Transcripts For BBCNEWS Verified 20240703

Welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. The former ceo of Global Fashion brand Abercrombie Fitch and his british partnerface allegations of exploitation from men recruited for sex events they hosted Around The World. A bbc investigation found a highly organised operation running the events, with a Middleman Finding Young Adult men for mikejeffries and his partner matthew smith. Jeffries is regarded as the modern day founder of abercrombie and fitch, which also owns the Hollister Brand. Eight men told the bbc they attended these events, some of whom alleged they were exploited or abused. Two former us prosecutors who independently reviewed evidence uncovered by the bbc have called for an investigation to determine whether charges for Sex Trafficking could be brought. Mrjeffries and mr smith did not respond to requests for comment. In the early to thousands, sexualised imagery and provocative billboards turned the teen retailer, which also owns the Hollister Brand into a multibillion Dollar Sensation the man behind the vision was then ceo mikejeffries. Mike was tireless. He ceo mike jeffries. Mike was tireless. ,. , tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous. He tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous. He was tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous. He was incredibly tireless. He was very energetic and boisterous. He was incredibly big i boisterous. He was incredibly big personality. He would explode into a room. � � personality. He would explode into a room. . ,. ,. ,. , hihl room. Bbc panorama has uncovered a highly organised room. Bbc panorama has uncovered a highly organised International Highly organised International Operation recruiting young adult men for six with mikejeffries over several years when he was the ceo of the brand. This several years when he was the ceo of the brand. ,. , the brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing the brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing me the brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing me up. The brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing me up. Two the brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing me up. Two men | the brand. This experience broke me Mentally Messing me up. Two men have aareed Mentally Messing me up. Two men have a. Reed to Mentally Messing me up. Two men have agreed to tell Mentally Messing me up. Two men have agreed to tell me Mentally Messing me up. Two men have agreed to tell me their Mentally Messing me up. Two men have agreed to tell me their accounts Mentally Messing me up. Two men have agreed to tell me their accounts on agreed to tell me their accounts on camera. They attended separate events hosted by mikejeffries in 2010 and 2011. Both men say they were recruited and auditioned by a middleman, james jacobson, known to the men asjin. David says to mr jacobson led him to believe he was pursuing a meddling opportunity. I was made to believe look, this is where everybody gets their start. This is where you went to get your start. It was like he was selling fame. And the price was compliance. David says compliance meant engaging in a sexual act with mrjacobson. Several more men ive spoken to say they also met with jen. Several more men ive spoken to say they also met withjen. The men Say Mrjacobson was part of a Well Oiled Machine which included recruiters, drivers and other staff. Mrjacobson told the bbc and he encounters were fully consensual, not co air set. He said he had no recollection of making promises of Modelling Opportunities and that everyone who he came into contact with you attended these events when in with their eyes wide open. This is the route the men will have taken on their way to the hamptons when they would go meet with mikejeffries. Once to the audition, the men would then go to an event hosted by mr jeffries and his british partner, matthew smith. Somewhere were held at their home here in the exclusive new york coastal community, the hamptons. Barrett said he was introduced to mrjacobson by an older model who he felt indebted to. New there would be some kind of sexual activity. New there would be some kind of sexualactivity. David new there would be some kind of sexual activity. David said he was not expecting six to take place the hamptons. I not expecting six to take place the ham tons. , not expecting six to take place the hamtons. ,. ,. ,. ,. , hamptons. I was chaperoned over to the main house hamptons. I was chaperoned over to the main house to hamptons. I was chaperoned over to the main house to the hamptons. I was chaperoned over to the main house to the door hamptons. I was chaperoned over to the main house to the door that the main house to the door that entered into the bedroom where everything was happening. And then told to disrobe. Told to disrobe. Barrett says he enuuaed told to disrobe. Barrett says he engaged in told to disrobe. Barrett says he engaged in intent told to disrobe. Barrett says he engaged in intent act told to disrobe. Barrett says he engaged in intent act with told to disrobe. Barrett says he i engaged in intent act with another man. David says mrjeffries had six at hand. I man. David says mrjeffries had six at hand. �. , at hand. I didnt feel safe to say no or i dont at hand. I didnt feel safe to say no or i dont feel at hand. I didnt feel safe to say no or i dont feel comfortable i at hand. I didnt feel safe to say i no or i dont feel comfortable with this. I dont really know what would have happened. I didnt feel like i had any choice stop at both men say they felt leaving didnt feel an option because mrjeffries private staff where supervising the event, including in the bedroom. They also say they were asked to sign Nondisclosure Agreements before hand and where not given any copies to take away. It and where not given any copies to take awa. And where not given any copies to take away take away. It felt like intimidation. Take away. It felt like intimidation. Both i take away. It felt like l intimidation. Both men take away. It felt like intimidation. Both men were take away. It felt like intimidation. Both men were paid after the events intimidation. Both men were paid after the events are intimidation. Both men were paid after the events are attended,. Intimidation. Both men were paid| after the events are attended, still hoping it may lead to modelling work, david went to further events with mrjeffries and mr smith, both in the us and Around The World. Two us lawyers who reviewed evidence uncovered by the bbc said prosecutors should investigate whether the allegations could amount to six trafficking. The bbc has made repeated attempts to contact that you contact mrjeffries and mr smith. They have not responded. Abercrombie and fitch told us it is appalled and disgusted by the allegations by the former ceos behaviour. It is a new executive Leadership Team that has transformed the brand and culture, adding the company has Zero Tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind. You can watch panoramas the abercrombie guys The Dark Side of cool at 9pm on bbc one and now on bbc iplayer. And listen to the Podcast Series World of secret season one the abercrombie guys on bbc sounds. To the uk, Downing Street insists no final decisions have been taken on the future of hs2. It says reports that rishi sunak has decided to scrap the birmingham to manchester leg of the high speed rail link are incorrect that question around hs2, despite what is on the official agenda, absolutely dominating day after day hs2. � ,. , absolutely dominating day after day h52. , h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed, h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed. Very h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed, very similar h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed, very similar figure h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed, very similar figure i h52. Absolutely right, matthew. Indeed, very similar figure i spoke l indeed, very similarfigure i spoke to in government before i came here to in government before i came here to manchester if a decision wasnt taken before this conference and what should be the destination of phase two of hs2. It would actually dominate this conference and even if it isnt mentioned in official speeches, its mentioned on the french estimates mentioned amongst just about everyone that you speak to hear. Again, there are some people in government who are saying this leg from birmingham to manchester is all but dead. They simply needs to be an announcement telling people, giving them the certainty that this part of the scheme will at the very least be substantially scaled back. However Downing Street i say no official decision has been taken from of the same line from that chance or when he spoke to the bbc this morning. But it is the case that even conservative supporting Industry Figures are now getting very nervous, notjust about figures are now getting very nervous, not just about the decision itself, some of them are completely opposed to the scheme being scrapped, but the bigger question is the uncertainty. And as far as i am aware from discussions ive had here behind the scenes, discussions about whether the Prime Minister himself settles this issue this week. That is amongst settles this issue this week. That is amongst the settles this issue this week. That is amongst the prime settles this issue this week. That is amongst the Prime Minister and his closest team. What is the wider reaction as these rumours swirl around . ~. ,. , around . Well, certainly some of the com anies around . Well, certainly some of the companies have around . Well, certainly some of the companies have been around . Well, certainly some of the companies have been involved around . Well, certainly some of the companies have been involved in. Around . Well, certainly some of thel companies have been involved in h52 companies have been involved in hs2 that have supported the hs2 scheme. Disappointed with the insurgency, but if indeed it is scrapped, there will be even more disappointing because they think this is, to some extent, would to signify the country sending a signal out that would be unable to deliver and pick infrastructure projects. The earlier i spoke to Darren Kaplan from the Chief Executive for the Industry Association from around 300 of his members have been involved in each sto. And this is what they said. The members at sto. And this is what they said. The members at 350 plus across the Countrx Members at 350 plus across the country. Track train signalling to a consultancy. And of course, a lot of them consultancy. And of course, a lot of them welcome hsz the scheme are very concerned them welcome hsz the scheme are very concerned about what is going on at the moment. Gf concerned about what is going on at the moment concerned about what is going on at the moment. ,. , the moment. Of the momentum of the let the moment. Of the momentum of the leg between the moment. Of the momentum of the leg between manchester, the moment. Of the momentum of the leg between manchester, the the moment. Of the momentum of the leg between manchester, the council l leg between manchester, the council say no official decision has been taken. In your discussions with Government Ministers and government advisers, do you have a clear sense of this . Bill advisers, do you have a clear sense of this . �. , advisers, do you have a clear sense ofthis . � advisers, do you have a clear sense ofthis . � , advisers, do you have a clear sense ofthis . ~ ,. , of this . All i can say is there have been a sense of this . All i can say is there have been a sense of of this . All i can say is there have been a sense of total of this . All i can say is there have been a sense of total chaos been a sense of total chaos today when been a sense of total chaos today when it been a sense of total chaos today when it comes to policymaking. Ive talked when it comes to policymaking. Ive talked to when it comes to policymaking. Ive talked to stakeholders, journalists, no one talked to stakeholders, journalists, no one seems to know what is going on. No one seems to know what is going on some no one seems to know what is going on. Some people say it will definitely be scrapped about scrapping hsz definitely be scrapped about Scrapping H52 and replacing those schemes Scrapping H52 and replacing those schemes. Others say its all speculation, nothing is going to happen speculation, nothing is going to happen. We are obviously very concerned happen. We are obviously very concerned because our members and best people, time, machinery and projects. Best people, time, machinery and projects, and if they dont know what projects, and if they dont know what is projects, and if they dont know what is going on from its a waste of their time what is going on from its a waste of theirtime and what is going on from its a waste of their time and they could end up having their time and they could end up having job their time and they could end up having job losses and much more negative having job losses and much more negative consequences, so a bit of certainty negative consequences, so a bit of certainty from government wouldnt io certainty from government wouldnt go amiss is effectively saying this is something that has real big life consequences. This is something which he thinks the government needs to be much clearer on, from his Point Of View he would want that project to go ahead. Interesting, also, somebody else would like to see it going ahead would be the Conservative Majer of the West Midlands, anti street. Hes been arguing that it is bizarre because it looks like hst will definitely go between london and birmingham, but he thinks the project will be relatively useless unless that goes all the way to manchester, and in the next hour, i think he is also going to be making his clear white man thinks they match from inside the conference hall. Those are the pictures where in is the conference hall. Those are the pictures where i pictures where in is talking about the West Midlands pictures where in is talking about the West Midlands majer, the West Midlands majer, anti street, do to express his view on this ongoing saga about the future of hs2. So that is that camera shot, we are expecting to hear from andy street. The shop all lined up, so as soon as their movement they are, we will carry that light. Now to new york where former us President Donald Trump is again sitting in an American Court room hearing further claims against him. This time, it is a civilfraud trial. Hes accused of inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure better loan and insurance terms. Before entering court, mr trump berated the us Justice System and the new York Attorney general who is bringing the case. He described Letitia James as racist and a horrow show, and he dismissed the case as a sham and a scam. He also denied the claims against him. We have a great company. I built a great we have a great company. I built a great companv its got tremendous value. Its got some of the greatest real estate assets in the world. And now i have to goi before a rogue judge, as a continuation of russia, russia, russia, as a continuation of the greatest witch hunt. Of all time, and i dont think the people of this country are going to stand for it. I if i werent leading in all the polls, or if i werent running, i wouldnt have any of these cases, i wouldnt be seeing you this morning. | but ill be seeing a lot of you, | because this is a horrible thing thats happening to our county and weve got to get it straightened away. So well go in and see our rogue. Judge and well listen to this man, and i think most people get it. People are getting it. I can tell you, the voters are getting it, because every time they give me a fake indictment, i i go up in the polls and thats. Never happened before. But this is a disgrace. The new York Attorney general Letitia James also spoke as she arrived at court. Donald trump and the other defendants have committed persistent and repeated fraud. Last week, we proved that in our motion for summaryjudgment. Today, we will prove our other claims. My message is simple. No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you think you may have, no one is above the law. And it is my responsibility and my duty and myjob to enforce it. The law is both powerful and fragile. And today, in court, we will prove our case. I thank you all for being here and, again, justice will prevail. Thank you. Live now to new york and our correspondent, nada tawfik. Lets start by talking about what actually happened in the courtroom itself. We actually happened in the courtroom itself. ~. ,. ,. , itself. We have had Opening Statements itself. We have had Opening Statements now itself. We have had Opening Statements now from itself. We have had Opening Statements now from both | itself. We have had Opening Statements now from both sides. In fact, Donald Trumps attorney is speaking right now. But letsjust look back at what we heard from the Attorney General� s team. Kevin wallace says that the rest of the claims in this case have to look at intent. If they can prove that this was all part of a conspiracy because, remember, the heart of this case was decided that donald trump did commit fraud in those financial statements. But they are now going to look to things like michael cohen, Donald Trumps former lawyer and fixer. They played a video of him in court in which he talked about how donald trump wanted to be on the forbes billionaires list and that theirjob, him and the cfo, theirjob was to reverse engineer theirjob was to reverse engineer the value of Donald Trumps assets to arrive at the figure that donald trump wanted. So they are saying that this just proves that this is all part of a Conspiracy To Defraud donald trump while he was watching that video of michael cohen, was shaking his head. And then we heard from Donald Trumps lawyer, he says that it from Donald Trumps lawyer, he says thatitis from Donald Trumps lawyer, he says that it is a commonplace in the Real Estate Market that buyers and sellers have different evaluations. He says that the banks themselves need their own Due Diligence and that Deutsche Bank had their own evaluations. So here he is trying to prove that there were no damages, that donald trump want to have to pay any kind of penalties in this case. So those are kind of the two main arguments, but it has been quite a competitive morning as we heard between the Attorney General and Donald Trumps differing statements. Ih and Donald Trumps differing statements. And Donald Trumps differing statements. ,. ,. , statements. In terms of how this works, it is statements. In terms of how this works, it is not statements. In terms of how this works, it is not going statements. In terms of how this works, it is not going to statements. In terms of how this works, it is not going to be statements. In terms of how this works, it is not going to be a statements. In terms of how thisj works, it is not going to be a jury trial. Its going to be heard by a judge who donald trump insulted last week and repeated that again today. We have seen donald trump making his comments to supporters that his real estate and prayer is now at stake and nojury has heard this estate and prayer is now at stake and no jury has heard this case. But it is important to note that donald trump waived his right to a jury trial. Its not uncommon for a bench trial. Its not uncommon for a bench trial in these types of complex financial trials. This will take several weeks. Financial trials. This will take several weeks. Financial trials. This will take severalweeks. , several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so brieflv several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so briefly. We several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so briefly. We will several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so briefly. We will head several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so briefly. We will head back several weeks. Apologies to cut you off so briefly. We will head back to l off so briefly. We will head back to manchester, that comment we were expecting from andy street, the West Midlands majer, he hasjust started. We all know that costs are escalating well beyond the Budget Andindeed escalating well beyond the budget and indeed he is right to try to get and indeed he is right to try to get a grip and indeed he is right to try to get a grip of and indeed he is right to try to get a grip of the situation, i fully accept a grip of the situation, i fully accept that. But ripping this situation means re examining it. It does situation means re examining it. It does not situation means re examining it. It does not mean giving up, admitting defeat, does not mean giving up, admitting defeat, you could say or even, you could defeat, you could say or even, you could say, defeat, you could say or even, you could say, cancelling the future. My arguments could say, cancelling the future. My arguments have not changed around hst. Arguments have not changed around hst~ they arguments have not changed around hst. They are all about Connectivity Come hst. They are all about Connectivity Come to hst. They are all about Connectivity Come to capacity on the West Coast Main Line come to capacity on the West Coast Main Line and, of course, it remains ust main line and, of course, it remains just as main line and, of course, it remains just as right main line and, of course, it remains just as right now as it was ten years just as right now as it was ten years ago just as right now as it was ten years ago to get a high speed rail link att years ago to get a high speed rail link all the years ago to get a high speed rail link all the way from london to manchester. But it has become about a lot more manchester. But it has become about a lot more thanjust a railway. This has become a lot more thanjust a railway. This has become a debate about brittons ability has become a debate about brittons ability to has become a debate about brittons ability to do the tough stuff successfully as previous generations of britain successfully as previous generations of britain certainly dead. And of course, of britain certainly dead. And of course, now it has become a debate about course, now it has become a debate about brittons credibility as a place about brittons credibility as a place to about brittons credibility as a place to invest. That is now what is at stake place to invest. That is now what is at stake so place to invest. That is now what is at stake. So my messages we must not give up, at stake. So my messages we must not give up, we at stake. So my messages we must not give up, we must stay the course. But we give up, we must stay the course. But we have give up, we must stay the course. But we have to rethink radically how we are but we have to rethink radically how we are going about this. In particular, we have to think how we are properly particular, we have to think how we are properly engaging the private sector~ are properly engaging the private sector. Now, the government will tell you. Sector. Now, the government will tell you, the private sector has been tell you, the private sector has been fully tell you, the private sector has been fully engaged. We had all their offers been fully engaged. We had all their offers. That is not correct. This has been offers. That is not correct. This has been run as a Status Project by a state has been run as a Status Project by a state organisation. So over the last few a state organisation. So over the last few days, what i have been doing last few days, what i have been doing is last few days, what i have been doing is spending my time with the leaders. Doing is spending my time with the leaders, the Chief Executives of Global Leaders, the Chief Executives of Global Private companies from engineers, designers, banks, investors. Engineers, designers, banks, investors, all sorts to say, is there investors, all sorts to say, is there a investors, all sorts to say, is there a different way of doing this . And i there a different way of doing this . And i promise you there are many of them and i promise you there are many of them who and i promise you there are many of them who are willing to come forward and offer them who are willing to come forward and offer to them who are willing to come forward and offer to help the government find a and offer to help the government find a new and offer to help the government find a new innovative way of doing this, find a new innovative way of doing this, to find a new innovative way of doing this, to reduce costs, we know weve ot this, to reduce costs, we know weve got to this, to reduce costs, we know weve got to do this, to reduce costs, we know weve got to do this this, to reduce costs, we know weve got to do this and possibly even to take some got to do this and possibly even to take some of it off the public balance take some of it off the public balance sheet. So, in conclusion, i suggest balance sheet. So, in conclusion, i suggest to balance sheet. So, in conclusion, i suggest to the Prime Minister tonight, suggest to the Prime Minister tonight, as he considers all these rumours. Tonight, as he considers all these rumours. Is tonight, as he considers all these rumours, is that there is a choice in front rumours, is that there is a choice in front of rumours, is that there is a choice in front of him. The choice is very stark~ in front of him. The choice is very stark~ either in front of him. The choice is very stark. Eitheras in front of him. The choice is very stark. Either as the rumours say, going stark. Either as the rumours say, going on. Stark. Either as the rumours say, going on, cancelled to manchester, but you going on, cancelled to manchester, but you will be turning your back on an opportunity to level up, a once in a generation opportunity. You will indeed be damaging our International Reputation as a place to invest International Reputation as a place to invest. Or the alternative is to book to invest. Or the alternative is to book with to invest. Or the alternative is to book with us, engage with us, fully embrace book with us, engage with us, fully embrace the private sector, here out what they embrace the private sector, here out what they could do to find a way that we what they could do to find a way that we can still bailed this national that we can still bailed this national piece of infrastructure in a way national piece of infrastructure in a way in national piece of infrastructure in a way in which we can afford and at a way in which we can afford and at a cost a way in which we can afford and at a cost which a way in which we can afford and at a cost which we are all comfortable with a cost which we are all comfortable with. ,. , a cost which we are all comfortable with. , i. , a cost which we are all comfortable with. , , with. Have you considered resigning over this . The with. Have you considered resigning over this . The issue with. Have you considered resigning over this . The issue is with. Have you considered resigning over this . The issue is we with. Have you considered resigning over this . The issue is we are over this . The issue is we are workin over this . The issue is we are working hard over this . The issue is we are working hard on over this . The issue is we are working hard on finding over this . The issue is we are working hard on finding the i over this . The issue is we are working hard on finding the solution for the working hard on finding the solution for the Prime Minister. And today, i am making for the Prime Minister. And today, i am making this offer with lots of business am making this offer with lots of business behind us in order to get the right business behind us in order to get the right outcome. The right outcome. Fascinating listenin the right outcome. Fascinating listening to the right outcome. Fascinating listening to the the right outcome. Fascinating listening to the conservative i the right outcome. Fascinating. Listening to the conservative West Midlands majer, andy street, talking about the choice that the Prime Minister has. He said towards the end it is a choice between cancelling and turning your back on levelling up and Damaging International reputation. He talked about Global Leaders about how this could be done and he accepted that the government needed to get a grip of spiralling costs. Very interesting interjection there. More on that in our next half hour here on that in our next half hour here on the programme. We have news of a medical breakthrough that could save millions of lives Around The World. The World Health Organization revealed a new Malaria Vaccine has been found to be 75 effective in phase three trials. Those trials took place in four african countries and involved 4,800 children. The results mean it is the most effective jab developed against the disease so far. Its worth remembering just what a deadly killer malaria is. The most recent figures from the who show there were 619,0900 Global Malaria Deaths in 2021. That year, there were 2a7 million new cases of malaria. 95 of all Malaria Cases are in whos african region. Children underfive are the most Vulnerable Group affected by malaria in 2021, they accounted for nearly 80 of all Malaria Deaths in the african region. I spoke to professor adrian hill, the key figure behind the vaccine. Hes founder of the Jenner Institute at oxford unviersity, which is now one of the largest academic vaccine centres in the world. Despite Spending Money on bed next, drugs, insecticides, spraying, selling, a traditional tools are not winning. We need something new. And now we have something new. So this really could be fantastic because the Clinical Trial results show round about 75 succeed. Efficacy. If you do the calculations, you might be able to save the lives of Hundreds Of Thousands of children, provided you can roll out this vaccine where it is needed most. And a really good news is children and those very poor areas of africa today receive up to ten vaccines. This is the most important one they will receive if we can get this out there soon. Live to geneva to speak to two key people at the World Health Organization dr madani daniel gamejay, the director of the global malaria programme. And dr mary hamel, Senior Technical Officer and team lead for Malaria Vaccines. Thanks for being with us on the bbc. You take this first. Your reaction to todays development. Thank you so much. I think today is a great day for the science, for parents, especially for mothers, for stakeholders, for the entire community where malaria is endemic where we do reports at least minutes, you do have a child dying from malaria. Having these tools out of our toolkit box, it is a great day because you used together with other distinct tools, it will make an impact on that will make a difference. Today, we are reporting several deaths due to malaria. So far, we have the progress as told, and we need to change the way of fighting malaria by including this new malaria tool. New malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment new malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment of new malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment of where new malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment of where we new malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment of where we go i new malaria tool. Doctor, your. Assessment of where we go now. New malaria tool. Doctor, your assessment of where we go now. I agree that this is a major advancement for child health and for malaria advancement for child health and for malaria as advancement for child health and for malaria as professional or hill said. Malaria as professional or hill said, there are millions of cases each said, there are millions of cases each year said, there are millions of cases each year and nearly half a million children each year and nearly half a million children dying each year. We do have a first children dying each year. We do have a first Malaria Vaccine and it was ruled a first Malaria Vaccine and it was ruled out a first Malaria Vaccine and it was ruled out in a first Malaria Vaccine and it was ruled out in pilots in 2019, and that ruled out in pilots in 2019, and that vaccine had similar efficacy to what that vaccine had similar efficacy to what we that vaccine had similar efficacy to what we are seeing with the second vaccine what we are seeing with the second vaccine and what we are seeing with the second vaccine and what we saw but that first vaccine is considerable impact, first vaccine is considerable impact, real reduction in severe malaria impact, real reduction in severe malaria and child thats. We think this Vaccine Malaria and child thats. We think this vaccine well as well give this sort of this vaccine well as well give this sort of important impact. And where we go sort of important impact. And where we go next. Sort of important impact. And where we go next, there has been incredible demand for this vaccine, demand incredible demand for this vaccine, demand we incredible demand for this vaccine, demand we havent seen for other vaccines demand we havent seen for other vaccines. Yet, there wasnt enough vaccine vaccines. Yet, there wasnt enough vaccine because the first vaccine had very vaccine because the first vaccine had very limited doses. The premise of this had very limited doses. The premise of this second vaccine is that the manufacturer has agreed to make a couple manufacturer has agreed to make a couple hundred million doses of this vaccine, couple hundred million doses of this vaccine, 200 million, which is sufficient vaccine, 200 million, which is sufficient so that children living at risk sufficient so that children living at risk Around The World can have access, at risk Around The World can have access, and at risk Around The World can have access, and that is really the important story today. It is access, and that is really the important story today. It is such a Development Important story today. It is such a development. We important story today. It is such a development. We are important story today. It is such a development. We are about i important story today. It is such a development. We are about to i important story today. It is such a j development. We are about to his hourly viewers Around The World, but we will continue this conversation for viewers here in the uk. This is such a development, and, of course, now the focus is about to the production of this vaccine and the distribution. And we will continue to talk about that in a moment or two. A really significant day and the head of the who talking about this being a day that he dreamed of, so a really Significant Development as you watch bbc news. Lets continue with this conversation. Apologies to slightly interrupt the two of you, but lets talk about some of the key challenges. Doctor handel, what are the big hurdles now that you have to try to navigate . Well, The Next Step for the Malaria Vaccine now that it has been recommended by who is that it goes through an ongoing Prequalification Process that assures the vaccine is safe and high quality, and we expect that to wrap up very soon. Then the Vaccine Alliance has already said that the vaccine will be supported through their processes, so that countries that most need the vaccine, lower and middle income countries, will have access to it. And these are The Next Steps for the vaccine going forward. Vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any sort vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any sort of vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any sort of figure vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any sort of figure you i vaccine going forward. Doctor, how is there any sort of figure you have | is there any sort of figure you have in mind overthe is there any sort of figure you have in mind over the next few years in terms of reducing the number of deaths from malaria . What do you hope for here . In deaths from malaria . What do you hope for here . Hope for here . In fact, since 2015, number states hope for here . In fact, since 2015, number states agreed hope for here . In fact, since 2015, number states agreed to hope for here . In fact, since 2015, number states agreed to reduce i number states agreed to reduce malaria number states agreed to reduce malaria up to 90 of its. By 2030. By malaria up to 90 of its. By 2030. By 2025, malaria up to 90 of its. By 2030. By 2025, the malaria up to 90 of its. By 2030. By 2025, the burden was supposed to be reduced by 2025, the burden was supposed to be reduced by 75 . Unfortunately, as of now. Be reduced by 75 . Unfortunately, as of now. We be reduced by 75 . Unfortunately, as of now, we are not on track regarding of now, we are not on track regarding the Malaria Mobility Reduction and malaria Mortality Reductioh reduction and malaria mortality reduction. This means we are extremely reduction. This means we are extremely glad that combining these tools that extremely glad that combining these tools that we do have currently, we believe tools that we do have currently, we believe we tools that we do have currently, we believe we will try to bring back countries believe we will try to bring back countries regarding where we have agreed countries regarding where we have agreed almost 15 years ago. And how sirnificant agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is the agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is the hook agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is the hook up agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is the hook up with agreed almost 15 years ago. And how significant is the hook up with the i significant is the hook up with the Serum Institute . We talk to them a little earlier and already, the next part of what we focus upon, ie production, that is in hand, isnt it . , � ,. , it . Thats right. The institute has made a commitment, it . Thats right. The institute has made a commitment, a it . Thats right. The institute has made a commitment, a public i made a commitment, a public commitment to have the vaccine ready to go. At the time of the prequalification that i spoke of earlier. And we anticipate that as countries are ready to roll at the vaccine, there will be sufficient supply for them to do so. And this is very important. Already 18 countries have been approved to have support to roll out the vaccine. And they are just waiting for the vaccine. The first vaccine was very limited, as i said, in doses, and so there are countries that will begin in early 2024 to roll out that vaccine, but having the two together is really going to make a huge difference. Is really going to make a huge difference is really going to make a huge difference. , difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine that difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine that in difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine that in the difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine that in the west, i difference. Now, we saw with the Coven Vaccine that in the west, it| Coven Vaccine that in the west, it was he patiently rolled out. There were problems, werent there, on the african continent. How do we avoid a repetition of that . I african continent. How do we avoid a repetition of that . Repetition of that . I think its Uuite Repetition of that . I think its quite different. Repetition of that . I think its quite different. The repetition of that . I think its quite different. The risk i repetition of that . I think its i quite different. The Risk Perception for malaria quite different. The Risk Perception for malaria is quite huge in africa. Families. For malaria is quite huge in africa. Families, they know what is malaria, they know families, they know what is malaria, they know how malaria kills their kids they know how malaria kills their kids and they know how malaria kills their kids. And from the recent experience with our kids. And from the recent experience with our tss, the demand was extremely high. Sol with our tss, the demand was extremely high. So i believe that even extremely high. So i believe that even with extremely high. So i believe that even with our 21 Malaria Vaccine, introduction even with our 21 Malaria Vaccine, introduction of the vaccine will be quite introduction of the vaccine will be quite easy introduction of the vaccine will be quite easy and we are sure about the demand quite easy and we are sure about the demand which will be expressed by countries demand which will be expressed by countries. We demand which will be expressed by countries. ~. ,. ,. , countries. We have to leave it there. Countries. We have to leave it there itut countries. We have to leave it there. But it countries. We have to leave it there. But it is countries. We have to leave it there. But it is such countries. We have to leave it there. But it is such a countries. We have to leave it i there. But it is such a significant day to talk to you both and we are really grateful for your time for joining us, taking us through your reaction to what we have had an ounce tangent is talking through some of the practicalities of what lies ahead. Thank you so much, both of you, for your time here on bbc news. Lets turn our main headlines this hour. The uks hs2 high speed rail link overshadows the conservative party conference. Number ten denies a final decision has been made. A sham horrow show donald trump attacks the start of his civil trial in new york for financial fraud but prosecutors say theyll prove he cheated the system to enrich himself. And a Breakthrough Malaria Vaccine is announced by the world health organisation. It could save thousands of lives. Moore from manchester and the conference soon. But over to chat on pathak with the sports news. Some sad news to start with this afternoon Manchester City have confirmed their former player and chairman francis lee has died at the age of 79. He scored 148 goals in 330 appearances during an eight year spell at city, helping them win multiple honours, including the Old First Division title in 1968. He also played for bolton and derby and earned 27 caps for england, scoring ten goals. He returned to Manchester City in 1994, spending four years as chairman. Lee had been living with cancer for sometime