Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

Good evening. World leaders are again calling for restraint in the middle east, after whats believed to have been an Israeli Attack on iran overnight. According to us officials, israel was responsible for air strikes near the city of isfahan, which is at the centre of Irans Nuclear programme. It appears to be the latest tit for tat exchange between the two arch enemies. For days, israel has been threatening to retaliate after it was targeted last weekend by 300 iranian missiles and drones. Well be live in israel shortly and well have the latest from washington but first, our Diplomatic Correspondent Caroline Hawley reports on what we know so far about the overnight attack. Its a strange position tonight where were still not sure exactly whats happened. Israel has not publicly acknowledged it carried out the strike. Iran is minimising it. So what do we know . Well, we know a clear message was being sent. There were explosions overnight in syria, iraq and, most significant of all, Deep Inside Iran in the city of isfahan, here. Its right in the middle of the country and its home to an airbase and several Small Nuclear sites including this one, and missile factories. Us officials have spoken of an israeli missile strike, while Iranian Media said three small drones had been involved. Very few images have come out so far showing any damage, but bbc persian was sent some footage. Have a listen. Explosion. According to the iranian authorities, irans air defences were in action. On an iranian news agency, a reporter says he is outside a Nuclear Facility and that theres nothing going on. The International Nuclear watchdog, the iaea, confirmed that there had been no damage to any nuclear sites. Sweeping music plays. And in case anyone in iran woke up feeling worried, iranian tv showed pictures of calm in isfahan, complete with soothing music. At a rally of supporters of the regime, the president , ebrahim raisi, significantly, made no mention of last nights events, focusing instead on the barrage of missiles and drones iran fired at israel last weekend. Translation this move was necessary, obligatory, unifying and a source of pride and power for our great country. Almost all of irans missiles and drones were shot down by israel, with the help of the us, the uk and other allies. But this was a huge escalation, the first time iran had ever attacked israel directly, after decades of covert war. And it prompted international alarm. It was irans response to the strike by israel on an iranian diplomatic on an iranian diplomatic compound in damascus at the start of the month, targeting a senior Military Commander an attack, iran said, on its sovereign territory, to which it was bound to respond. Its been a very dangerous tit for tat, with each side wanting to project power and land the last punch. Iran had said it would respond even more harshly to any israeli counter strike. But the fact that the presumed israeli strike has so far been limited and that the iranians are playing it down gives, i think, some hope that the two sides can now step back from the brink. But its still a moment of huge risk and anxiety in the middle east and beyond. Caroline, thank you for now. There has been no official israeli comment about the strike, but it appears to have been confirmed by the countrys National Security minister. Our middle east correspondent Lucy Williamson has the latest from jerusalem. A message, not of war, but of warning that israel could also strike its enemy at home if it wanted. After threatening a harsh and massive response to the smallest incursion, iran has downplayed this mornings strike. This is the picture of isfahan shown on iranian tv today. Tehran� s own message nothing to see here. Other than that, nothing has happened, everything is back to normal. Israel was divided over how to respond to irans barrage last weekend. Thejudgment of one far right Cabinet Minister this morning lame. And, injerusalems main market today, many others were disappointed. When a bully comes to you, were going to respond to the bully with restraint, so the bully� s just going to come back harder and harder and harder. If you want to take down a bully, youve got to take down with force. I expected more, to be quite honest. I think more would have been evenjustified, considering they sent 300 rockets to kill so many people. I think that were losing. We are losing the war with hamas, losing the war with hezbollah, were losing the war with iran. We are losing and its a pity we have so much strength. But we are afraid to use it. Israels allies had urged it to take the win after intercepting hundreds of drones and missiles from iran last weekend. This missile fuel tank, pulled by israels army from the dead sea. We are committed to israels security. We are also committed to de escalating, to trying to bring this tension to a close. This strike, and irans muted response to it, suggest both sides are keen to step back from this conflict, but their direct confrontation last weekend has left them in a new, more dangerous position. The immediate risk may be cooling but, from where they stand now, its a shorter route to war. One analyst says there is a lesson for the future in iran deciding to act, even when it knew israel would respond. They considered it and they took it into account and they decided to do it, so there is a change in the way that they are thinking. Therefore, i have to take into account that in the future they will be doing the same things, and this is the big question, because israel is not going to stop attacking any arms that are coming across the iraqi syrian border. Iran today avoided blaming israel directly, even as crowds called for its destruction after friday prayers. But israel is already fighting iran backed groups across the region. Even if this crisis is subsiding, the sparks that triggered it will not. Lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. Our North America Editor is sarah smith. Sarah, President Biden had warned israel not to retaliate. So what now . Youre absolutely right. President biden said to the israeli Prime Minister that he should take the win at the weekend, when the iranian assault had done almost no damage whatsoever to his country. It does therefore look as though Benjamin Netanyahu is very publicly ignoring what the us president is asking him to do. In fact, israel only told america about this attack on iran just moments before it happened. But the us does remain israels strongest backer diplomatically, militarily and financially. Congress is going to vote this weekend for an additional 26 billion in aid to go to israel, but it doesnt seem to have bought very much influence at the moment, because the same thing has been happening over does. President biden has been urging restraint, and he has not been listened to by the israeli government. In fact, the Secretary Of State Antony Blinken said today that the us cannot support a Major Military offensive in rafah in the south of gaza unless they see a plan that they have been asking for four weeks as to how civilians would be protected during the assault. They say they havent seen any evidence of that yet, so there are concerns over what might happen in gaza as well. ,. Over what might happen in gaza as well,. ,. ,. , ~ over what might happen in gaza as well. ,. , ~ ,. , our Diplomatic Correspondentjames landale is injerusalem. What happens now . So the big question is what happens from here on in, james. What so the big question is what happens from here on in, james. From here on in, james. What has been remarkable from here on in, james. What has been remarkable today from here on in, james. What has been remarkable today is from here on in, james. What has been remarkable today isjust from here on in, james. What has| been remarkable today isjust how been remarkable today is just how little we know. The israelis arent saying anything. The iranians are not blaming the israelis. The International Community has been largely muted. Its almost as if there has been a collective effort to play this whole thing down. Israel are making a limited response, but sending a signal that it could have done more. Iran basically ignoring the attack, even mocking it, giving itself permission not to respond. So potentially a pause, a step back from the abyss, away from a full scale regional conflict. But we are not Out Of The Woods entirely. We still dont know the full facts. We dont know if this is the end of israels response and the potential for miss calculation is huge. Iran and israel have a long history of misunderstanding each other. Diplomats are hoping that today may prove an exception. Diplomats are hoping that today may prove an exception. James landale in jerusalem, thank prove an exception. James landale in jerusalem, thank you. Prove an exception. James landale in jerusalem, thank you. Now prove an exception. James landale in jerusalem, thank you. Now the prove an exception. James landale in jerusalem, thank you. Now the rest l jerusalem, thank you. Now the rest of the days news. Lancashire police have confirmed theyre reviewing information about allegations against the mp, mark menzies, whos accused of misusing campaign funds. Mr menzies was suspended by the Conservative Party after the Times Newspaper reported that he had asked a Party Activist for thousands of pounds to pay what he called bad people who had locked him inside a flat. Its believed the lancashire force had received a call from labour for the matter to be investigated. Mr menzies has told the times he strongly disputed the allegations. Its emerged that the government was involved in secret medical trials on children who had the blood clotting disorder haemophilia. The trials were carried out on boys without the consent of their families in the 1970s and � 80s, and using a Blood Product known to possibly be infected with hepatitis. The children are some of the 30,000 people in the uk who were infected with hiv and hepatitis c after being given contaminated Blood Products over two decades. Its believed about 3,000 people have died. Our Health Editor hugh pym has been speaking to a group of men who attended one of the schools where the secret Medical Research was carried out. Treloar school had a medical unit on site so that if haemophiliac boys had bleeding episodes, they could be treated quickly. They thought Blood Products were for their treatment. They didnt realise they were part of trials for preventative measures known as prophylaxis, with a lot more doses. Many became infected with viruses. A letter in 1973 shows the Department Of Health was backing Medical Research at the school, with formal notification that the department will meet the costs of the drugs used in the haemophilia trial. Ive been speaking to three former pupils at the school from the 1970s and � 80s. Every boy there was on a trial at some time or continuously from their whole period at the college. They had access to our blood, our veins, whenever they wanted it, and they exploited that. How do you feel about that . It was sold to us, saying, weve got these new products, if you are prepared to have an injection every other day, it will make you fit, you will be able to play more, you will be able to go out more, youll live a normal life. But our parents were never informed. There was just a change from having an injection whenever you had a bleed to having an injection every other day. If we didnt go for our Prophylaxis I appointments, we would either get dragged out of School Lessons because youd missed your. Appointment, and if you did it so many times, you got black marks and things like this. And of course, youve lost school friends, and that must be very difficult. Yeah, it is, lots of funerals. I stopped going to them, because i always sort of pictured myself one day there. So, you know, it was hard. 75 boys have died, to date. We think of each other all the time, and the voices of the boys that are gone, and the families that have i lost those voices of their children. I were going to fight for them, j because theyre not here now. So we have to fight for them. So we just want to get to the bottom of it and do this, because they cant, and get to the truth. Yeah. The truth, thats what its all about. The school said it hopes the Public Inquiry will provide former pupils with answers. A Government Spokesperson said it was an appalling tragedy, and thoughts remain with all those impacted. Hugh pym, bbc news. Nicola sturgeon, the former First Minister of scotland, has said its an � incredibly difficult time, after her husband, the former snp Chief Executive Peter Murrell, was charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National party. Its understood that both Nicola Sturgeon and colin beattie, the partys former treasurer, remain under investigation, though have not been re arrested or charged. Lorna gordon is in glasgow for us. Nicola sturgeon, seen for the First Time Since her husband was arrested and charged. It is time since her husband was arrested and charged and charged. It is incredibly difficult but and charged. It is incredibly difficult but thats and charged. It is incredibly difficult but thats not and charged. It is incredibly difficult but thats not the i and charged. It is incredibly. Difficult but thats not the main issue here, so i cant say any more. Im not going to say any more. The home she shares with Peter Murrell was searched by police when he was first arrested last year, as was the snp headquarters. Mr murrell was its Chief Executive for more than two decades. After being held in custody for more than nine hours yesterday, he now stands accused of embezzlement, the misuse of funds, stealing money from the party he once ran. Irate stealing money from the party he once ran. ~. , ~. ,. ,. , once ran. We now know that an individual once ran. We now know that an individual has once ran. We now know that an individual has been once ran. We now know that an individual has been charged. I once ran. We now know that an i individual has been charged. Peter has been individual has been charged. Peter has been charged. The allegation of embezzlement from party funds, and thats embezzlement from party funds, and thats a embezzlement from party funds, and thats a really serious matter indeed thats a really serious matter indeed. Many people in the snp, iilht indeed. Many people in the snp, right across scottish politics, will be shocked by the news. The partys former treasurer, be shocked by the news. The partys former treasurer, colin be shocked by the news. The partys former treasurer, colin beattie, be shocked by the news. The partys former treasurer, colin beattie, andj former treasurer, colin beattie, and Nicola Sturgeon, who were both also previously arrested, remain under investigation but have not been re arrested or charged. When Nicola Sturgeon stepped down as scotlands longest serving First Minister, she said she would remain member of the Scottish Parliament but that she wanted a bit more privacy and anonymity in her life. That appeal for privacy reiterated today. But this has been a dramatic 2a hours for two people long seen by many as scotlands political power couple. This is the latest development in the long Running Police investigation into the finances of the party that one of them lead on one of them run. The crown office are now looking at evidence gathered by officers to decide whether to prosecute Peter Murrell. Families of people who were shot dead on Bloody Sunday say a decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers who were investigated for perjury is an � affront to the rule of law. Considered one of the darkest days of northern irelands troubles, 13 people were killed when paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in Londonderry Injanuary 1972. Sara girvin reports. Bloody sunday was one of the darkest days of the troubles. A Civil Rights March Through Londonderry ended with the loss of 13 lives after paratroopers opened fire on the crowd. Decades later, in 2010, lord saddles inquiry report into Bloody Sunday found the victims had been killed withoutjustification, and some soldiers had knowingly put forward false accounts. But today the Public Prosecution service said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute for perjury. Families of those killed say they are disappointed. We consider that todays ruling by the cps is an affront to the rule of law and a continuation of the injustice that was perpetrated on Bloody Sunday. Prosecutors had been investigating whether i6 individuals lied to the Bloody Sunday inquiry. 15 of them are former soldiers, one a former alleged member of the ira. One of the soldiers whose evidence was looked at was the former paratrooper known as soldier f. He is currently being prosecuted for murder and attempted murder, but that case remains unaffected. Soldier f is the only individual being prosecuted over Bloody Sunday. The victims loved ones plan to appeal todays decision. We made a promise at one stage after the tragedy of Bloody Sunday that we would seek justice for our loved ones. And until our last breath, thats what we are going to do. I was there on Bloody Sunday. I witnessed it. I carried michael that day, i helped take him to hospital. I was in the mortuary afterwards and i will never forget one second of that day. We believe that some day, justice will be done. Sara girvin, bbc news. The time is 6 19. Our top story this evening World Leaders call for restraint as israel appears to launch attacks inside iran on the city of isfahan. And coming up a game changer for people with impaired mobility, a special report On New Touchless computer software. Coming up on sportsday in 15 minutes time on bbc news lando noris survives a Shanghai Downpour to qualify on pole for the first sprint race of the formula i season with Max Verstappen only 4th. 50,000 stories will unfold on sunday at this years London Marathon as people of all ages run 26. 2 miles through the capital. Millions of pounds will be raised for charity. Famously, many run in costume, like daniel fairbrother, who will be running with a fridge strapped to his back to raise money for diabetes. And jess walkin will be donning a costume of a brain to support research into brain tumours. Organisers believe this years event, the 44th, will be the most inclusive yet. The Elite Wheelchair and able bodied racers will earn equal prize money, and theres growing recognition of all disabilities, asjoe wilson reports. Turn a bit more towards me. You are good there. In london, the elite gathered. The worlds best marathon runners, and they know whos missing. Last year here, Kelvin Kiptum set a new course record. In october, the world record. In february, with his coach, kiptum was killed in a car crash. Hed redefined what people thought was possible. Marathon running teaches us a lot about life. It teaches that the more you put in, the more you get out, but it also, what happened with kelvin teaches us that life is so short, at what we need to do is grab every opportunity and take it. And the world record. Well, we know that marathons are rapidly getting quicker, thanks to Shoe Technology in particular. Tigst assefa is the worlds fastest woman. She will be racing here on sunday. But there are many ways to break records, and to change preconceptions. Well done, lloyd. 15 miles today. Doing brilliantly. 19 year old lloyd martin, coached by his mum, supported by special olympics, has trained to become the youngest person with down� s syndrome to run a marathon. Yeah, some of the days its raining. Yeah. All weathers, when its sunny or raining or snowing, i keep running. And then ijust go with it. We all need inspiration. American chris nikic is an ironman triathlete. He campaigned for the 321 number to be worn by an athlete with intellectual disability at every major marathon. Pass it on, to lloyd. So, its pretty simple. I mean, just be ready to bring a hard work ethic, have fun, you can have your moment. Yeah, practise the celebration. The marathon belongs to everyone. Joe wilson, bbc news, central london. Now a look at a few other stories making The News Today a Primary School teacher, fiona beal, has admitted killing her partner, whose tied up body was found buried in the garden. The remains of nicholas billingham, who was 42, were found at a home in northampton in 2022. At the old bailey, beal admitted manslaughter, but is now on trialfor murder. Rishi sunak has set out plans which could see gps stripped of the power to sign people off sick in england. The Prime Minister, who was visiting a Shoe Repair Shop today, said Specialist Work and Health Professionals would be given the job of issuing fit notes. The Charity Scope has criticised the Prime Ministers plans, branding them a a full on assault on disabled people. Labour has set out its plans for building more houses in england. The labour leader, sir keir starmer, said they will protect green spaces but would make it easier for councils and developers to build on areas in the green belt such scrubland on the outskirts of towns what he is calling the greybelt. Theres mounting criticism of the Football Association this afternoon, following the announcement that theyre scrapping fa cup replays. The English Football League, which represents the 72 professional sides outside the Premier League, say its further evidence that its clubs are being marginalised in favour of Premier League teams. Our Sports Correspondentjane Dougall is at old trafford. Jane. Jane, it is how this decision has come about that has caused a row, and it has escalated today. Add iiam, and it has escalated today. Add am, the fa said in a statement that representatives from the English Football League had been present at early meetings when it had been agreed that fa cup replays would be scrapped. Four hours later, the efl said no such agreement had been made with them, and that it was an example of how the efl and its clubs are being marginalised, and that it threatened the future of the english game. Manchester united are playing in the fa cup this weekend, and top tier clubs like them would probably accept this decision, but for lower league clubs, it means they miss out on the opportunity of perhaps playing at a ground like this one and of course earning revenue from replays. One of the most famous upsets in fa cup history was a replay. In 1972, non league side Hereford United knocked out Division One Newcastle united, but now there will be fewer opportunities for scenes like those. The fa say that it has made its decision, but many feel that the excitement of earning a replay shouldnt be taken away from lower league clubs. All right, thank very much. Gaming is hugely popular and an increasingly important part of the uk economy, and now a group of Computer Science students have developed a touchless system which could be a game changer for anyone with impaired mobility. It means people can play with just physical gestures for example, using their eyes or mouth. Our correspondent paul carter has been trying out the technology with pupils in north london. This is the Richard Cloudesley school in london. Right, there we go. Although this is no ordinary lesson. Not only are these pupils getting to play video games during school time, they are also helping to test an exciting new suite of software collectively known as motion input. Developed over four years by over 200 students at University College london, motion input allows anyone to control their computers using any part of their body they can move, such as eyes, individual limbs or facial gestures. Crucially, motion input doesnt need any additional specialised equipment. Previous technologies that have been released have enabled children to play games with movement. This technology democratises that. It makes it equitable computing. From the perspective of a user choosing their own games, setting the movements that they want to set and being able to play the way that they want to play it, thats where we think the real foundational challenge has been. All right, you ready, safia . Safia is using the I Gaze Application to play different types of games using eye movements. You are a better driver than i am. Thats the young ones suitably impressed. Over at ucl, the students working on motion input were keen for someone slightly less youthful to see how it works. Using body point. First up, everyones favourite Block Builder and basher, minecraft. So, im just moving around here in minecraft by using my right arm as a mouse and my left arm as kind of like a joystick. I think ive cracked it now. Its so cool. Dwell on this look button so we can look around. I was also able to play minecraft using eye tracking. This is amazing. Im literally using my eyes and my head to look around. Look out attack, you can attack the cows. 0h i dont want to attack the cows laughter. The future aim is to commercialise the non accessibility applications of the software into industries such as manufacturing or health care. But, in the short term, its all about the games. Paul carter, bbc news. Now, if you have a taylor swift fan in your household you will know that there is double excitement today about her new album. The tortured Poets Department was released this morning, and then just hours later she announced a second instalment, with another 15 tracks. Our music correspondent mark savage has been listening. New music from taylor swift. Fans thought they were getting 16 tracks, and then, in the small hours of this morning, a surprise. Two hours after it was released, taylor added 15 extra songs. Writing online, she explained shed written so much tortured poetry in the past two years that she felt compelled to share it. Many of the songs deal with her break up from the british actorjoe alwyn. He said hed love me all his life. This is so good. The emotional weight of the album floored many of her fans. But critics gave it a clutch of four and five star reviews. I think its a really beautiful record. I think its swift at the height of her songwriting prowess. I think its also clearly a very intimate album where she goes into a lot of in depth detail about whats been going on in her personal life and for that, i think its also a very cathartic album. Fans at this Listening Event in london told us why taylor is so important to them. To see someone flourish like taylor has, it gives hope for the rest of us. She is just continually growing. Shes such an inspiration. Welcome to the eras tour taylors record breaking eras tour hits the uk injune. Presumably, some of these 31 new songs will be added to the set list then. Mark savage, bbc news. Follow that, chris fawkes laughter there have been one or two showers around today. The reason the Shower Clouds have been with us, this is actually an old cold front but it is still significant because behind this feature we actually have some much colder air thats moving in on northerly winds, affecting much of the uk, and we will see temperatures drop overnight, colder night on the cards, but into the weekend, its not cold everywhere. For the West Of Scotland and northern ireland, thats where the warmest weather will be. We have northerly winds feeding in colder air overnight. With Clearing Skies over night, we are looking at a widespread frost, and i suspect there will be patches of frost around across parts of southern england. The lowest temperatures in northern england, southern scotland, minus three celsius also. Tomorrow, a chilly wind coming down the north sea,