Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

There have also been strikes on the russian side of the border in belgorod on sunday. The Russian Military claimed a ukrainian airstrike destroyed a section of a 10 storey apartment block. With the latest on the conflict, our defence Correspondentjonathan Beale reports from vovchansk in Kharkiv Under Russian attack. The road to russia, just a few miles from the border. And proof that the russians are back in the Kharkiv Region again. The town of vovchansk was liberated in a surprise ukrainian offensive less than two years ago. Now its at risk of falling back into russian hands. Alexi, a local policeman, is once again telling the population to leave. He says its better than dying. The shelling is constant and chaotic. And its all over the town. We quickly move on at the sound of a russian drone. This is all thats left of sergeis home. The familiar russian tactic of reducing towns to rubble. But sergei says he cant leave. He needs to look after his goats now his only worldly possessions. You can still hear the artillery battle going on. It was more intense yesterday. This devastation one mans house was created by a russian glide bomb. Jet roars nearby and thats the sound of a jet somewhere. Explosions ukraines outgunned and outnumbered, and russias using aerial glide bombs to devastating effect. Alexi simply says, look at whats happening. For some, its made the decision to flee unavoidable, though its still heartbreaking for olexander. This was the home he grew up in. He doesnt know if hell ever return. Ukrainian officials insist they were ready. Not everyone agrees. This Drone Footage appears to show Russian Troops crossing the border unopposed. Ive been in front line. For something youve already fought for before in 2022. Same again. Youre angry . Very angry. Denys, a ukrainian reconnaissance commander, helped push back the russians in 2022. Now hes having to fight for the same territory again. Translation there was no first line of defence. We saw it. The russiansjust walked in. Where were the minefields . They just walked in. Ukraine says its repelling this attack with reinforcements, but russias been probing the entire 800 mile front, and in kharkiv, its exposed the weakness. Jonathan beale, bbc news, vovchansk. In russia, Vladimir Putin has removed his Defence Secretary Sergei Shoigu from his post, appointing him head of the countrys Security Council instead. Mr shoigu has been a long standing ally of the kremlin leader and has served as Defence Minister since 2012, Playing A Key role in russias invasion of ukraine. His replacement will be andrey belousov, an economist and the deputy Prime Minister. Our russia editor, steve rosenberg, explains why reshuffles are unusual for the kremlin. Whoever the russian government ministers are, whoever� s sitting around that cabinet table, there is one man and one man alone in russia who calls the shots, and that is Vladimir Putin. Hes the man with all the power. Having said that, a Government Reshuffle in russia is interesting, particularly when key ministers like the Defence Minister is being changed. They dont happen too often. The foreign minister, hes been in his post for 20 years. Mr shoigu, he has been Defence Minister for 12 years. He was appointed by Vladimir Putin in 2012, i think. The two men were said to be pretty close for a long time. They even went on holiday a few times to siberia together. Last week, we were on red square watching the Victory Day Parade and Defence Minister shoigu was there inspecting the Russian Troops. But there had been rumours for some time that he could be moved, he could lose hisjob, and it seems thats whats happening. He still has a job to go to. Hes being moved to the russian Security Council as the head of the Security Council. But i think thats a demotion compared to being Defence Minister. Whos coming in, whos replacing him . Someone called andrey belousov, whos an economist, and i think that reflects the fact that over the last couple of years, President Putin has put the russian economy on a war footing and wants an economist to run things because its vital, as far as hes concerned, that the Defence Industry has enough money to fund this war. For more on the developments, i spoke to melinda haring, non resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils eurasia center. I want to talk about those developments in russia. Firstly, i want to talk about the situation on the ground. We heard from one troop speaking to our correspondent who said there was no first line of defence, the russians walked in. Do you think they were unprepared for what they faced . Great to be back with you. No, i think there has been expectation for weeks and weeks that the russians were going to try and come back to Kharkiv 0blast. The reporting is a little indefinite at this point but it seems the russian side has taken 7 9 ukrainian villages. I would keep my eye on the city of kharkiv. The ukrainians are ready there. They built an elaborate system of fortifications that includes tripwire, razor wire, dragons teeth. Anything you could think of. Ukrainians are prepared there. It is possible the ukrainians will lose quite a bit of Kharkiv 0blast but most military analysts think that the city itself of kharkiv, ukrain� e second largest, is sound and will remain on ukraines side for now. The distinction between the Kharkiv 0blast the region and second largest city of kharkiv. We know of course that the ukrainians have faced this before. Do you think there is potential russia is eyeing moving on the second largest city in ukraine . Zelensky is saying he doesnt think the russians are playing for kharkiv. He thinks this is a Distraction Technique and i think that is probably right. Ukrainians have been waiting for all of the us kit locked up by the congressional decision and we are still waiting for the kit to arrive. The ukrainians are at a vulnerable moment. The russians have been probing for weaknesses and they see a weakness in kharkiv and there was heavy intense fighting in the south in donbas 0blast, so this is likely, the probing we see in Kharkiv 0blast is likely to make ukrainian spread their forces even thinner so that they will be even more vulnerable in the south. Also to signal to the ukrainian people how vulnerable they are now. I think it is meant to stretch out the ukrainian side and its also psychological pressure at this very vulnerable moment. I want your assessment of the replacement of the Russian Defence minister Sergei Shoigu, it is rare for the kremlin to do this kind of shakeup. From the ukrainian side, how do you think they will be reading his replacement . I think the most interesting thing i have seen out of this shakeup is the kremlin spokesman� s comment. He said innovation is the key to victory. What that means is Sergei Shoigu had been the Defence Secretary in russia for 12 years, it means game on, moscows saying we are going to be as innovative and creative as you guys are in kyiv and shoigu had been there a long time and he is not thinking creatively anymore. They brought in a guy that has no Military Experience but he is an economist and has putins trust. They are also worried about Defence Spending and there was a big Corruption Scandal on shoigus watch. That is how i read the tea leaves, this is why shoigu has been replaced now. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at another story making the headlines. Top boy, happy valley and the Sixth Commandment were the big winners at sundays Bafta Television awards. The most prestigious award the bafta fellowship went to baroness floella benjamin. Our culture reporter, noor nanji, was at the royal Festival Hall in london and has the highlights. Jasminejobson was first up, winning best supporting actress for her role in top boy. She was really emotional when she accepted it, in tears, thanking her co stars. Matthew mcfadden won best supporting actor for his role as tom in succession. He wasnt actually there himself to accept the award but actress Helena Bonham carter accepted on his behalf. There were also wins for rob beckett and romesh ranganathan, the hosts of the event, which is quite rare, you normally dont see the hosts accept an award themselves. Strictly come dancing won the best Entertainment Prize in its 20th year on the air and co host tess daly celebrated the triumph, saying it was the best birthday present. Youre live with bbc news. Israel says it has opened a new humanitarian crossing into Northern Gaza in Co Ordination with the us government. The opening is called the western erez. Its exact location has not yet been confirmed and its not yet known whether it will make a difference to aid reaching those most in need. Meanwhile, more palestianians have been told to leave the Southern City of rafah towards a coastal area around al mawasi, which israel calls an expanded humanitarian zone. The un says there is no sanitation or clean Running Water in the area. Since the war broke out, gazas Hamas Run Health Ministry says that at least 35,000 palestinians have been killed. The us secretary of state, antony blinken, has again warned against a full scale israeli assault on rafah. It comes as the us pauses a shipment of bombs to israel. Hes been speaking to our partners at cbs news. If israel launches this Major Military operation into rafah, then there are certain systems that were not going to be supporting and supplying for that operation. But, at present, the only thing that weve delayed and are holding back are these high payload bombs, because were in an ongoing conversation with israel, given the impact that those weapons can have when theyre used in densely populated areas. The uks foreign secretary, lord cameron, has urged israel to allow more humanitarian aid into gaza. He said he would not support a major Ground Offensive in the city of rafah, but stressed that a uk Ban On Selling Arms To Israel would only strengthen hamas. Israel has not had a clean bill of health. 0n humanitarian aid, there have been realfailings and they need to do better. But on the crucial question we have to answer which is, is there a serious risk of exports being used for a serious breach in International Law . Up to now, in the assessments weve done, weve continued with the export licensing, but its a rolling process and it looks at what is happening on the ground. 0ur middle east correspondent, lucy williamson, reports from jerusalem. A country increasingly divided by its war aims, brought togetherfor a day by its war dead. Israels Prime Minister marked the start of the nations annual remembrance day, honouring those who died at the hands of israels enemies, and seven months after the hamas attacks, the soldiers now fighting in gaza, who he said wanted to finish the war. Translation all of them, without exception, even the amputees, told me that the spirit of our people lifts them. Keep going until victory, and we will. Netanyahu has insisted he will keep going in gaza, even as warnings increase over the future cost of war. Americas president has said he will not supply weapons for a major Ground Assault on the town of rafah. He doesnt want to see american weapons used in that kind of operation. Thats not to say that he is going to abandon israel or cut them off from weapons. He was focused on a particular operation that he doesnt believe will succeed in defeating hamas and that will cause grievous harm. Israels army is still fighting hamas across the gaza strip, returning to areas it once labelled clear. And in rafah, once labelled safe, carrying out what it calls a precise operation. Some of the one million palestinians sheltering there have begun moving out from eastern areas as the army edges in, lives shrinking with every move. Zeinab ignored three Evacuation Orders before moving herfamily to the coastal area of deir al balah, the tent that sheltered them for five months in rafah too worn out to mend. Translation my children and i ran under fire. People died in front of us. Shrapnel hit our faces and houses were hit by strikes while we ran. We have no money. 0ur Situation is very hard. I came here and there is no place to stay. Siren wails tonight, a siren marked the start of the remembrance ceremony byjerusalems western wall. Israels Military Chief taking personal responsibility for those killed and kidnapped by hamas. But many here tonight will be thinking of those still fighting in gaza, where palestinians are also counting their dead. Lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. Meanwhile, protests over the war in Gaza Continue at universities Around The World including at irelands oldest university. At Trinity College in dublin, students and University Officials agreed last monday to divest from three israeli companies. It ended a five day encampment that blocked access to the famed medieval book of kells. Its a major Tourist Attraction on campus and a reliable source of income for the university. Trinity originally fined the students about 230,000 for blocking it. However, in a move that nearly all us colleges david wolfe is the Editor In Chief of trinity news, the universitys student newspaper. He told me the protests at trinity didnt cause the same level of upheaval as in the us. They knew what they didnt want, they knew what images they didnt want coming from the campus. There was a commitment very early on the cards, that the police would not be involved, that they were treated as an internal matter. They were already on the back foot in terms of political standing so it was reported on the bbc the previous week the college had levied a £214,000 fine on the student union, seen as a very poor form move and effort to quash student protest. They did not receive a lot of support for that so i think they knew they couldnt come down on this hard and that they would only embolden the support for the students and the students themselves. They were very careful not to do that. They realised that would be more reputationally damaging than it would be effective in quelling the protest. After the scenes that we have seen in the us, for any students or protesters watching whats been happening in the united states, what have they been making of the way that its been handled in this country, would you say . I would say its definitely clear that trinity and trinity students are operating in a very different political context, trinity is able to divest without huge backlash from irish people, from its partners and donors and alumni. That is not necessarily the case in us, so i think there is a context difference there. What i would say is that it was absolutely the kind of outside support that the Trinity Encampment received was crucial in its success that trinity felt that did not have much room or leeway to push back on the demands because there were such overwhelming support. The more support that is shown for these encampment protests, internationally, nationally in their own countries, the more effective they will be in pushing the universities themselves to meet the demands to divest and boycott israel. Its a big Election Year across the globe, and in lithuania, its president ial election is heading to the next stage. The conservative incumbent Gitanas Nauseda won the first round, but has fallen short of an outright majority. He will now face off against Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on may 26. Both candidates have pledged to boost the Baltic States Defence Spending if elected amid Security Concerns over neighbouring russias invasion of ukraine. And in spain, a Separatist Coalition in catalonia has lost its decade long majority after sundays elections for the regional parliament. With most votes counted, the Socialist Party, which governs spain nationally, is emerging as the biggest in the catalan chamber. It would still need to make alliances to govern. The result is a boost for the Embattled Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. 0ur correspondent guy hedgecoe has been following developments from madrid. This was a clear victory for the Socialist Party of spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez which made gains on the last election in catalonia in 2021. However, it is not clear whether the socialist will be able to form a new Catalan Government because of the fragmented nature of the regions politics. The other Major Development with this result was the fact the Pro Independence parties lost their majority in the regional parliament. Something that has not happened for a long time and it will be seen as a major setback for the independence movement. Having said all that, the together for catalonia party, the hardline Pro Independence party, a former catalan president carles puigdemont, who has been in self exile for the last 6. 5 years, did perform relatively well and came in second. Because of the fragmented nature of catalonias politics, there is a possibility instead of the socialists forming a new government, it could be mr puigdemont� s party that could form a new administration but a lot will depend on the conversations that take place over the coming days and weeks between the different parties across the political spectrum. Lets turn to some other Important News Around The World. Georgias police continued to push Demonstration Out against controversial new law over foreign influence. The bill would force organisations and independent media to declare foreign funding that they receive. The government claims its all about transparency. The law, expected to pass in the coming days, could harm georgias attempt to join the eu, which has given it candidate status. A fast growing wildfire in canada has forced thousands to evacuate. The blaze, which began in northeastern British Columbia on friday, has now doubled in size, spreading to over 2,400 hectares. Most of the 3,500 residents in and around fort nelson have been evacuated. And across the border in alberta, residents of Fort Mcmurray were also asked to leave their homes. On sunday, authorities said the fire had subdued but is expected to grow as temperatures rise. Flash flooding across Northern Afghanistan has devastated villages, killing at least 315 people and injuring more than 1,600. The flooding, caused by recent heavy rains, hit five districts in afghanistans Baghlan Province on friday. The taliban run Refugee Ministry said thousands of homes have been damaged and livestock wiped out. The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney has died two months after the operation. The us hospital that carried out the procedure said on sunday there was no indication that his death was a result of the transplant. 62 year old Richard Slayman was suffering from end stage Kidney Disease before undergoing the transplant in late march. The duke and duchess of sussex visited a Secondary School in lagos on the final day of their three day tour of nigeria. The trip marks 10 years of prince harrys Invictus Games for injured military personnel, which nigeria joined for the first time last year. 0ur africa Correspondent Simijolaoso has been following their visit to lagos. Another day, another celebration, this time in lagos. And with young budding basketball stars who share a love for the game like the duke. It brings people together in this community and there are no barriers. The prince joined the children in the drills, much to their delight. I feel so happy. And you were playing on court when prince harry was also on court. What was that like . It was like we were working together and collaborating to make a team. Every time you do Something Like this, youth are inspired. | and when you have an incredible leader like prince harry and meghan, i think we are blessed for a day like this. I their partnership will mean children in the nations capital, abuja, will soon enjoy a fancy new court they are funding. From basketball to polo, sport has been a constant theme during this trip and the couple have been driving home the message about how it has the power to change lives. Arriving at the polo club, thats what they hoped the money raised at this charity game will do. Time to say goodbye to nigeria. He told the crowd theyve had a wonderful time calling lagos a beautiful place. Simijolaoso, lagos. Two professional skydivers from austria successfully completed the worlds first wingsuit flight through the middle of tower bridge in london. Marco furst and Marco Waltenspiel who are part of the Red Bull Skydive Team jumped from a helicopter hovering around 900 metres above the river thames. They then soared through the gap in the centre of the suspension bridge, reaching speeds of nearly 250km h before the height required to open their parachutes so they could land safely. And the most amazing part . The entire flight lasted 45 seconds. Rather me. We handed over to our colleagues in london. Thanks for your company. Hello. There were definitely two sides to sundays weather story. 0n the one hand, it was very warm. In fact, it looks like it was the warmest day of the year so far, temperatures touching 27 celsius to the west of london, but we saw some really intense downpours and thunderstorms breaking up, especially across western and northern parts of the uk, ushering in a change. Low pressure taking charge of our weather through this week, which will bring rain at times, not least across the southwest of england, wales and Northern Ireland through monday. That rain arriving through the morning and then sticking in place right through into the afternoon. Could be enough rain to give some localised flooding and travel disruption, and under the cloud and rain not feeling particularly impressive 15 or 16 degrees, but for a good part of scotland, central and eastern parts of england, we will hold on to some sunshine and some warmth maybe 23 or 24 degrees. In fact, for some north sea coasts, it is likely to be warmer on monday afternoon than it was over the weekend. Now, through monday night, this band of rain will be moving slowly, northwards and eastwards on what will be a very mild, even warm night, with temperatures holding up at between 9 14 degrees. So, we start tuesday with our area of low pressure still in place. This frontal system wraps around the low, continuing to drive some outbreaks of rain. This time, The Rain Bands Sitting across the south east of england, east anglia, parts of the midlands, northern england, still some further rain to come across Northern Ireland, and then that Rain Pulling Northwards across scotland, sunny spells and showers following on behind. Temperatures, broadly, 17, 18 degrees, but still up to 20 in the north of scotland. Those temperatures still a touch above the average for the time of year, just not as warm as it has been over the last few days. Now, this is wednesdays forecast. Still a weakening Weather Front likely to bring rain for a time in northern england. Then its a sunshine and showers day, and temperatures 17 20, maybe 21 degrees. Now, our area of low pressure will still be with us through the second half of the week, but it will tend to loosen its Grip The Centre of the low pulling away southward. So, while there will still be some showers, especially in southern parts, more in the way of dry weather, some spells of sunshine, actually will dry up for some of us, as we head into the weekend, and those temperatures still a touch above normal for the time of year. Voice over this is bbc news. Well have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. Welcome to hardtalk. I am applicable to up on the invasion of ukraines served as a wake up call to those members of nato have long ignored american demands that they spend more on defence. 0r american demands that they spend more on defence. Or did it . Canada may still be snoozing. Still well short of natos defence bending target. Of course canada is a long way of course canada is a long way from here. There are concerns about russian and chinese intentions much closer to home and in arctic north, for example. My guess is canadas Defence Minister, bill blair. Is canada ready to get serious about defending itself