Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News at Six 20241001

There are Reports Tonight that a us official says israel intends to launch a Ground Offensive in lebanon, which could begin as soon as today. Israeli tanks are gathering by the countrys northern border. Israels Defence Minister, who was visiting troops today, told them the next phase of the war will begin soon. Hezbollah has said its prepared for all out war. Lets go straight to lebanon and the capital beirut, anna foster. There is a realfeeling of momentum in the Middle East tonight, after the israeli Defence Minister told his troops on the board at that the military would use force by air, Sea And Land to achieve the aim of returning displaced israelis back to their homes. They said the killing in beirut of the hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah was not the final step. There have been reports that israeli Special Forces had launched some raids inside lebanon but that has not been confirmed. Lucy williamson has been to northern israel and sent this report. Israels army is moving closer to a Ground Invasion. The lebanese borderjust a couple of miles away the next redline in this war. Tens of thousands of forces moved up from gaza were told by the Chief Of Staff that they would soon step on enemy soil. And tonight, reports from us media that a limited Ground Invasion could start as soon after today. At the border, Israels Defence minister kept up the suspense. Israel would use all means required to return the evacuated communities to their homes. Forces from the air, the sea and on land. Israel has been talking up its readiness to launch a Ground Offensive against hezbollah, but sending these tanks across the border would mean a very different kind of battle to the Air And Intelligence its relied on so far. Fighting hezbollah on territory it controls, territory where its been planning a confrontation like this for years. In this border town, they watched israel step up its offensive this month against hezbollah leaders, communications and its weapons. Many say they shouldnt stop there. See all this, all say they shouldnt stop there. See all this, all this say they shouldnt stop there. See all this, all this is say they shouldnt stop there. it all this, all this is from now. These are all the Alert Siren to get to warn you there might be something coming over the border to avoid you . Yes, when we have rockets, i dont have the time to go to the safe place. I dont have the time. What place. I dont have the time. What needs to happen place. I dont have the time. What needs to happen for place. I dont have the time. What needs to happen for you place. I dont have the time. What needs to happen for you to place. I dont have the time. What needs to happen for you to feel safe . To needs to happen for you to feel safe . , ~. Needs to happen for you to feel safe . , ~. ,. , ,. , safe . To kill all the terrorists and finish. Finish safe . To kill all the terrorists and finish. Finish this safe . To kill all the terrorists and finish. Finish this situation. Safe . To kill all the terrorists and finish. Finish this situation. Everyi finish. Finish this situation. Every da , finish. Finish this situation. Every day. Rockets. Finish. Finish this situation. Every day, rockets, rockets, finish. Finish this situation. Every day, rockets, rockets, rockets. Finish. Finish this situation. Every| day, rockets, rockets, rockets and The American said, dont. Dont, dont The American said, dont. Dont, dont come The American said, dont. Dont, dont. Come on, come on, boom, Boom And Whaling dont. Come on, come on, boom, Boom And Whaling it dont. Come on, come on, boom, Boom And Whaling. It is not a lie. Lsreals and whaling. It is not a lie. Isreals Prime Minister often proud of defying his allies, is looking beyond hezbollah to its backer, iran, warning against any retaliation from tehran. There is no where in the middle retaliation from tehran. There is no where in the middle East Retaliation from tehran. There is no where in the Middle East that retaliation from tehran. There is no where in the Middle East that israel cannot reach. There is no way we will not go to protect our people and protect our country. With every passing moment their regime is bringing you, the Noble Persian people, closer to the abyss. Miscalculation was once seen as the biggest risk in triggering full Scale War along this border, but israels assessment appears to have change. The miscalculation many fear now is faith in the idea of a limited war. Lucy williamson, bbc news, at the israel lebanon border. Our senior international correspondent is with me in beirut. We have been following the Air Strikes, things have moved quickly in the last few days . Have moved quickly in the last few Da S . Have moved quickly in the last few Da S . ,. ,. , ,. , days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We days . There is a growing Sense Of fear we were days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We were at days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We were at the days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We were at the scene days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We were at the scene of days . There is a growing Sense Of fear. We were at the scene of an l days . There is a growing Sense Of. Fear. We were at the scene of an Air Strike over marks a grim new milestone. It is the first time israel has hit the target in the centre of beirut, an area not connected with hezbollah. It struck an Apartment Block Last Night and killed three leaders of a palestinian militant group. But this brought the war very much into the centre of the city, into a residential area. All of the signs are of escalation. We have heard from the Deputy Leader of hezbollah, a pre recorded speech from an undisclosed location. But the word from the top since Hassan Nasrallah was killed on friday. Now the Message Today from the Deputy Leader is, we carry on, we dont change our policy, we follow the footsteps of Hassan Nasrallah and we wont budge an inch. We want supporters that could be a prolonged battle. And if israel goes along with the Ground Invasion, hezbollah will be ready. They are growing indications from the us but that is about to happen, or may even already be in progress. Us media are reporting that israeli officials have told the us they are planning a limited ground operation. Some reports say cross border raids have already happened. A note of caution on that, israel might plan it as a limited ground operation. No way to be sure thats how it will turn out, but momentum and all of It Heading in the direction of escalation. Heading in the direction of escalation. , ~ ,. , ~ , escalation. Thank you. As we were sa in, escalation. Thank you. As we were saying. There escalation. Thank you. As we were saying. There is escalation. Thank you. As we were saying, there is a escalation. Thank you. As we were saying, there is a feeling escalation. Thank you. As we were saying, there is a feeling of saying, there is a feeling of tension, concern and memories of what happened here in 2006. The international Community And World leaders will also be watching the situation incredibly closely to see if there is still a chance of de escalation. Thats all from me and the team in beirut, back to you sophie in london. Anna and all it will have the latest at ten oclock. Today is The End of an era for the uk a moment of history. At Midnight Tonight the last coal fired Power Station in the uk, Ratcliffe On Soar in nottinghamshire, will close for good after more than half a century. The uk is about to become the first major economy to quit coal completely. Here 5 our climate editor, justin rowlatt. Coal made modern britain. It was this country s abundant deposits of coal that enabled it to pioneer the industrial revolution. Take a look at this. Coal use here in the uk began to take off way back in 1700. Innovations like James Watts efficient new Steam Engines boosted demand. In 1882 london got the world 5 first coal fired Power Station. The country s Coal Use only began to fall back from the late � 50s when terrible smogs in london killed thousands of people leading to clean Air Laws. By the 19905 gas from the North Sea had begun to replace coal. In 2008 the Climate Act committed the uk to making big cuts in Carbon Emissions. Since then there 5 been a massive build out of renewable power, which has helped bring the uk 5 age of coal to an end. So how did we wean ourselves off the most polluting of all the Fossil Fuels . First off, we had those supplies of cleaner, cheaper North Sea gas that began to squeeze coal off the electricity grid. Government policy helped. First the clean Air Laws and more recently the commitment to cutting Carbon Emissions gave industry a clear signal that coal was on the way out. The uk was an early and big investor in renewable power, particularly offshore wind, creating a clean alternative to coal. Finally, there 5 been a big fall in electricity demand. That s because our electrical devices have got much more efficient led lights, for example. But also because lots of the uk 5 energy intensive industries have closed. The government has promised that the Uk Grid will be zero carbon by 2030. Lots of analysts say it won t be possible in that time. It will mean big cuts in the countries emissions but wont be popular with everyone. It ll mean more pylons, solarfarms and Wind Turbines across the country. And there 5 another challenge for the government. Look at this. British industry pays some of the highest prices for electricity in the developed world. A reMinder that it is notjust how we generate out electricity but also how much it costs us which is important. Thank you. Its notjust coal a century of traditional Steel Making in South Wales comes to an End Today as well, as the last remaining Blast Furnace at Britain 5 Biggest Steel Works in Port Talbot ceases production. More than 2,500 people are being made redundant. As Hwyel Griffith reports. The end of the line for more than a century of traditional Steel Making. With a puff of smoke, the coal fired furnace consigned to history. Here at markham, the conversion. From iron to steel takes progressive form, the very heart of an industry celebrated for achievement. This was once europes biggest steelworks. In the 1960s, it employed 18,000 men, guaranteeing decade after decade of well paid work. Cassius followed his Father And Grandfather to work there. Hisjob in the Blast Furnace is now gone. The future still uncertain, so hes set up his own coffee business. You never think, like, an end of an era will come, but now its come now. Its been quite challenging, but youve just got to, you know, keep your Mind occupied and, you know, not crumble about it and get depressed. His father, nigel, left The Works in 2016 and started his own clothing brand. Hes desperate for his hometown to have a future, but angry over how this came to pass. Were bewildered, really, how its been surrendered. We cant work it out. Weve. I never thought really that the powers that be really cared about us, but ive always thought that they valued what we did. Shutting down the final Blast Furnace here will mean cutting Carbon Emissions by 90 , but the new, greener electric Furnace Wont be in place for at least three years. And in the meantime, Tata Will Import Steel to be processed here from abroad. That steel will still be made in Blast Furnaces. The companys even building a new one in india. Tata competes in a global market where steel prices are low. The impact goes beyond Port Talbot. In all, tatas Uk Workforce is set to fall by 4000. 2000 jobs at British Steel in scunthorpe look precarious, too. Jacqueline, who works in Occupational Health for tata, doesnt know where her future lives. Its very hard getting up every day at this moment in time, trying to be as strong and as happy and trying to answer everybody elses questions when im i in the same uncertain boat as the rest of the staff. A new, greenerfuture may be on the horizon, but the journey there feels painful for those who need jobs here and now. Hywel griffith, bbc news, Port Talbot. Extraordinary scenes in the United States. More than 100 people have died and millions are without power in the United States after Hurricane Helene brought torrential rain and high winds a number of states over the weekend including florida and North Carolina. Several towns have been flattened and roads destroyed. The authorities say a number of people are still missing and the Death Toll may rise. Carl nasman reports. Florida to georgia to tennessee, homes and livelihoods washed away. More than 100 people have died across six states since the hurricane made landfall in florida on thursday. With hundreds still unaccounted for, that figure is expected to rise. Ive never seen so many people homeless as what i have right now. This is the third storm in a year. Like, i dont know how much more we can take, and then theyre telling us theres another one out there. Mountain regions of North Carolina are some of the hardest hit. The splintered remains of communities now floating in floodwaters. Even before the officer got to me, the water was all the way up to my chest inside my car. I couldnt even think what was going on it happened so fast to me and scared the life out of Me Rescuers say theyre still trying to reach residents cut off by damaged roads and a lack of cell phone service. Officials in the city of asheville say they face biblical devastation. Millions across the South East have been left without power and queues have formed at petrol stations. Some of the states most affected, georgia and North Carolina, are expected to be decisive in Novembers President ial election. While the Clean Up continues, people hope the worst is over, but with two months of Hurricane Season left, helene may not be the last storm on the horizon. Carl nasman, bbc news. Our top story this evening. As tanks and troops gather on the Border Israel says the next phase of the war with lebanon is about to begin. And coming up a 96 year old woman is spared jail after killing a member of her Bridge Club when her car mounted a kerb last august. Coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news, just whos to blame as chelsea women are forced to postpone next sundays sold out Super Legaue game against Manchester United . And Marylebone Town Hall prepares to celebrate 100 years of weddings. The bbc has apologised to the actor, Amanda Abbington and upheld several complaints made by her against her professional Dance Partner on Strictly Come Dancing last year. But Giovanni Pernice has been cleared of the most serious allegations of physical aggression. The actor, who starred in sherlock, previously described her Dance Partner as abusive, cruel and mean. She called the bbc� s apology a vindication of her complaint. Our Culture And Media Editor Katie Razall reports. For months, claims by the actress Amanda Abbington about Giovanni Pernice have swirled, a damaging she said, he said story thats dominated coverage about the flagship show. The bbc has now upheld some of the complaints against the former strictly dancer of verbal bullying and harassment, but not physical aggression. The corporations chief Content Officer told me. I do want to apologise on behalf of the bbc to amanda, and i also want to thank her for having the courage to come forward. You know, this is not an easy thing to do. We didnt feel that the behaviours met the standard that we would expect, and thats why some of the complaints have been upheld. If youre asking me, was it physical aggression, i think i can categorically say no. Amanda abbington said. The bbc� s Investigation Hasnt been published for confidentiality reasons, and pernice also appears to be claiming vindication. A spokesperson said. Pernice isnt the only dancer to leave strictly as the scandal unfolded. Graziano di prima was ousted injuly after it emerged hed kicked his Dance Partner Zara Mcdermott in rehearsal. Weve seen a number of complaints about Strictly Come Dancing. In The End, the buck stops with you. Did you take your eye off the ball . Whenever there are complaints, we deal with them, you know, in the right, appropriate way. And were able to deal with them swiftly when theres the right evidence, and otherwise we need to take our time, make sure that we get to the right findings and the right results. Charlotte Moore Wouldnt be drawn on whether Giovanni Pernice might return to the show, saying only that they are very happy with the current line up. The saga has been an unwelcome distraction in the programmes 20th anniversary year. And katiejoins me now. This has been going on for months. Does it draw a line under it now . I think it is worth saying we are told there were 17 allegations investigated by this review and six were upheld that we have not been able to verify that independently, but if correct that means 11 were not upheld and six where, and clearly the Process Hasnt been public. Without the full facts, it is difficult to judge it but the bbc wants this to draw a line under the issue, the conclusion of this review. Throughout, they said the vast majority of people who appear on Strictly Come Dancing have had a positive appearance but the shine has come off, sorry to use the cliche, because now we know that some people have not. The new series, which started a few weeks ago, has decided to completely ignore the controversy, plough on, not mention it on air, presumably hoping viewers willjust get swept up hoping viewers willjust get swept up in the magic, and perhaps there. We know the bbc says they have updated various safeguarding processes, they have chaperones in the rehearsal rooms, are doing psychological testing, Psychological Review of every Contestant And Dancer ahead of taking part, there are new roles dedicated to welfare support, so the message is, we have taken this seriously, we have acted. Is it an end to it . Yes, for now, unless anything new emerges or unless anything new emerges or unless either of those two parties, Giovanni Pernice or amanda abington, decides to go on camera and reveal more. ~ decides to go on camera and reveal more. , ~ i. A Recruitment Process to find a successor has begun. A report into software used by the Post Office before the roll the uks top civil servant, simon case, has announced he will be leaving his post. Hes been in the role since september 2020. In a statement, he said he was standing down due to health concerns. He has been undergoing medical treatment for a Neurological Condition over the last 18 months. A report into software used by the Post Office before the roll out of the faulty Horizon It System has found there was a reasonable likelihood that it could also have created shortfalls for sub postmasters. The investigation into the capture It System was commissioned by the government after sub postmasters said they were wrongly accused of stealing. A 96 year old woman who killed another pensioner when her car mounted the pavement has been spared an immediate prison sentence. June mills told police that she lost control of her vehicle when it accelerated unexpectedly, as she left a Bridge Club meeting in formby. Andy gill is in merseyside now. Yes, June Mills was 95 at the time and is now 96. She admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing. This happened last august, as you said, in merseyside at thorne bay, after her Bridge Club, killing two members and injuring another. She said tests on the car afterwards showed there was no fault. June mills appeared in court in a wheelchair. Her defence said she was devastated and will be hunted forever by what happened. The judge said, on any viewing from any angle, this is an utter tragedy. He said plain Common Sense spoke against giving her an immediate custodial sentence, although that option was available to him. Instead, he jailed herfor18 months, suspended for 18 months. She will have to pay £2000 in costs and fines and she has been banned for driving for five years although the court heard she has already given up her license voluntarily. Her license voluntarily. Andy, thank ou. Hundreds of passengers are about to set sail from belfast tonight on a three and a half Year Cruise around the world after being stranded in the city for four months. They were supposed to leave in may on what is being called the worlds first continual cruise. But the Ship Needed Repairs and it has taken a little longer than expected. 0ur Ireland Correspondent Chris Pagejoins us now. It is not plain sailing just yet. The Cruise Liner was scheduled to mirror at this key more than three hours ago but at the moment it is still in the Repair Yard a couple of hundred metres that way. The ship has really become world famous even before it set out on its world tour. Hundred and 25 passengers are all checked in on the Cruise Line terminal behind me as i speak to you believing that on this rainy night in Northern Ireland they will finally be ocean bound. Passengers hadnt been dreaming of drizzle. This round the World Cruise has had only one stop in four months belfast. But now everythings looking shipshape. The Villa Vie Residences Odyssey is said to be ready to head for the high seas. After 120 days of delay, dozens of people are set to begin life on the liner. I had a really hard time sleeping Last Night, and were super excited, feeling the butterflies, feeling the heart rate. Laughter. Going up, you know . So itll be fun. So this is the 30th of september. You had planned to board the ship on the 30th of september, though not in belfast, is that right . Thats exactly right. I was supposed to be in nassau boarding the ship today. In the bahamas. Laughter so its a little bit different, some would say. Yeah. Northern ireland was largely uncharted territory for most of the would be seafarers, but theyve made the effort to check out the best of here and go wherever was within reach. These past four months, ive just had the time of my life. Its been fabulous. Yesterday, had a great day with our send off, and tonight, were on the ship. They say the bonds with belfast will remain. We went to liverpool a little while ago, and when we came back and we were in the taxi coming here and we thought, home, were coming home. So its a nice feeling. Itll be sad to go, for us to go in some ways, and in others, | were certainly happy to get on the road, on the ship. I its been a little bit challenging to cope with, but overall i think weve all kept the faith. We all believe in this endeavour, and were going to go forward with it. And memories are packed up for the globaljourney. One of the things i really love about belfast is the way they say my name. So, you know, in american english, we say wade, but in belfast, they said something like wa ade. And i cant say it with that way, but i recorded the Video Recording Yesterday of a guy saying it. Thats going to my new ringtone is the belfastian wa ade. A lasting legacy which will travel the world with you. Thats right thereve been 17 weeks of humour, planning and patience, but tonight, its apparently time for goodbyes and best wishes as Northern Ireland says bon voyage. Chris page, bbc news, belfast. We will let you know later if it does actually set sale. Manchester united look set to stick with manager erik ten hag for now, despite their demoralising Home Defeat against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Ten hag has endured a poor start to the season, which has left united 12th in the Premier League. 0ur Sports Editor Dan Roan is at old trafford. Not much certainty there either, dan . �. Not much certainty there either, dan . � ,. , dan . Thats right, sophie. No official Word Dan . Thats right, sophie. No official word from dan . Thats right, sophie. No official word from Manchester Dan . Thats right, sophie. No official word from Manchester United but behind the scenes senior sources indicate for now at least it is Business As Usual and the focus for the club is on the two big matches against porto in europe then Aston Villa in the League On Sunday but it suggested the results of those could prove pivotal for their beleaguered manager Eric Tene had after quite a wretched performance against spurs at old trafford. Their second successive Home Defeat by 3 0 in the league. Their worst start to a Premier League campaign, of course, and this is after they finished eighth last season. That almost got him sacked, ten hag, but the club decided to stick by him and extend his contract. That decision will come under scrutiny now the stop he says the club are backing him but he has spent half £1 billion on new players since arriving and they have had an overhaul of the Executive Team here so i think it is inevitable the pressure will rise on the manager. It will ultimately fall to the owners ofjim ratcliffe, the co owner, to decide. I think it is fair to say that with an international break coming these next few days will dictate whether or not this is The End of ten Hags Tenure and whether or not united will be looking for a seventh new manager in the last 11 seasons. Dan rohn, thank manager in the last 11 seasons. Dan rohn, thank you. Dan roan, thank you. Tributes have been paid to The American Country Music Star and actor Kris Kristofferson, who has died at the age of 88. The Grammy Award winning singer was best known for his role in the 1976 version of the film a star is born. David sillito looks back at his life. I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna. Chris kristofferson. Dolly parton led the Tributes Today to a great songwriter, great actor and a great friend. Weve all got so many reasons for changing your Mind. He was also an oxford rhodes scholar, had been an Army Captain and flew helicopters with dreams of making it in country one Day Landing unannounced onjohnny Cashs Lawn to try to show him one of his songs. Its rolling round the bend. Its rolling round the bend. Its little surprise that Kris Kristofferson became The Star of what became known as 0utlaw country. Youre finished. And there was more than a touch of that spirit in his many movie roles, in films like convoy. Because we have the brightest love. And a star is born, in which he appeared with barbra streisand. Im sorry this booze will blow your brain. He played a singer with a taste for the excesses of the music world, and there were more than a few parallels with his own life at the time. If you feel that way about it. Eh, go to hell. There are so many ways that i got away with murder. Just blowing rolling cars, you know, having accidents on motorcycles. Just, uh, uh. Playing full tilt. Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose. Its perhaps not a surprise that his best known song, me and bobby mcgee. Id trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday. Sung here by his girlfriend at the time, janisjoplin, was a celebration of freedom and escape. Help me make it through the night. And here, with his wife at the time, rita coolidge, a little reMinder of the intense, Rough Hewn Charisma of Kris Kristofferson. Help me make it through the night. Kris kristofferson, who has died at the age of 88. Time for a look at the weather, heres elizabeth rizzini. Thank you, sophie. A very wet month in deed across the south of the uk, the southern half of the uk. The last day of totting up all of the figures in parts of 0xfordshire have seen the wettest. 0xfordshire as a whole has seen its wettest September On Record and some places have not just recorded their wettest September On Record but the wettest month on record, and here are some other sports that has seen three or four times their average september rainfall. Of course another some other spots. A wet and windy day for some of us. Flood warnings in place, mostly across central and north western areas of england. The ground already saturated. Could be more flooding into the river is of course and this is the Radar Picture showing where we have had the heaviest of downpours today. You can see the Heavy Rain just swirling around and it will gradually sink further south and east words of the night tonight. Stillsimmering further south and east words of the night tonight. Still simmering for central and eastern areas. Some of the heaviest of the rain across central and southern england, strong gusty winds towards