Transcripts For KQED BBC World News America 20240713

Erth the ceasefire in nor syria due to end tomorrow, President Trump defends his decision, while Barack Obamas National Security advisor tells the bbc the u. S. Has underminedl its lies. Prump we never agreed to protect the kurds for the rest of their lives. Ms. Rice it wasnt a treaty, but it was a moral oblation. Laura protesters take to the streets in lebanon for a fifth day, marng the biggest demonstratio in years. Will the Prime Ministers reforms calm thees u plus, the young victims of the opioid crisis. As more states settle with Drug Companies, many children cannot escape the damage that has been done. Show of hds, do you have a parent, cle friend, relative who has died of drug abuse . Eso ve got 100 of hands. Laura for those watching on pbs and around the globe, welcome to world news america. Today President Trump stood his ground over withdrawing u. S. Oops from syria. But in the region, tensions are still simmering. Angry people in a kurdishcontlled city pelted departing u. S. Troops with potatoes as they also hurled insults. The American Forces are heading to iraq to regroup, as the president continues to face plenty of criticism even from his own party. Did not want to leave anyd he american behind and is still focused on how the deal got done. Pres. Trump when we went to turkey and when we went to the kurd they agreed to do thing they never would have done. If they didnt go through t and a half days of hell, i will dont think they would have done it to my dont think you could have made a deal. And peopleave been ting to make this deal for years. Laura over the weekend, President Trump took on susan rice, barack obams National Security advisor, saying millnsere killed in syria on earlr, my colleagues Michelle Fleury and Christian Fraser spoke to ambassador rice and asked if pulling troops out of syria undermines u. S. Foreign policy. Ms. Rice i think the consequences are almost incalculable in the first instance,e have taken our foot off the neck of isis. We see prisoners escaping, sleeper cells revactivated, we in the next instance, we have undermined our very important relationship with our kurdish partners who have taken the fight to isis, and senthe message not only to the kurds that we are prepared to sell them out, cede their ethnic homeland to thturks, but we have also sent a message tomi anybody wht be interested in allying with us around the world that our work cant be word cant be trusted, that we are not a const finally, we have rolled out the red carpet for vladimir putin, an, and assad to take ba territory they have not been able to seize, and given turkey the green light tothnically cleanse the northern part of it is absolutely disastrous. Michelle there has been lots of debate or discussion about what promises were made to the kurdsg when theed to partner with the u. S. The president today sayino there waromises made. You were the National Security advisor at the time under the obama administration. What promises were made . Ms. Rice well, there were not formal promises made. We committed to the kurds that hewe would support them in fight against isis and we would be there as they tried to sustain the national homeland. It was not a treaty, but it was a moral obligation and everybody it is really outrageous when you think about it. The kurds have been through so much in that whole region, whether in iraq or in syria. Traditionally comeeas rescue, whether after the first gulf war or as president obama did to save the yazidis when they were at risk of genocide. So President Trump on a im forno reasondy understands, for reasons which run counter to National Security interests, to throw them under the bus, notns only makes no it is a shameful breach of our moral responsibility. Christian ambassador, i was watching an interview with the chair of our Foreign Affairs committee and he was making the point that the relationship with the ited states goes much deeper than the white house and this president , but he was asking what kind of alliances, wat kind of special relationship is n our interests come second to America First . Ms. Rice historically our alliances and partnerships have been twoway streets and we have been there for each other, the special relationship with theed uningdom being the most important example of that in many respects. Now alof that is called into question when you have an american leader, whoy is not even pursuing even an America First foreign policy, whatever that means and however detrimental that be. A it is reale first foreign policy. Theres nothing about his decision to withdraw u. S. Forces unilaterally and suddenly from syria that serves u. S. It runs directly counter to u. S. Interests. Christian our former former Prime Minister David Cameron has a book out as well at the moment. He talked about the chemical attack in syria and he says he called the white house when president obama was there and he didnt get call back for four days. Ms. Rice well, i dont l. Call that at i do recall them speaking ndpeatedly including about the chemical attack,s you recall, Prime Minister cameron had committed to join with United States and france in responding militarily that attack, and then unfortunately and pthe vote to parliamen lost the vote liament, which in part influenced president obamas decision to consider the necessity of congressional support to be sure that we had the sustainable backing here in the United States to be ablto pursue what could have been an extended military engagement. But nonetheless, a deal was, reached to remove 1300 metric tons of chemical weapons from understood to be dof the we stockpile. Michle ambassador rice, tha you for your time today. Ms. Rice thank you very much. Laura in lebanon, protesters have ten to the streets for the fifth day running. The protests were sparked by the governments decision to tax people for cmunicating through whatsapp, but there is wider discontent over the Prime Ministers poor management of the economy. Today he promised to respect demotrators. Will it be enough . From beirut, martin patience reports. Martin in the capital, beirut, and across lebanon, the people are staging and export mary revolt against an yextraordinar revolt against politicians. For now at least, a sense of nationalnity has overcome the countrys bitterecurity divisions. For the first time in this country, there is a real unity unlike we have seen before. Their Economic Situation and the corruption in government has come so bad that everyone can agree on one thi, these people are criminals and they need to leave. Martin you want the government to step down . Of course we want the government to step down. We want not just like in a chaotic way. The government actually, the country has been in a chaotic way. Martin the countrys prime evester is deceased from corner. You are calling for your dignity, your patriotic and individual dignity. C barvices, job opportunities, and above all, respect for your demands. And make no mistake, you are heard. Martin the Prime Ministers prised to slashic politns pay is unlikely to satisfy protesters, who in jail. Eaders for the past few days, l aanon has been country transformed. But the carnivallike atmosphere masks t danger. The countrys leaders are paralyzed by these protests. Habut tdoesnt mean they are quite a hand over power without a fight istheels like a country reborn. But old divisions die hard here. Martin patienc bbc news, beirut. Laura turmoil in lebanon. S,in other n the bid to for e british governments latest brexiteal to a vote has been rejected by the speaker the house of commons. Boris johnson tried to get the green light for his withdrawal agreement, but mps backed a me to delay approval. Today the Speaker John Bercow said that another debate would be repetitive and disorderly for the israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is giving up efforts to put together a new Coalition Government after septembers e elections failed to prod clear winner. His political rival benny gantz will be invited to attempt a form of government. If mr. Gantz also fails,he parliament could put forward a fina for candidate in a final t id a third vote. The king of thailand has stripped h royal consort of her ranking titles for misbehavior and disloyalty against the monarch. Sineenat wongvajirapakdi, who is a trained pot ands bodyguard, e first person to be named royal noble consort in a century. An official announcement said same state as the queen. To the canadians are voting in a tight election between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his conservativeival, Andrew Scheer. Over 27 Million People could e te in the race to control canadas ho commons. For more on how things are shaping up in the hinalrs, i spoke brief time ago with our chief International Correspondent lyse doucet, who is in toronto. You have been out and about wi. Justin trude how is it looking for him tonight . Lyse it depends which polls you are watching, but the pos have not shifted dramatically ithe last two days. They roughly put Justin Trudeaus liberals and Andrew Scheers conservatives at 30 of the vote, give or take one or two seats. The polls are contradictory on whether the parties, make significant gains in this election. What does seem clear is nobodys expecting a majority government. Nobodys expecting justin weudeau to sweep into power like he did in 2015. Even the way he ran his campaign this time, our viewers may remember the soaring rhetoric of 15 when he talked about sunny ways and talked of being a feminist and climate champion. This time it is ba to basics tax cuts, making life more affordable, talking abouttt breadand issues as he fights for every single vote acrosshis vast country. Laura as Andrew Scheer trs to defeat mr. Trudeau, what is heg bank, lyse . Lyse if anything, this election has been a referendum on Justin Trudeau and his four years in office. Mr. Trudeaus own slogan is the future, looking to the future. Doesnt want people to dwell on his mistakes in office, the h scandals whie dogged him. But his rivals have made it all about him. Andrew scheer consistent has been on the attack, ac Justin Trudeau of having no n authority to re, no moral standing, calling him a phony and a fraud. The candidate on the new left of the democrats saying that he is hee one with the progressive mandate, he is the one who should be defining the agenda i an electere issues like Climate Change are one of the top concerns for canadian voters. Laura it soun as though the rhetoric has been very heated in that is not very canadian, is it . Lyse i suppose canadians would like to say that, but certainlyh justin trude said as well as others that this is one of the nastiest elections they had ever seen. That may not be saying a lot in canadian politics. Canadians like to pride themselves maybe selfdeluded of being nice, not being like their more rowdy neighbors to the south. Certainly there has been a lotin of mudng in this campaign. They have been very personal, as i have been saying, which is why commentators are warning this is likely to be a mi government and you will have to Work Together on key legislation for canada, and therefore, dont basically stab each other in the back too much, becau the day after the election starting tomorrow, canada has to remain this country it is, a country of 10 provinces and two territories, the second biggesto try in the world in landmass, with the issues that nations everywhere have to fig against including economic problems, Climate Change, security iues as well. Laura lyse doucet in toronto, thank you. You are watching bbc world news america. Still to come on tonightsom program, a mulmilliondollar settlement in the opioid crisis. Four Drug Companies to a deal just hours re the trial. Laura prince williahas presd concern for his brother, harry, and wife meghan. Nny dymond reports now. Jonny in africa just weeks ago, they looked so happy. They showed off their newborn son they danced and left. But behind it all,wo peopleh struggling witeir roles, their lives, and an onslaught of criticism in britains best selling papers. Harry d meghan are one of the worlds most photographed uples, but he made clear his deep discomfort at his very public life. Prince harry every single time i see a camera, every single time i hear a click and see a flash, it takes me back. Jonny harry saw the press tear s down his mother and he s happened to his wife. She reveals her friends warnings to her as she considered marriage. Meghan my british friends said to me, im subu he is great, you shouldit do it because the british tabloids will destroy your fe. I very naively im an american, we dont have that there what are you talking about . Jonny and the brothers . The world. Were a team, taking on that relationship has changed. Prince harry inevitably stuff happens. But we are brothers and we will we are on different paths at the moment, but i will always e ere for him and he will be thr me. Jonny ow a palace source says william is worried for his brother and he thinks harry and meghan are in a fragile place. Talk of a break for the couple, say a source from is probably a goodhing. Laura tonight we are devoting a large part of our program to the u. S. Opioid crisis and its very farreaching effects. Earlier today, four drie compcame to a lastminute settlement over their role in the epidemic. The 260 million payout was agreed on hours before the First Federal trial was due to begin in ohio. Over 400,000 americans d of opioid abuses over the last two decades. Purdue pharma has been accused of helping to spark the crisisil with its pair oxycontin. It denies any wrongdoing. The bbc has been investigating what is behind thepidemic and hearing stories from some of its youngest victims. My name is jacob. I am 12 years old. Dear addiction, why did you turn my parents into something they are not . Dont know my own father because of you. Al it is not that coolo ruin peoples lives. I couldnhave a normal childhood or life because of you. Y name is keira, and im 11 years old. Dear addiction, you tore apart my family. Why mine . I have been lied to because of ause of you,ied b ive been bullied because of you. Upset child reporter these are stories from a summer camp at no child should have to tell. I think no one really understands how i feel. I dont even know where my dad is an really who he is, and if he idoing drugs and i dont know if he odd and ed. Reporter one in 8 children in america live with a parent w s suffers fromstanceuse disorder. My dadould bring needles in the house and my friends would come over and be like, what is i that, anuld be embarrassed to bring anymore friends over. Reporter they have secrets they need to share. Show of hands, do you have a parent, close friend, or relative who has died from drug abuse . We have 100 of hands. Does anybody want to talk about that . Yes . I know people who overdosed andied. T you shouldn to rest like that. You should go to rest in peaceful way. Not hurting and in pain and high and all that. How about you have a parent, close friend, or relative has overdosed . That is why we are doing this work. Haall of us have those ver and tragic things in common. It is tremendously uair that the children have seen the gsthhat they have at such an early age. It is always like we dont care when it is all said and done. That is what it really feels we just dont care that these are throwaway kids and it doesnt matter. Reporterthis is americas Opioid Epidemic, where every 11 minutes someone dies of an overdose. That is more people than those killed by gun attacks or car accidents. But these are more thajust statistics mothers and father thedrmen, the ch who have been sucked into what is now known as americas greatest health crisis. 80 of heroin users started their path to addiction on prescription painkillers. Are blamed for starting this epidemic. L imaginee with chronic pain, persistent, debilitating, stabbing pai reporter it was in the 1990s when this Opioid Epidemic again. Pharmaceutical companies assured the medical community that prescription opioids originally prescribed to Cancer Patients could be used for all chroni pain. But it was Purdue Pharma with oxycontin that revolutionized how they were marketed. Less than 1 of patients taking opioids actually become addicted. Purdue pharma was very effective in promoting their products and in persuading us in those early days that their drug was different fr the opioids we were used to using, and thats itikely to be more effective and safer than the opioids that had been used before. We were responding to a brilliant, Multifaceted Campaign that was realla marketing campaignisguised as education. Reporter Purdue Pharma argues that they manufacture a governmentapproved medicine that relief for millions of patients who need it, and that they only supply a tiny portion of americas opioid prescriptions. Connecticut is home to Purdue Pharma. Its attorney general is attempting to hold them to account for the lives lost and money spent on the opioid crisis. I dont think that we as a state and a country understood the depths and the extent to which the defendant members of the Sackler Family and purdue were engaged in this misconduct and how farreaching it was. But now we know. Do you believe purdues marketing was overly aggressive . No. E reporter mily owned, ran, and profited from Purdue Pharmaa the sacklely. Do you believe the marketing s appropriate . I believe so. I presume somewhere Richard Sackler in the dark of night knew what he was doing was wrg, but there was just to much money to be made. And i think for me, we learn how r the banks, they were too big to fail in 2008, 2009. Well, some of ese pharmaceutical companies, it feels like they are too big to care. Reporter in total, 48 states have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for their role in the ioid crisis. Purdue pharma sent this statement to the bbc. I am starting to get concerned that all of this attention paid on this one family is missing the role played by other pharmaceutical companies that did exactly what purdue and the sacklers did, and we are also missing some of the failures of our regulatory agencies, federal agencies, fate agencies, all of the problems that neing. If we blame this all on the sacklers and their greed, im worried we will not address these other failures. Re rter one of the greatest failures of all is that the hopes and dreams of so many children have been shattered by this epidemic. I cannot even imagine what they are living through. Just hearing their stories is unconscionable. It just it shouldnt be that way. Reporter pharmaceutical companies will likely be finedbi ions of dollars for igniting this crisis. But will these children ever be free from americas opioidio epidemic . Laura the kids scarred by opioids as they feel the lasting effects of americas greatest health crisis. Remember, you can find much more of all the days news on ourit we i am laura trevelyan. Thank you for watching bbc world news america. Announcer funding for this presentation is made possible by. The freeman foundation; by judy and peter blumkovler foundation, pursuing solutions for americas neglected needs; and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Is just up here. Thats where. Man she took me out to those weapons. I think were off to a great start. Captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc woodruff good evening. On the newshour tonight under fire. Oesident trump responds to mounting criticir syria, the site of the , and an escalating impeachment inquiry. Y then, on the ground in iraq. We have a firsthand account of the impact of the withdrawal of u. S. Forces from syria on refugees and the fight against isis. Rus, one on one with sena bernie sanders. The democratic president ial candidate discusses the cost of his medicarefall plan, the difference between him and Elizabeth Warren and more. And, food for flint. New programs work to battle the adverse effes of leadladen