Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240921

We start in the middle east, where israel has launched fresh air strikes in southern lebanon, in what Security Sources there say, is some of the most intense bombing since the start of the Gaza War in october. These are the latest pictures of israeli strikes on the Southern Lebanese Border Village of rihan. The Israeli Military says its warplanes struck hundreds of hezbollah sites, including a weapons storage facility. It all comes after the leader of hezbollah a prescribed Terrorist Organisation by some western governments gave his first public reaction to the wave of attacks across lebanon. At least 37 people have been killed and thousands injured by Exploding Pagers and walkie talkies. Hassan nasrallah described the attacks as � a massacre� and said it could be called � a declaration of war�. Daniel de simone reports. With this weeks deadly explosions in lebanon, the conflict between Israel And Hezbollah has entered a dangerous new stage. Hezbollah� s leader gave his first response to the blasts targeting his members. Translation targeting his members. Tuna mom targeting his members. Translation . , ~ translation crime walls. A declaration translation crime walls. A declaration of translation crime walls. A declaration of war. Translation crime walls. A declaration of war. They translation crime walls. A declaration of war. They can L Declaration of war. They can call It Anything and it disturbs The Girl deserves those words. He disturbs The Girl deserves those words. Disturbs The Girl deserves those words. ,. , those words. He says hezbollah will not step those words. He says hezbollah will not stop fighting those words. He says hezbollah will not stop fighting until will not stop fighting until israel stops targeting gaza. As he spoke, Israeli Fighterjets flew low over beirut and carried out in southern lebanon. Hezbollah fired multiple rockets into israel. Israels Defence Minister reiterated the goal of returning 60,000 israelis displaced by the Rocket Fire to their homes. But how it can be achieved is unclear. Translation in achieved is unclear. Translation ,. , translation in the new Phase Ofthe Translation in the new phase of the war there translation in the new phase of the war there are of the war there are significant opportunities but also significant risks. Hezbollah feels persecuted. The sequence of our Military Actions will continue. Despite calls around actions will continue. Despite calls around the actions will continue. Despite calls around the world actions will continue. Despite calls around the world for actions will continue. Despite calls around the world for a l calls around the world for a deescalation in this conflict, the opposite appears to be happening. Lets speak to eyal mayroz, senior lecturer in Peace And Conflict studies at the university of sydney. Hello and welcome to the programme. Iwonder Hello And Welcome to the programme. I wonder if we could begin with, we have a us Security Council Meeting later today. Talk us through the legality of the attacks that took place earlier this week in lebanon. Although israel has not claimed responsibility the assumption is that it was israel responsible. Israel responsible. Good Morning Israel responsible. Good morning from israel responsible. Good morning from sydney. I israel responsible. Good morning from sydney. Certainly the questions around the legality of what had taken place will continue to be investigated and debated. The un human Rights Chief has already called for such an investigation and pointed to the likelihood of contraventions of the Human Rights Laws and international humanitarian law. But how far will any kind of legal proceeding taken how long it will take, i think well make it less important for what seeing now. My own perception is that, certainly, there was an indiscriminate factor to the attack because israel could not have foreseen who will be hurt by the explosions and certainly children have been affected and also maybe civilians such as medics and aid workers. So it seems like there is a chance that it was a breach of international law. There is a lot of discussion international law. There is a lot of discussion at international law. There is a lot of discussion at the international law. There is a lot of discussion at the moment about what could happen next. Talk us through the complexity of the dynamics at the moment both on the israeli and the lebanese side. It both on the israeli and the lebanese side. Lebanese side. It is very complicated lebanese side. It is very complicated indeed lebanese side. It is very complicated indeed because netanyahu has a strong say in anything that will take place but unlike In Gaza where most of the Military Command was in favour of going out against netanyahus directives and Neta Nyahus directives and preferences, netanyahus directives and preferences, it seems at the moment there is a wide agreement both among the military and the political leadership of israel and within the israeli public that the situation where more than 60,000 israelis had to leave their home one year ago and have not been able to return yet is impossible to maintain. There for because right wing extreme right Wing Government led by netanyahu is against any kind of ceasefire In Gaza which is what has boluses will be the opportunity for a ceasefire in lebanon as well, then the israelis are saying we have no alternative other than to take strong action. How far will they go on how far will hezbollah go, it is an important but difficult to answer question at the moment. Hezbollah will certainly hit badly in terms of command and control, their communication systems. So whether or not they are now ready to strike meaningfully beyond what they have done and what may continue to do is unclear but i would say that both sides have a vested interest against a full all out war, but these situations are very dangerous and very precarious and the best intentions can deteriorate very quickly. Best intentions can deteriorate very quickly very quickly. Thank you very much indeed. Footage has emerged from the occupied West Bank Town of qabatiya, showing israeli soldiers pushing dead bodies off a roof following a raid On Thursday that killed at least five palestinians. And a warning the footage we are about to show you contains distressing images which some of you might find upsetting. In this footage, that we havent independently verified, israeli soldiers are seen dragging several dead bodies and throwing them off the roof. In the same incident, soldiers were also seen using their feet to push the remaining bodies off the roof. In a statement the idf called it a serious incident that does not coincide with idf values and expectations. The idf says it is now reviewing the incident. More women have contacted the bbc, saying that they were assaulted by the late Mohammed Al fayed, when he was the boss of the luxury department store, harrods. More than 20 women who worked for him have already come forward as part of a Bbc Investigation accusing the egyptian billionaire, who died last year, of multiple counts of rape and attempted rape, during his 25 Year Reign at harrods. Many claim that during that time, the company helped Cover Up allegations of abuse. 0ur correspondent, Helena Wilkinson has this report and a warning that it contains descriptions of sexual violence. He tried to rape me more than once. And he pushed me in and onto the bed, so that i couldnt move. He was 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. When mohamed Al Fayed took over harrods, he quickly embraced his high Profile Role and the status that came with it. To his customers and the celebrity guests, he was all charm. But to many of his female employees, he was a different man a predator. Weve heard testimony from more than 20 of Al Fayeds female ex employees. I think mohamed Al Fayed is a rapist i think hes a serial rapist. Gemma worked as Al Fayeds Personal Assistant for two yea rs. Just didnt know which way to turn, so id bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket and these are the transcripts from those recordings. One of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. I said, i just want to go to sleep on my own. Mr fayed, i dont want to. Mr fayed. And he kept saying, relax. Please, relax. Not long after this incident, gemma says Al Fayed raped her. In 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer, who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. She didnt feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. They agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non disclosure agreement. There was also one other Condition Material was to be destroyed. It was shredded in front of us, including tapes i had of him. Someone from hr was present for the shredding of all of the evidence i had. I thought id lost the transcripts but actually, what i did have was the transcriptions sent to my lawyer in my sent items of my email account. In a statement, the current owners of harrods said they had watched the documentary and expressed sympathy towards the victims. Earlier today, they said they were utterly appalled at the allegations, and said that employees who were his victims had been failed, for which they sincerely apologised. They also said that the harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed. Since this morning, the bbc has been contacted by other former employees who alleged they, too, were attacked by Al Fayed. This woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, we are calling � melanie. I was sexually assaulted by being groped by Al Fayed At His Park Lane apartment. It was late in 2007. At the time, melanie was in her 20s and in herfirstjob. Last year, she told the police. The police then told me that they had intended to arrest him. They had enough evidence. But they couldnt because he was unwell. Tonight, the metropolitan police said they were aware of various allegations of sexual offences made over a number of years. Each one was investigated and no charges resulted. There were several attempts to expose Al Fayed before his death, but it is only now that many of the survivors feel able to speak publicly about the abuse they experienced. Helena wilkinson, Bbc News. We are expecting a Press Conference later this morning at 10am london time from mr Al Fayeds legal team and we will bring you live coverage of that here on Bbc News. And you can get more on this story by listening to the new season of � world of secrets, from the bbc world service, from wherever you get your bbc podcasts. You can also catch the full documentary � Al Fayed Predator At Harrods on the bbc iplayer. Around the world and across the uk. This is Bbc News. The number of identified russian fighters killed on the frontline in ukraine has hit 70,000. Thats according to bbc research. While official statistics may be hard to come by, an investigation by Bbc Russia and the independent russian Media Outlet Mediazona has been collating and identifying dead russian soldiers since the beginning of the war with ukraine. Our analysis reveals volunteers are increasingly older men with lower incomes, and are not surviving long in battle. 0lga ivshina reports. The faces of russian fighters killed in ukraine are changing. Now more and more men in their 40s, 50s and even 60s Volunteering for the frontline. This 62 year old was one of them. Before he volunteered he had two jobs. Them. Before he volunteered he had twojobs. Fighting them. Before he volunteered he had two jobs. Fighting for russia he owned seven times what it did before. Russian authorities have repeatedly increased Signup Bonuses to attract men like him. He died this year in february. We dont know where exactly but thousands of kilometres away from his home in russia. Last month russian forces faced a ukrainian offensive in kursk, the first on russian territory. The kremlin claims the setback encouraged more volunteers to sign up to fight. There are no official figures sign up to fight. There are no officialfigures on the sign up to fight. There are no official figures on the numbers official figures on the numbers of russians killed so since the start of the war the bbc and its partner, Medias Owner have been trying to build a picture of what is happening on the front lines. We have been using photos of graves, Social Media posts and News Articles to uncover the scale of russian loss. So far we have managed to verify that 72,000 russian troops have died since the start of the war. Recent figures also show that for the first time the largest group of men dying of volunteers, not regular soldiers or convicts but men who signed up after the start of the full Scale Invasion in february 2022. A study from the russian Minister Of Defence seen by the bbc suggests that many of those deaths could be avoided with better first aid and medical care. ,. , better first aid and medical care. ,. , care. They are fighting a battle where care. They are fighting a battle where they care. They are fighting a battle where they are i care. They are fighting a L Battle where they are not prepared and may not have the needed equipment to fight. There is not sufficient preparation and there are also Equipment Shortages or not existent equipment. Existent equipment. These. Ra hs existent equipment. These graphs show existent equipment. These graphs show how existent equipment. These graphs show how losses i existent equipment. These graphs show how losses ofi graphs show how losses of russian troops were distributed since the start of the war. Moscow continues to use so called mid tactics, trying to wear down ukrainian forces and volunteers now are used at the most challenging parts of the most challenging parts of the frontline. 0ur the most challenging parts of the frontline. Our data shows that volunteers are now dying at the faster rate than in the first two years of the war. This spike in the number killed coincides with the russian offence in the east of ukraine. It was one of the deadliest confrontations in this war. Having lost thousands of troops, russia was able to take the ruins in early 202a. As our count only includes deaths reported publicly, the true figure of losses is significantly higher. Asked for comment, the russian government did not respond. Earlier this Year Ukraine acknowledged 31,000 soldiers had been killed but estimates from the us intelligence suggests that number is higher. Moscow continues to push on, willing to exchange thousands of lives for small pieces of scattered land. China has been supporting the militaryjunta in myanmar since the start of the war. But now that rebel ethnic armies are Making Gains in the north near the chinese border, analysts are suggesting beijing might play a peace broker role. Laura bicker has been given rare access to a chinese town on the border with myanmar. For families with the right paperwork, the chinese City Of Ruili has become a safe haven. The few that make it through from myanmar with their precious blue and red Work Passes are searching for peace and have hopes of prosperity. Cross border traders try to sell goods from their homeland but its hard to make a living in a city where so many are just glad to be alive. Translation whats happening in myanmar right now is really, really cruel. I dont know when things can start to improve. I hope some decent people can tell all sides to stop fighting so the ordinary people can suffer less. Otherwise, its really tragic for us. You know, the bombshells hit hospitals. People were killed, including women giving birth there. Another border checkpoint. China fortified this once porous border during the pandemic but higher Walls Cant protect it from myanmar� s brutal civil war. In the last two months, armed insurgents have stepped up theirfight against the military regime. A beijing brokered ceasefire was ripped apart. Thousands have fled the fighting. Much of the land you see behind me, these vast swathes of northern myanmar, are no longer ruled by the countrys military regime. Instead, theyve been taken by armed ethnic groups who also control major ports and major cities. Now, this is a critically important Trade Route to china, which is now having to grapple with this conflict on its doorstep. It is the only major country with the power, with the influence, to help end this crisis in myanmar. China is holding regular military exercises along the border. State media said this is to maintain order. Theres also been a flurry of diplomacy to push myanmar� s rulers to hold promised elections. Nothing looks open. Strict covid lockdowns ravaged ruilis economy. Beijing desperately needs stability to restart trade. Many lives depend on it. After long shifts making Car Parts and clothes, these burmese workers can relax. Theyve been brought from myanmar as cheap labour for chinese factories. Translation there is nothing we can do because war is happening in myanmar. Everything is expensive. Everywhere, there is a battle going on and everyone has to run because of war. Their work here comes with conditions. Their movements are often restricted. And while theirfuture is in chinese hands, beijing will be considering how Big A part its willing to play in the fate of their homeland. Laura bicker, Bbc News, ruili. The city of springfield in ohio hit the headlines last week when Donald Trump wrongly claimed that immigrants from haiti were eating pet cats and dogs. Now the republican candidate says hes planning to visit springfield on the campaign trail. City leaders say theyd prefer him to stay away and some residents are worried about far right activists gathering there as they try to cope with the impact mr trumps remarks have had on their city. 0ur North America editor Sarah Smith is in springfield. 0n the menu today, it is beef stew, as some of springfields haitian Population Line up for a free meal along with other hungry residents. Have a blessed day its the haitians who have been the target of completely false stories about eating pets, as Donald Trump is relocating his anti immigration campaign from the southern Border And Right into the heart of american cities with large immigrant populations like springfield. Over 60 Million viewers heard donald Trump Repeat a baseless rumour about animals being stolen. In springfield, theyre eating the dogs the people that came in theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating. Theyre eating the pets of the people that live there. The consequence in springfield has been far right white supremacists the proud boys marching through the streets and schools and hospitals have been targeted with bomb threats, spreading fear through the city. Translation everything he says, itsjust the new firestorm. This haitian man feels so intimidated he doesnt want his face to be shown as he describes his life in springfield now. Translation im scared to go out with my kids because i dont want them to be victims if someone decides to attack me suddenly. I feel unsafe literally everywhere at home, on the street, and especially when im out with my kids. Automated voice please press 5 if you dispute this denial. Many of the haitian arrivals need help with translation, and the huge influx of up to 20,000 migrants in one small city has caused tensions and strained resources. The city says it needs more money to help assimilate people who are fleeing from gang warfare. We have been overrun with the haitians who have come in and we do need help. And the next administration will have to figure something out. According tojesus, the Kingdom Of Heaven is for people who welcome immigrants. Pastor ruby is preaching Love And Understanding via facebook posts. I cant imagine being forced to leave my country by the type of violence thats happening in haiti and then come to a place like Ohio And Experience the kinds of things they are. It just. It breaks my heart. Most of springfields haitian residents are here legally, but Donald Trump is still threatening mass deportations. Donald trump is being mocked by his opponents for spreading untrue stories about the fate of pets in springfield. But at the same time he has also focused attention on immigration, his signature issue. And while he may be spreading fake news, at the same time he is convincing some voters that theyre in danger from the migrants who are living in towns and cities across america. So im going to springfield and im going to aurora. You may never see me again, but thats ok. Got to do what i got to do. Fear travels fast, and americans are already worried about immigration. Most trump voters do not really believe the tales of pets being eaten, and they will overlook his gross exaggerations if they feel someone is listening to their concerns. Sarah smith, Bbc News, springfield, ohio. And before we go, a bit of Baseball News for you now. Japans Shohei 0htani has made mlb history. Hes become the first player to hit 50 Home Runs and steal more than 50 bases in a single season. The la Dodgers Slugger completed the feat against the miami marlins. 0htani is the worlds highest paid athlete of any sport. We will just show you a we willjust show you a live short of beirut. The focus in this middle East Conflict has now turned to those airstrikes by israel in southern lebanon. Security sources say that this is possibly some of the most intense bombing since the start of the Gaza War in october. If you want the latest details on this head to the website, the Bbc News website and the latest article there for you. Stay with us, Business News is up next. Hello, there. For some parts of the uk, there is a big change on the way, weather wise, particularly in the south where, On Thursday, we saw a lot of sunshine. Temperatures in london got above 26 celsius. But were watching this area of low pressure swirling up from the south, increasingly bringing some showers and thunderstorms over the next few days, snd the rainfall is really going to accumulate. Some spots could be looking at around a Months Worth of rain from these intense downpours and thunderstorms. However, only really in the south further north, it remains largely dry. The best of the sunshine across north west england, northern ireland, western scotland. Eastern scotland, North East England likely to be plagued by a lot of cloud, which will make it feel rather cool. And actually, that cloud has been rolling its way a long way inland, taking its time to burn back towards the East Coast through the day on friday, but it should do. Staying quite murky, though, for parts of eastern scotland, northeast england. And then, down towards the south of england, perhaps into the midlands, wales, we will see some of these showers and thunderstorms popping up, some of which will give a lot of rain in a short space of time. 23 degrees in london. Just 15 if The Cloud lingers there in aberdeen. And as we go through friday night, that cloud again rolls a little bit further inland. Still the chance for some showers and thunderstorms rumbling around across the channel islands, getting back into southern counties of england. A mild Night Forjust about all of us, a mild start to the weekend. And again on saturday, down towards the south, well see these showers and thunderstorms across southern counties of england into east anglia, the midlands, parts of wales. But for northern england, northern ireland, western scotland, well see some sunshine. Eastern scotland, North East England still plagued by that cloud, perhaps the Odd Spot of drizzle. Could be quite misty and murky around some of the coasts. And temperatures, if anything, coming down a little bit from where they have been. And then into sunday, it looks like well see some slightly more persistent, heavy, thundery rain, again affecting southern parts of the uk, east anglia, the midlands, wales. Further north from there, largely dry. Best of the sunshine in the northwest, more cloud into the northeast, so the pattern continues. But a change in the Weather Pattern next week it does turn really quite unsettled. Showers or longer spells of rain, could be quite windy, and it turns quite a lot colder as well. Rates rally. Wall street hits record highs on the back of the feds jumbo Rate Cut. Counting the cost of europes deadly floods. We take a look at the economic impact of the biggest flooding to hit the region in decades. And cutting back on corporate charity. Claims donations from the uks biggest companies are not keeping up with profits. Live from london, this is business today. Im lukwesa burak. We start in the us, where its been a Bumper Record breaking day on Wall Street on the back of the Central Bank the Federal Reserve slashing the cost of borrowing. The feds bold interest Rate Cut of half a percentage point