tomatoes. And it has kind of grown ever since. We will bring you live Tomato Throwing when it actually happens. Youre watching bbc news. Hello again. Weve had some heavy showers this morning, particularly so across wales and south west england. Now, as we go through today, the Weather Front responsible for that will still be with us. Here it is, here its moving northwards into eastwards. Its the dregs of yesterdays Weather Front. And then we have another one coming in across the north west, introducing some heavy showers for Northern Ireland and western scotland. And you may well hear the Odd Rumble of thunder from those too. But in between these two areas, a lot of dry weather, some sunshine, areas of cloud floating around at times, but it will feel quite warm in the south eastern corner. We could reach 28 degrees today. Fresher across the north west, where were looking at 15 to about 18 degrees. Now, through this evening and overnight, everything pushes into the North Sea. Well have clear skies for a time, but then further showers come in across Northern Ireland and also western scotland, accompanied by breezy conditions. And its going to be a fresher Night Tonight than it was last night. Overnight lows, 9 to about 13 degrees. So we start tomorrow on a largely dry note, with some sunshine, but well have the showers continuing across Northern Ireland, Pushing Eastwards across scotland. We could even see a few getting into northern england. But move southwards, were into drier and sunnier conditions and were looking at highs up to 23. So, as i mentioned, feeling fresher. Then as we move through the week, on friday, we could start with a little bit of mist across parts of scotland, Northern Ireland and northern england, but again, a lot of dry weather around. Therell be areas of cloud coming in from the North Sea, at times, with an onshore breeze, and Temperatures 1a to about 2k degrees, so those temperatures slowly starting to come up. Then into the weekend, High Pressure still firmly in charge of our weather. This Weather Front here could bring some showers into Southern England later on sunday and overnight into monday. But on saturday, first of all, still a lot of dry weather around. Fair bit of sunshine. Some cloud at times coming in from the North Sea and up from france. That may well affect the temperatures. Looking at 22 degrees as our Top Temperature in london, 21 in glasgow. And then as we head into the outlook period, for sunday, starting with some Mist And Fog as well. Its later on sunday we could see some showers coming in, but a lot of settled weather too, with a few showers as we head through the new working week. This is bbc news, the headlines. Prime minister sir Keir Starmer is visiting berlin to discuss a new uk germany pact. Israel is carrying out a major Military Operation in the occupied West Bank. Reports say 11 palestinians are dead. Doctors are warning the Uk Government that there is a Vaping Epidemic and action must be taken to ban flavoured and disposable vapes to protect children. Today in paris, the 2024 Paralympic Games begin with the Opening Ceremony taking place across the city this evening. Sir Keir Starmer is visiting berlin where hes expected to say the uk has a once in a Generation Opportunity to reset its Post Brexit Relationship with europe. The british Prime Minister was welcomed by german chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Theyll begin negotiations on a new treaty, designed to deepen Trade Links and Boost Defence Co Operation between london and berlin. Anand menon is professor of European Politics at Kings College london and director of the think tank, uk in a changing europe. A short time ago i asked him how starmer can improve Trade Links with germany considering the trade restrictions. I think there are things they can do. There are issues within the competence of national