Transcripts For BBCNEWS Verified 20240704

The truth behind them. We start in brazil and a crucial summit to protect the amazon rain forest. The leaders of eight South American countries that share the amazon are gathering the first time in 45 years theres been a meeting like this. Scientists are concerned that deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible Tipping Point. Brazils president Lula Da Silva is hoping for a co ordinated regional approach, to tackle illegal mining and logging as well as other environmental crimes. The amazon rainforest, is a crucial buffer against Climate Change and 60 of it is located in brazil. It acts as a major � carbon sink� absorbing Carbon Dioxide emissions. President lula has already promised to end deforestation by 2030. Rainforest destruction had surged under his predecessor, jair bolsonaro. And it appears some progress is already being made. Injuly of this year, 500 Square Kilometres of rainforest was cleared in brazil 66 less than injuly of last year. The rainforest is home to 50 Million People, including hundreds of indigenous groups, who depend on the unique ecosystem. 0ur south america correspondent katy watson sent this report from Para The Most Deforested state in brazil. Virgin forests still exist here in the amazon, but every day, the illegal loggers get closer. For those living under the rainforests canopy, its been a difficult few years. Translator you have no idea how much pressure i there was in our community under the bolsonaro government. Landowners circling planes, soya farmers wanting to buy the land to deforest it. Hobson and his trees stood firm. Hes buying into a booming carbon credit industry, taking part in Sustainable Farming projects that sell Carbon Credits to companies wanting to offset their emissions. Its become so popular in this part of the amazon that authorities have accused carbon Credit Companies of harassment, pressuring communities to sign contracts. Bianca and herfamily, like many in the region, want better services, like schools and health centres. But theyre suspicious of these newcomers offering to help. Translator it is not that transparent. We cannot see how it would give us a secure life. We are always on the back foot and fear the consequences. Because of these stories we heard, we decided not to sign a contract. How to ensure the amazons future and how to provide for its people is the biggest dilemma facing leaders at this weeks summit in belem. Lulas ambitious, but its no easy task. Just to get to this part of the amazon, it took 13 hours overnight on a riverboat and now this smaller boat to get to the communities here. But if you look on a map, it all looks so close together, and itjust goes to show how vast the amazon is, but also how difficult it is to navigate and, ultimately, also how difficult it will be for lula to achieve his zero deforestation by 2030. This is hernandes plantation, the tools and training funded by a carbon credit company. Last year, the community had to drive out five illegal Sawmills Felling Trees from their land. But defending their territory from loggers is an Impossible Task on their own. Partnering with those who have the funds is the only option. For the company, empowering the community is key. So too is empowering the region as a whole. When global north comes to global south and says, i have the solution, were like, really . Have you been to the amazon . How do you know whats good for them . You dont have your boots on the ground. So its very easy to say, i have the solution. People here want south americas voice heard before its too late. Katy watson, bbc news in para. Lets go live now to carlos nobre, an earth system scientist, who joins us from where that Amazon Summit is taking place. How summit is taking place. Important is this summit . Afternoon. How important is this summit . Good afternoon it how important is this summit . Good afternoon. It is how important is this summit . Good afternoon. It is very how important is this summit . emf. Afternoon. It is very important, the most important meeting of president s in the region ever and we are in a critical moment, very close to the Tipping Point that most of the amazon will disappear in the forest will degrade. We hope the president s will degrade. We hope the president s will agree on getting 20 deforestation, zero wildfires, certainly before 2030 will agree on getting to zero deforestation. We have to stop the Tipping Point and we have to stop Forest Degradation all over the amazon. Can we have to stop Forest Degradation all over the amazon. All over the amazon. Can you give viewers a snapshot all over the amazon. Can you give viewers a snapshot of all over the amazon. Can you give viewers a snapshot of what all over the amazon. Can you give viewers a snapshot of what is viewers a snapshot of what is currently being lost . This is from our Science Editor in 2019. The roblem our Science Editor in 2019. The problem is. Our Science Editor in 2019. The problem is, more our Science Editor in 2019. The problem is, more and more of it is being problem is, more and more of it is being chopped down, it is hard to believe being chopped down, it is hard to believe but an area the size of a Football Believe but an area the size of a Football Pitch is being cleared every Football Pitch is being cleared every single minute. What that means is that every single minute. What that means is that forest that could cover more than 2000 is that forest that could cover more than 2000 pitches isjust is that forest that could cover more than 2000 pitches is just vanishing every than 2000 pitches is just vanishing every day, than 2000 pitches is just vanishing every day, and all the signs are that the every day, and all the signs are that the rate of devastation will accelerate. That the rate of devastation will accelerate accelerate. Indeed it has. Even since 2019 accelerate. Indeed it has. Even since 2019. You accelerate. Indeed it has. Even since 2019. You were accelerate. Indeed it has. Even since 2019. You were talking. Accelerate. Indeed it has. Even since 2019. You were talking about a Tipping Point. How much of the amazon is under threat . Yes. Tipping point. How much of the amazon is under threat . Yes, so far the Amazon Amazon is under threat . Yes, so far the amazon was amazon is under threat . Yes, so far the amazon was originally amazon is under threat . Yes, so far the amazon was originally 6. 5 the amazon was originally 6. 5 million Square Kilometres and 2 million Square Kilometres and 2 million kilometres squares have been degraded. We are very close to the Tipping Point. If we exceed 25 of Forest Deforestation we are going to cross the Tipping Point, mostly in the southern portion of the amazon, but at least in the seven months of this year deforestation in the amazon in brazil is about 61 , has declined a lot. 43 injanuary, july, and it seems we will continue declining. So we are hopeful that not only brazil but all amazonian countries will pursue going to zero deforestation and degradation within a few years. It is deforestation and degradation within a few ears. ,. , deforestation and degradation within afew ears. ,. , �. , a few years. It is not ust brazil, as ou a few years. It is not ust brazil, as you said. A few years. It is not ust brazil, as you said. It h a few years. It is not ust brazil, as you said, it is a few years. It is notjust brazil, as you said, it is eight a few years. It is notjust brazil, as you said, it is eight countriesj as you said, it is eight countries which contain and how parts of the amazon within their borders. Are there Common Solutions . To start with we have there Common Solutions . To start with we have to there Common Solutions . To start with we have to understand there Common Solutions . To start with we have to understand that l with we have to understand that Something Like 90 of deforestation is completely legal all over the amazon, so this is Land Grabbing and illegal forestation amazon, so this is Land Grabbing and illegalforestation in amazon, so this is Land Grabbing and illegal forestation in land holders, land holding farms, and for all the amazonian countries, most of the deforestation is very high, brazil, number one, bolivia, peru, ecuador, venezuela, they have to combat the organised crime. Most the deforestation is linked to drug trafficking, organised crime, the land grabbers. So it has to be effective, combating organised crime. Satellite Monitoring Systems detect illegal deforestation almost daily so it has to be almost like a war against organised crime. If those countries are successful in combating the environmental criminals, im sure they will reduce deforestation very, very quickly, and they will reach zero in a few years. And they will reach zero in a few ears. ~. ,. ,. ,. ,. , years. We have got to leave it for now but thanks years. We have got to leave it for now but thanks for years. We have got to leave it for now but thanks forjoining years. We have got to leave it for now but thanks forjoining us. Breaking news coming in from the court in the uk. Jurors deliberating in the murder trial of the nurse lucy letby can return majority verdicts, that is what the judge has just said to the jurors. Lucy letby is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill ten others at the countess of Chester Hospital between june 2015 and june 2016. The Betweenjune 2015 and june 2016. The jury between june 2015 and june 2016. The jury has heard Betweenjune 2015 and june 2016. The jury has heard nine months of evidence including claims that lucy letby deliberately injected babies with air and poisoned son with insulin. The seven women and four men have been deliberating now for 15 days and the judge said the new direction means they will have to agree by 10 1 on any counts which are not unanimous. Lucy letby is 33 and originally from hereford and has denied all the charges against her. But thejury has denied all the charges against her. But the jury has been told by the judge they can return a majority verdict. We will bring you any more developments as it comes into us. Lets turn to the Major Political emergency unfolding in west africa following the Military Coup in niger. Diplomatic efforts to find a resolution have stepped up with a warning from washington. Speaking to the bbc the us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken has voiced his concern that nigers military leaders, might turn to the Russian Mercenary Group wagner for help. The group is active in neighbouring countries theyre seen here in the Central African republic injuly of this year and its leader has welcomed the takeover. The coup leaders, are currently Standing Firm against calls to restore democratic rule. Heres what mr blinken had to say about wagner a little earlier. For sure, we have concerns when we see Something Like the wagner group possibly manifesting itself in different parts of the sahel. And here is why we are concerned. Because every single place that this group, wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. Insecurity has gone up, not down. It has not been a response to the needs of the countries in question for greater security. I think what happened and what continues to happen in niger was not instigated by russia or by wagner but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it and we see a repeat of what has happened in other countries where theyve brought nothing but bad things in their wake, that wouldnt be good. Well, the wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has released an Audio Message Refering to the coup in niger. The recording was released on telegram, though the date and location cant be independently verified. He had this message apparently for the coup leaders translation we are always on the side of goodness, justice and on the side of those who fight for sovereignty and for the rights of their people. Call us any time. 0ur correspondent Nkechi 0gbonna is monitoring developments from neighbouring nigeria. We heard from Antony Blinken. He was clear that the wagner group may not have instigated the coup in niger but they were taking the most advantage out of a situation like this. ,. , advantage out of a situation like this. ,. , this. Yes. The coup leaders in niger have asked this. Yes. The coup leaders in niger have asked the this. Yes. The coup leaders in niger have asked the wagner this. Yes. The coup leaders in niger have asked the wagner group this. Yes. The coup leaders in niger| have asked the wagner group forces for support following the ecowas deadline at the ultimatum to cede power to president mohamed bazoum. We know mali and burkina faso, their co leaders arrived in the capital of niger, niamey, yesterday, to show solidarity in the event of Military Intervention if ecowas decides to do that. ,. , intervention if ecowas decides to do that. , intervention if ecowas decides to do that. ,. , that. Give your assessment on the resence that. Give your assessment on the presence in that. Give your assessment on the presence in the that. Give your assessment on the presence in the area that. Give your assessment on the presence in the area of that. Give your assessment on the presence in the area of the that. Give your assessment on the | presence in the area of the wagner group and the consequences of that. Currently, we cannot confirm if the wagner group forces are in niger but we know that they have had Military Operations in neighbouring burkina faso and mali where the co leaders there have had support their following the breaking of military relations with france, theirformer colonial master. They have been in the region and the coup leaders believe they will help in curbing the islamist and jihadist operations. They have marred the region for decades, Displacing Millions of people and causing a humanitarian crisis in the region. We have this summit coming up on thursday and that will be vital in terms of the next crucial stage but if it was to be the case that the us pulls economic support for niger, what would be the likely consequences . What would be the likely consequences . What would be the likely conseauences . ~. , consequences . Well, at this time the us has said It Consequences . Well, at this time the us has said it has consequences . Well, at this time the us has said it has caused consequences . Well, at this time the us has said it has caused some consequences . Well, at this time the us has said it has caused some aid i us has said it has caused some aid to niger and we dont know exactly what that entails and the total that would be withdrawn but we know that niger benefits about 200 million in aid from the us in 2021 according to the figures so when Ecowas Heads Of State meet on thursday to decide on what the next moves would be concerning niger, we can only imagine what that would be, if they were to decide on a Military Intervention to force the coup leaders to cede the power back to mohamed bazoum. 0ne leaders to cede the power back to mohamed bazoum. One thing is certain, ecowas says it will explore diplomatic and political options and the Military Intervention would be the Military Intervention would be the last resort is the group has had before. As the group has said before. As the group has said before. ,. , Around The World and across the uk. This is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. Nhs flu jabs and covid boosters, will be scrapped for under 65s this winter. 12 Million People aged 50 to 60 who were eligible during the pandemic can no longer get the free jabs. The roll out of boosters, is expected to start in october, a full month later than usual. A man has been arrested, after a stabbing close to the british museum. The Metropoliton Police stress the incident is not terror related with no outstanding risk to the public. The man who was stabbed in the arm has been taken to hospital. Civil servants in the Scottish Government spent Tens Of Thousands of taxpayers money, including spending nearly £10,000, on vip airport services. Formerfirst minister nicola sturgeon, and her staff, were given fast track security and access to lounges at uk and european airports. Officials say all purchases were subject to robust authorisation. Youre live with bbc news. Now to breaking news. Update coming in, a charity representing Asylum Seekers who were due to be moved on the Accommodation Barge say four transfers have now been cancelled following the threat of legal action. A Home Office Source has denied any cancellations but that is what the charity has said. Care for candidates is the four men will not now be moved to the bb stockholm. For calais says the four men will not now be moved to the bibby stockholm. So that charity says that four of those transfers have now been cancelled. We will keep a close eye on that story and bring you any details. In Ireland Thousands of mourners have gathered for the funeral, of the singer Sinead Oconnor who died last month at the age of 56. There was a huge turn out in the coastal town of bray, near dublin, to say farewell to the star. The procession passed her former home. From there our reporter sara girvin sent this update. They have been singing, laying flowers and tributes and sharing memories of the singer and activist. 0ne fan told us earlier that she got up at 2am this morning to travel here. Another couple have just stopped us to show us pictures of their grandchildren with the star. That is how much shes thought of here, and how important it was for people to be in bray today. After a private service this morning, just about an hour ago, the Funeral Cortege passed through this coastal road, past her home. Music had been playing up until that point, people had been singing, but when the car got here, you could have heard a pin drop. There was silence. But not for long, because there were rounds of applause after rounds of applause as people were embracing each other and throwing flowers at the vehicle. Really, really emotional scenes. Then the vehicle went on down this road, it went on to a private burial. This was the only public part of the service. One of the attendees at the private part was the irish president , michael d higgins, and he said not long ago that sinead 0connor� s contribution to music was phenomenal. He said it came from incredible pain. Perhaps too much for one to bear. The people here have been really grateful that they got to say their final goodbyes. It was a day of very mixed emotions, of mourning but of celebration too. Sinead 0connor� s death led to an outpouring of tributes from ireland and across the world. Musicjournalist and broadcaster, dave fanning, explained her impact notjust as an artist but as an activist too. The second album made her a superstar up there with madonna and she absolutely did not want anything to do with that, she did not want the fame, the treadmill that she would have had to go on. Nothing against those who want that, but she wanted to do the opposite, follow her muse, go into different genres of music and that is what she did. But the lyrics were always there, saying what she wanted to say. Even, for instance, the first album after that big one was a collection ofjazz standards, but after that, she did all sorts of music, irish music here, reggae music over injamaica, she always had certain things to say about the way the world was in terms of social activism and all of that, and feminism. Somebody said earlier on she was a huge Breakthrough Forfeminism in ireland she was a huge breakthrough for feminism Around The World. If you look back at the early 90s, which is a long time ago, i suppose, 33 years ago or thereabouts, i mean, she was a visionary and an artist who was treated disdainfully by everyone. Instead of opening peoples eyes to the staggeringly huge extent of, for instance, the churchs Abuse Problem and the shameful cover up, she became the target of this vitriol and public protests, even. It was quite strange. She was telling the truth, and the public targeted this uppity, petulant woman for some kind of metaphorical stoning. The point about it is, now people see i mean, they saw, supposedly, in the year 2000, when the church came out and admitted a few things, but right now, they see just how many things, just how many causes, just how many social activities she was involved in where she said this, this and this and she was proved right. But my god, she paid a bit of a toll, you know, because she lost a lot in trying to tell the truth. Its been another big day at the womens world cup with two more teams making it through to the quarter finals colombia and france coming out on top in their matches. Im joined by our reporter, mimi fawaz. We now have the quarterfinal line up. We now have the quarterfinal lineu. ,. , lineup. France showed their su erior lineup. France showed their Superior Quality lineup. France showed their Superior Quality against lineup. France showed their Superior Quality against morocco, thrashing them at 0 0. Morocco is the first arab country to qualify in this competition, the first time to make it into the last 16. France proved too much for them to deal with. They had lots of defensive mistakes but do not forget this is the fourth consecutive time that france have reached the quarterfinals of the womens world cup. Quarterfinals of the womens world cu. , quarterfinals of the womens world cu. ,. ,. , quarterfinals of the womens world cu. ,. , quarterfinals of the womens world cup. They are oined by columbia and that match cup. They are joined by columbia and that match was cup. They are joined by columbia and that match was much cup. They are joined by columbia and that match was much tighter . Cup. They are joined by columbia and| that match was much tighter . Indeed. Colombia winning that match was much tighter . Indeed. Colombia winning 10 that match was much tighter . Indeed. Colombia winning 10 against colombia winning1 0 against jamaica. Jamaica were very strong defensively in the group stages, but colombia eventually were able to break through the defence and get a goal. Colombia looking very good. They had a Shock Victory over the two time champions germany in the group stages and they will be a tough opponent for england who faced them next in the quarterfinals on saturday. Face. Them next in the quarterfinals on saturday. Face. Them next in the quarterfinals on saturday. Face. Lauren james was sent off in saturday. Face. Lauren james was sent off in the saturday. Face. Lauren james was sent off in the last saturday. Face. Lauren james was sent off in the last match saturday. Face. Lauren james was sent off in the last match for sent off in the last match for england and she issued an apology today but she is out of the quarterfinal. Today but she is out of the quarterfinal. Today but she is out of the ruarterfinal. , a , quarterfinal. She picked up the red card in the nigeria quarterfinal. She picked up the red card in the nigeria match, quarterfinal. She picked up the red| card in the nigeria match, stepping on the back of the nigerian player, and she came out on twitter to apologise for what she did. The nigerian defender has supported her and told people to leave her alone. England have spoken about it is her first time and she is very young, on the world stage, and emotions got the world stage, and emotions got the best of her, but england have got to wait and see whether they will miss her for the got to wait and see whether they will miss herfor the rest got to wait and see whether they will miss her for the rest of the tournament. If fifa review it and give her a two match ban. It could be a big miss for england. It give her a two match ban. It could be a big miss for england. It would be a big miss for england. It would be a big miss for england. It would be a hue be a big miss for england. It would be a huge blow be a big miss for england. It would be a huge blow because be a big miss for england. It would be a huge blow because she be a big miss for england. It would be a huge blow because she has i be a big miss for england. It would i be a huge blow because she has been a real star of the tournament so far for england. We will leave it there but thanks forjoining us. It is now getting down to the sharp end of this tournament now. Before we go some lovely pictures to show You A Black Bear blamed for a string of break ins in california has been captured after more than a year on the run. The animal weighing 35 stone is believed to have forced her way into more than 20 homes in the lake tahoe area to steal food. The bear nicknamed Hank The Tank will be moved to a new home, 1,200 miles away at a sanctuary in colorado. Stay with us here on bbc news. Hello there. I think most of us have had to manage our expectations a little with summer 2023 across the uk, and the next few days no exception, im afraid. So far today the best of the sunshine has been through the north scotland, Northern Ireland and northern england. There has been a bit of a north south divide. Further south it was a cloudy, misty, murky, drizzly start to the day and that cloud and drizzle is pushing its way steadily east as we speak out of wales, out of south west england, over towards the capital and along the kent coast for the remainder of the afternoon. In fact, we draw a line really from north wales over to lincolnshire. Anywhere north of that will continue to see the best of the sunshine. A few scattered showers. The winds will strengthen close to gale force across the northern isles, tied in to storm hans thats affecting scandinavia at the moment. But one unifying factor is the feel of the weather still disappointing for this time of year. High teens for most, maybe, if were lucky, 20 or 21 degrees. Now, as we go through the evening and overnight, well see that rain easing away from the kent coast. We keep some Cloud Filtering in across the south west. Where weve got the breaks in the cloud temperatures into single figures, but it feels quite humid down to the south west by the end of the night as were tapping in to that warmer air coming from the near continent. High pressure is building and we will start to see an improving picture on wednesday, but this warm front toppling across the high will still introduce more in the way of Nuisance Cloud and drizzle. Quite murky conditions once again on those exposed west coasts. Northern and eastern areas seeing the best of the sunshine and potentially the best of the warmth on wednesday, but all of us will be a degree or so up in comparison to of late, so low 20s, possibly as high as 20 or 25 degrees. Thats the mid 70s fahrenheit. Warmer still as we go into thursday. Were going to tap into some extreme heat thats pushing its way up from iberia. By the time it gets to us, its not going to be, obviously, as hot. But nevertheless, thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the week as we see those temperatures widely into the mid 20s, possibly as high as 27 degrees. Thats 80 fahrenheit. But its not expected to last, as somewhat cooler and showery conditions are set to return from friday and into the weekend. Thats it. Take care. This is bbc news, the headlines. Saving the amazon leaders from eight South American countries gather to thrash out an urgent plan to protect the rainforest. A bbc news investigation uncovers allegations of sexual abuse by Spiritual Healers In Morocco and sudan. Portugal battles renewed wildfires in the countrys third heatwave this year. We hear live from one resident in the fires path. The uks Elections Watchdog reveals it has been the victim of a complex cyber attack potentially affecting millions of voters. Well talk live to the chair of the electoral commission. And well be live from fringe in edinburgh, where comedians and theatrical performers have gathered for the festivals 76th year. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres tanya arnold