Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News at Six 20240928

And coming up in sportsday later in the hour on Bbc News. England are tring to force a decider against australia in their one day series, they are batting first at lords. Good evening. Welcome to beirut. Within the past few hours, multiple blasts have reverberated through beirut. The israeli Defence Force says it is targeting hezbollah� s Central Headquarters in dahieh. And potentially their leader. Its a built up, Densely Populated area, and the images were seeing suggest widespread destruction. In a moment well talk to Hugo Bachega in south beirut. And well hearfrom Jeremy Bowen injerusalem. But with the latest on this fast moving story, heres orla guerin. Explosions israel has struck beirut with a series of massive explosions. Its hard to imagine a bigger escalation or a starker picture of war. And here was the aftermath. The Hezbollah Stronghold of dahieh in the Southern Suburbs, now looking like gaza. Many lebanese fear thats where things are headed. The Israeli Military says it targeted hezbollah� s hq. Moments ago, the Israel Defense forces carried out a precise strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah Terror Organisation that served as the epicentre of hezbollah� s terror. Hezbollah� s Central Headquarters was intentionally built under residential buildings in the heart of the dahieh in beirut, as part of hezbollah� s strategy of using lebanese people as human shields. Some israeli media are reporting that the target of the strike was the hezbollah leader, sheikh hassan nasrallah, but thats unconfirmed. Pro regime media in iran are saying hes in a safe place and was not affected. Several buildings have been brought down in beirut and hospitals are now appealing for blood donors. Orla guerin, Bbc News, southern lebanon. Though strikes came just a few hours after israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, gave a defiant speech at the Un General Assembly in New York, making no mention of the Ceasefire Deal mooted in the last few days between israel and hezbollah, instead saying they would continue to attack hezbollah until people who had had to leave their homes in the north of israel were able to return home. With the latest, here is tom bateman. The israeli leader walked straight into the question all the diplomats here at the un are asking. Prime minister netanyahu, are you agreeing to a Cease Fire Deal or not . And he wasnt answering it in the hall, either. Instead, this was defiant and a vow for hezbollah� s backers. I have a message for the tyrants of tehran, if you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in iran that the long arm of Israel Cannot reach, and that is true of the entire middle east. Watching were some relatives of israeli hostages held in gaza. Mr netanyahu didnt mention diplomacy, saying only, surrender by hamas would be enough to stop israels offensive. And he made no mention of the us call for a truce with lebanon, instead saying Hezbollah Rocket Fire had to stop. Yet israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for nearly a year. Well, ive come here today to say enough is enough chanting palestine will be free and where Mr Netanyahu goes, so does dissent against israels military offensives. Now lebanese flags join the palestinian ones. They accuse the us of keeping the weapons flowing to israel, despite Mr Netanyahu ignoring much of what america has wanted. First over gaza, now they believe hes Making A Mockery of the us� s calls for a truce in lebanon. That sentiment was being shared inside the un, too. Lebanons Foreign Minister said the current crisis threatened his countrys existence. It will be impossible to extinguish the flames of this crisis which will engulf the region, he said. After Mr Netanyahu vowed to continue israels strikes in lebanon, multiple explosions were heard in beirut. And despite the diplomacy in the us, neither side is backing down. Tom bateman, Bbc News, at the united nations in New York. I want to take you live nowjust a few kilometres away from here to the Southern Suburbs of beirut, and our correspondence you go is there. What are you seeing . find Correspondence you go is there. What are you seeing . Are you seeing . And i, we are ust outside dahieh, i are you seeing . And i, we are ust outside dahieh, hezbollahsh outside dahieh, hezbollah� s stronghold here in southern beirut, not far from the site of these attacks. They are scared and there was panic year, angry crowds just trying to leave dahieh. We have seen families carrying bags with their belongings. We tried to set up a position just near here and then a group of men came and stopped us from filming. It is now a very tense situation here in southern beirut, and again another major escalation in this conflict. And again another Maor Escalation in this conflict. In this conflict. Hugo, thank you forjoining in this conflict. Hugo, thank you forjoining us in this conflict. Hugo, thank you forjoining us from in this conflict. Hugo, thank you forjoining us from dahieh. In this conflict. Hugo, thank you forjoining us from dahieh. As. In this conflict. Hugo, thank you | forjoining us from dahieh. As he was saying, that area very close to though strikes in southern beirut. Well, we can speak to our international editorJeremy Bowen. We saw that speech from benjamin to know who you Benjamin Netanyahu in New York and now these very significant strikes in beirut. Yeah, its a few hours significant strikes in beirut. Yeah, its a few hours ago significant strikes in beirut. Yeah, its a few hours ago people significant strikes in beirut. Yeah, its a few hours ago people were l its a few hours ago people were wondering if netanyahu might even stand up at the un and say, perhaps we are thinking about a ceasefire. I think what happened in beirut, and his office have released photographs of him supposedly authorising the strike from what looks like a hotel room, presumably in New York. I think that is an absolute sign that a ceasefire is not on israels agenda. The tone of his speech, also very much said that. I think the view in israel, in the government and in the army, is that they have scored some very significant victories against hezbollah, their most obdurate enemy, and they would be mad at this point too, if you like, take the boot of the throat of this organisation, give them 21 Days Truce to try and recover themselves, see what is going on, may be plan things against the israelis. Now, big decisions lie ahead. First of all, from the Point Of View of hezbollah and hassan nasrallah, who was presumably the target today, and we havent heard what state he is in or where he is. There has been a welter of contradictory reports. He is going to have to decide, and dont forget, he has lost almost all of his top lieutenants, what he does with his organisations remaining arsenal. Do they use it against israel in the way that many people in israel for your . And also the israelis have to decide what happens next. They have already talked about a ground operation, and offensive, an invasion of southern lebanon. Whilst they havent mobilised all the reserves they might need, that is something that is absolutely on their agenda. Those diplomats in the west among israels allies who are hoping to try and calm things, i think right now they will be looking at events with a lot of this may and also a sense of powerlessness, that the military imperative here is moving, as so often happens, much, much faster than diplomats and political leaders are able to do. I believe israel thinks it has the upper hand here and it wants to push home its advantage. Jeremy, thank you forjoining us live from jerusalem. Our international editor, Jeremy Bowen. We find ourselves in a situation as night falls here in beirut where we have another significant escalation, a series of large strikes which we heard and felt here in the heart of the lebanese capital, and all eyes now will be on what happens next. Anna, thank you very much. My colleague, anna foster, there. Dame Maggie Smith, star of the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89. A legend of stage and screen, she won two oscars during her career, the first for the prime of Missjean Brodie in 1970, and the second for California Suite in 1979. In the last few minutes the king has paid tribute. Our Culture Editor Katie razzall looks back at her life. That was bloody brilliant. Thank you for that that was bloody brilliant. Thank you for that assessment, mr weasley. The har for that assessment, mr weasley. Harry potter for that assessment, mr weasley. Tie Harry Potter films introduce dame Harry Potterfilms introduce Dame Maggie Smith to a whole new Generation. I Maggie Smith to a whole new Generation Maggie Smith to a whole new aeneration. , ,. , Generation. I am in the Business Of Auttin old Generation. I am in the business of putting old heads Generation. I am in the business of putting old heads on Generation. I am in the business of putting old heads on young putting old heads on young shoulders. Putting old heads on young shoulders. 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Quick, come here, what is that quick, come here, what is that there . Quick, come here, what is that there . , quick, come here, what is that there . , g there . Jane Doody Dame Judi dench, how there . Jane Doody Dame Judi dench, how contemporary there . Jane Doody Dame Judi dench, how contemporary and l there . Jane Doody Dame Judi dench, how contemporary and equal, was a lifelong friend. You dench, how contemporary and equal, was a lifelong friend. Was a lifelong friend. You are Alwa S was a lifelong friend. You are always asked was a lifelong friend. You are always asked first, if was a lifelong friend. You are always asked first, if i was a lifelong friend. You are always asked first, if i may i was a lifelong friend. You are | always asked first, if i may say was a lifelong friend. You are always asked first, if i may say so. Its all coming out now. That always asked first, if i may say so. Its all coming out now. Its all coming out now. That drolL Wit and waspish its all coming out now. That drolL Wit and waspish humour its all coming out now. That drolL Wit and waspish humour became L Wit and waspish humour became her trademark, a Scene Stealer is the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey. Of course, i will have the weekend. We will discuss this later. We mustnt bore we will discuss this later. We mustnt bore the ladies. What is a weekend . Mustnt bore the ladies. What is a weekend . ,. ,. ,. Weekend . Have you ever watched Downton Abbey . Downton abbey . Laughter have you not . Laughter have ou not . �. , have you not . Ive got the box set. Wi to have you not . Ive got the box set. Witty to the have you not . Ive got the box set. Witty to The End have you not . Ive got the box set. Witty to The End. The have you not . Ive got the box set. Witty to The End. The king witty to The End. The king said tonight, the curtain has gone down on a national treasure. Dame Maggie Smith, whos died, aged 89. Two boys have been sentenced to life, with a minimum of eight and a half years in custody, for killing a stranger with a machete in a park in wolverhampton. The boys were 12 years old at the time, and they are the uks youngest knife murderers. They launched an unprovoked attack last november on 19 year old shawn seesahai, who came To Britain from anguilla. Phil mackies report contains distressing detail. This is the last image of shawn seesahai, taken a few minutes before he was fatally attacked. Hed come to the uk from his home in the Caribbean Island Of Anguilla for treatment after suffering a detached retina playing basketball. He was repeatedly stabbed in a savage attack after an encounter with the 12 year olds. After i hear that call that says shawn got stabbed, i dont know what happened after. I think i maybe threw the phone down, i dont know, i cant remember what happened. I, like, was left in shock. Just hours before it was used to take his life, One Of The Boys posed for this photo with the machete. It was nearly a foot and a half long and was found hidden under one of their beds. They chopped his leg, they chopped his arm, they chopped a piece of his head out. They stabbed him through and through. They killed my son like they are killing a dog or something, you know . Because they were so young, in court the judge and barristers didnt Wear Wigs and gowns, and specially trained Staff And Family members sat with the boys for support. Today they were told they must serve at least eight and a half years before they could be released. It is then for the Parole Board to decide when a defendant can leave custody, and their decision depends on a Defendants Behaviour in custody and whether it is safe for that person to leave custody. Shawn was only 19 when his life was taken at the hands of two boys, then aged just 12, who had armed themselves with a machete. It is both shocking and saddening. The Seesahais Couldnt afford to come to the uk for todays sentencing. Theyd spent all their savings coming here for the five week trial. Shawns body was repatriated, and he was cremated, and his family came here to one of his favourite spots to scatter his ashes. But half a world away from the uk, they are still struggling to cope with what happened. Its so hard right now. I cant even explain, but its very hard now. It brings back all memory, from the day he died and everything i did, and bring his ashes here, its so hard. The family watched today via video link. But whatever happens to the boys who killed him, nothing will bring their son back. I have spoken to the parents this afternoon. They are angry and upset, they felt the sentence was too lenient and it wont, they say, act as a deterrent. They are well aware of the Knife Crime problems we have in this country. The West Midlands has the highest rate of Knife Crime in england and wales. Most importantly they say it doesnt reflect the loss they have suffered. Studio phil mackie, thank you. The time is 6 17. Our top story this evening huge explosions rocked the lebanese capital of beirut as israel says it is targeting hezbollah headquarters. Mohamed al fayed, accused by numerous women of sexual offences we report on the international scale of his alleged crimes. Coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on Bbc News. Weve had the draw for the group stages in the womens champion league celtic, who have made it through to this stage of the ciomeption for the fisrt time, will face wsl champions cheslea. More than 170 Flood Warnings and alerts are still in force more than 160 Flood Warnings and alerts are still in force in england after Heavy Rain caused Flash Flooding and disruption to travel, affecting some areas for a second time this week. The M5 Motorway in gloucestershire was among the roads closed, and rail services were suspended from shropshire to wolverhampton. Joe inwood has more. This is what days of torrential rain has done to bedford. From above, you get a sense of the scale. From the ground, of the Damage Water can do. So this is probably as far as i can go in these wellies, but those guys in their waders can get all the way down, and thats lucky because you go a few houses further and they are getting properly flooded. Its a fate Toms House managed to avoid, but onlyjust. And he knows the danger has not gone away. Were still really concerned. Again, Rainfall Last Night means that in the next couple of days we are still going to be experiencing more water coming down. We hope its Moving On, and all the signs show that it is possibly going to move down and give us that little bit of relief. But this is still going to be until next week that we are having the impact of this water coming down. Its been a picture repeated across large parts of england. In telford, the local Football Club was left under several feet of water just hours before a match was supposed to take place. Shefford in bedfordshire sits between two rivers. The local mayor said they had never seen flooding like this. While in all stretton in shropshire, a Care Home had to be evacuated during the night after the weight of water caused a wall to collapse. Back in kempston, the rescue teams are still on the ground. They been here since wednesday, making sure that as many properties as possible are protected. Its something they say we are going to have to get used to. I think each household needs to undertake a proper Risk Assessment of flooding, even if they think its not likely to happen to them. Actually, just do a proper assessment, look at it, be aware that there is a reality that it is going to be flooded. In truth, Todays Flooding has generally caused inconvenience, not catastrophe, but its not over yet. And in the time we have been here, the Water Level has definitely gone down. But in the last 20 minutes or so the Environment Agency has said a Flood Warning are still in place here and in many other places. Thats not because of rain expected in the coming days but of rain that has already fallen in rivers like the great ouse. They know when that water gets here these waters could rise again. Studio joe inwood, thank you. In the united states, Storm Helene has claimed at least 15 lives. It made landfall in florida last night as a category 4 hurricane, leaving neighbourhoods submerged, and homes ablaze. Helene is now moving across georgia, where the national Weather Service has issued flash Flood Warnings, saying more than A Million people are at risk. As the hurricane headed towards the coast of florida yesterday, the us Coast Guard mounted this dramatic rescue of a man and his dog whose boat had got into trouble in the rough seas. They were airlifted to safety, are said to be in good medical condition, and even shared a high five with rescuers for a job well done. French prosecutors are being urged to launch an investigation into allegations of rapes and Sexual Assault by Mohamed Al fayed at the paris ritz. Victims have spoken of their rage over what they claim was a cult like management at the hotel which enabled his attacks. The bbc understands at least five more women have come forward with new claims of incidents in france. The ritz have not provided any additional comment in response to these claims. Andrew harding reports from paris. The ritz still a Paris Landmark and still owned today by Mohamed Al fayeds family. It was here, of course, back in 1997 that Princess Diana spent her last evening with al fayeds son, dodi, before their deaths. But today The Ritz is facing a very different form of scrutiny. Kristina svensson, who began working at the hotel in 1998, has already told of her abuse by al fayed in a bbc documentary. He enjoyed. I guess the fear in my eyes, or our eyes. Now shes campaigning forjustice. We are in enough of a rage that nothing is going to stop us. She believes at least 50 people working at the hotel alongside her knew of the abuse. And people need to decide if they were culpable in any way. If they chose to remain silent, they need to understand that the legal teams that we have will leave no stone unturned. The ritz has made only one short comment last week, condemning behaviour that does not align with its values. The bbc approached The Ritz about the most recent allegations but they did not provide any additional comment. We understand that within the past few days, at least six more women have come forward with new allegations about what happened here in france. And the focus in paris, as In London now, is notjust on Mohamed Al fayed but on those around him who may have either covered up or enabled his crimes. A french lawyer is now urging prosecutors here to investigate. If there are a lot of women, the prosecutor has the moral duty to open an investigation. A lot of people could have known what happened. Some of them couldnt speak. I can understand that, but others maybe tried to help al fayed to commit his crimes, so thats why its very important we identify them. But that could be a long process, which may yet depend on how many people here decide its time to speak out. Andrew harding, Bbc News, paris. There needs to be significant change in how Police Forces in england and wales respond to reports of stalking according to review by Police Watchdogs. It says there needs to urgent action to report the handling of urgent cases and too often victims are failed. Our special Correspondent Lucy manning has more. Wafah chkaifi was stalked, then murdered. All shes going to be to the police, a statistic, but to us shes not a statistic, you know . She was a sister, she was a mother. The 43 year old had reported her Ex Partner Leon mccaskie to the police, leading to a stalking protection order. But he broke it and then wasnt arrested, leaving him free to kill. That confidence has completely been lost by so many women. And she is not the first and shes not going to be the last. So clearly theres an issue. Do you think the failure to deaL With the Stalking Led directly to your Cousins Death . Yeah. 100 . So i think they need to change the stereotype that stalking isjust a small thing, when its not. And actually take it seriously, to stop the stalking from leading to murder. Now the Police Watchdog has found cases like wafahs arent being taken seriously enough, and the police need to make significant changes. We are finding, unfortunately, the victims are not receiving the service that they should consistently. In many cases, investigations are inconsistent and they are not being believed. From the outside It Looks like a non violent domestic it isnt. If you actually take a step back, its a stalking. In east london, officers are being trained. Although the report found the Polices Understanding of stalking is improving, some victims, they said, were being left at serious risk, the law on stalking needs to change and Chief Constables need to act now to ensure cases are properly investigated. I think what the report demonstrates is that Front Line Officers dont understand the way that stalking shows itself. So we need to train Police Officers to recognise the course of conduct and the context of those behaviours, because thats what actually shows you that this is stalking, the psychological terror its causing the victims. The police accept change is needed to protect the vulnerable victims. The report in response to this super complaint shows that on occasions women and victims of stalking have been let down. But we also found good practice and we are also making a number of very clear recommendations about how we make this better for the future. Their failures on Stalking Leave Women at risk and have very real consequences. Her contagious laugh. Her smile. She was beautiful. Yeah, she was honestly irreplaceable. To us. Our lives will never be the same. Never. Lucy manning, Bbc News. Its been one year since the Sycamore Tree beside Hadrians Wall in northumberland was hacked down. It sparked national outrage and two men were charged on suspicion of criminal damage. But from its ruins, fresh seeds of hope. In a greenhouse based in a secret location, 49 saplings have been grown from twigs and seeds recovered from the tree, and are now being released by the national trust to communities across the uk. Harriet bradshaw has been to find out where some of the new sycamores will grow. When something that meant so much to people was hacked down, it felt like The End of the Sycamore Gap Tree. But months later, careful Grafting And Sowing of young twigs and seeds has led to this, a little forest of saplings. But the question now is, where will their new homes be . Each tree will go to a very special place. One of the first will be planted here in memory of 12 year old fergus. Everybody, its fergus from yardy� s cricket channel. And today were going to be looking at the sweep shot. Lets go. Fergus was an absolute delight. It was a joy and a real privilege to be his mum. Fergus was planning a trip to walk Hadrians Wall, along which the Sycamore Gap Tree was nestled. But he never made it. Yesterday, they gave me some news. I have some sort of cancer in my leg. Your worst fear after your child dies is that hell be forgotten. Theres something about the story of the new life being created from the Sycamore Gap that made me think of all all the children affected by childhood cancer, and how they deserve so much better. They deserve a second chance of life. Harriet bradshaw reporting. Time for a look at the weather. Heres chris fawkes. Earlier we were hearing about how bad the flooding has been across a swathe of the south midlands. This is one of the communities in warwickshire badly impacted by the flooding. At the moment there are 58 flooding. At the moment there are 58 Flood Warnings, really concentrated upon this part of the world, across the midlands. Why is that . Looking at how much rain has fallen here so far this month, bedfordshire and parts of oxwich other, they have had three or four times the average september rainfall, so this is extreme rain. Parts of oxfordshire. We have some chilly north westerly Wind Diving south across the uk, bring showers draped around the coasts overnight. Many inland areas will have drier weather with clear skies. It will be a cold night with temperatures quite widely in the countryside getting down to 15 c with in the countryside getting down to 1 5 c with patches of frost possible in Eastern Scotland and northern england. Tomorrow in scotland there will be a weak Weather Front moving west to east bringing cloudy skies and a few patches of rain, most of it quite polite with showers following later in the day. A few showers following in Northern Ireland and few other parts of North And West wales. Temperatures 5 degrees below average, 17, the average in edinburgh, will be 12 tomorrow afternoon. The second half of the weekend is dominated by the second Weather System Moving On off the atlantic. A zone of strong wind coming into wales and south West England where gusts are likely to reach 50 or 60 mph. The rain starts returning, not great news for the flooded areas given the ground is completely saturated. We could see further impact in one or two areas as we go through Sunday Night and into monday as well. Monday, still some rain left over from the system. Should clear through and then the weather will get brighter but it will stay on the chilly side. Thanks, chris. And thats Bbc News at six. Now its time to join our colleagues for the news where you are