Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20180204

Welcome to bbc news. In a crucial week for talks with the eu over future trade arrangements, the home secretary says the uk will not surrender too quickly in its bid for a bespoke deal. Amber rudd also hit out at the brexiteer conservative mps, saying the cabinet was more united on brexit than they might think. Tomorrow the eus chief negotiator Michel Barnier will be in london for talks later in the week a Cabinet Committee will be seeking to agree on future policy. Our political correspondent, Eleanor Garnier reports. Putting the uk on the world map, the Prime Ministers been preparing for life outside the eu, taking tea in china, and helping to secure billions of pounds of business deals. But reaching agreement on the other side of the world perhaps much easier than solving disagreements in her own cabinet, amid claims of disunity about the type of brexit they want. I have a surprise for the brexiteers, which is the committee that meet in order to help make these decisions and is meeting, as you rightly say, twice this week is more united than they think. We meet in the committee, we meet privately for discussions. I think that we will arrive at something which suits us all. Exactly how we trade with the eu after brexit is the source of division in the tories. Some want complete disentanglement from brussels others hope to stay as close to the eu as possible. The home secretary believes the governments priorities are clear. We want frictionless trade at the border, we want to make sure theres no border on the island of ireland, and we want to make sure that we can do trade deals outside of the European Union. Thats the deal were looking for. But its clear to all in the conservative party how difficult it will be to get everyone on side. There are inherent tensions in dealing with brexit because different people take different views. Its notjust in the conservative party, notjust in the labour party its across the country. It actually needs a bit of a team effort here, thats what im saying loud and clear. So far, the Prime Minister has managed to prevent that decades old split in the conservative party over europe from spilling out into something much more serious, something that could lead to the collapse of her government. But this week, there are crucial cabinet meetings here, with pressure to finally pin down an agreed position on our future relationship with the eu. But its notjust a battle at home winning in brussels is key, too. And with more negotiations with the eu this week, the next few days could be pivotal for the Prime Minister and the country. Two people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a rail crash in the us state of South Carolina. An amtrak passenger train travelling between new york and miami collided with a freight service. South carolinas governor said it appeared that the passenger train had been on the wrong track, at the time of the crash. 0ur correspondent david willis gave us more details about those who died and said the crash could prompt a renewed discussion about rail safety. The two people who died in the collision today were both employees. A 54 year old engineer and a 32 year old conductor. This is the third fatal collision on the us Railway System in as many months. That has prompted the governor of South Carolina, henry mcmaster, to call for a renewed discussion about rail safety in this country. Congress has not actually passed a long term funding measure for the amtrak Railway System for the last ten years. It has relied on short term Ongoing Systems with existing funding levels being maintained. President trump, of course, has mooted plans for a big infrastructure programme, 1 trillion, it is unclear how much of that, if any, would go towards enhancing the nations Railway System. We also assume from this country that many people in the us troubled by a. How widely used is the Us Rail Network . It is quite well used, particularly in particular parts of the country, such as the east and west coast. 30 Million People a year, more than that in fact, travel by train. Amtrak says that based on that its Safety Record is pretty good. I must say, the National Transportation safety boa rd, say, the National Transportation safety board, the federal authority that looks into accidents of the kind that happened in South Carolina today, found a deficient culture, as it put it, when it looked into a recent the railmen back at the end of last year. There is concern about safety levels, given, as i say, this being the third fatal incident of its kind in as many months. South africas president jacob zuma has reportedly refused to step down during talks with senior figures from his anc party. Many officials would like to replace him after allegations of corruption and to avoid a long power struggle before elections take place next year. 0ur Southern Africa correspondent Andrew Harding reports. Hes swamped by scandal. South africas president , jacob zuma, has already been found guilty of breaking his oath of office when he upgraded his private home lavishly at the taxpayers expense. More recently, his friendship with the controversial business family, the guptas, has fuelled allegations of massive corruption state capture, they call it here. During the zuma presidency, south africa has foundered. The economy is struggling and unemployment is soaring, amid a sense that senior officials could get away with anything. But in december, zuma and his allies lost control of the governing anc. The new man, cyril ramaphosa, promising to end impunity. Everyone agrees that our state was captured by people who purported to be close to the president , who have been doing really bad things and getting into all and many state institutions. And suddenly, there is real change in the air here. Prosecutors seizing this state farm in connection with alleged fraud by the gupta family and government officials. And the courts pursuing corruption charges against president zuma himself. I think these are real historic moments in South African politics. In all likelihood, we are going to see arrests and big people being caught up in this. Because a wheel is turning, momentum is developing. And i dont think there is to be any turning back. For now, zuma is clinging to hisjob, but his allies are deserting him and tonight, Party Leaders are meeting him to discuss his removal. In places like zimbabwe and kenya we have seen this sort of situation turn ugly and dangerous. But south africa is still a robust democracy. So, whether he is pushed or hejumps, president zuma will soon be out of power, and, most likely, in court on corruption charges. It is a moment of drama and optimism for a country poised to exit the troubled zuma era. Andrew harding, bbc news, johannesburg. German chancellor Angela Merkels conservatives will continue negotiations on forming a government with the social democrats tomorrow after they failed to meet the deadline they set themselves today. A senior spd member said the two sides still have some differences. Four months after its general election germany still has a caretaker government and the country remains in political limbo. 0ur correspondent Damien Mcguiness said the Political Uncertainty could have wider consequences for the eu. She has already tried once to form government with the liberals and the green party. Those talks collapsed in november. The potential government now with the centre left is there only chance. If those talks fail, her credibility will be undermined. The most likely outcome than will be fresh elections, a long period of instability here in germany and, potentially, no new government until autumn and no guarantee after that that we would not be in the exact same position we are now where the potential chancellor find it hard to create a coalition. It must be said there is a caretaker government. There is no sense of crisis era and the economy is doing well. So in the short term, things ticking along nicely and the economy is booming. What it does mean is that there is no ability for the temporary to make long term decisions on reform, and particularly with europe. This is a problem for the whole of the eu. President micron has been waiting for a long time to push through an ambition period of reform. If the government is not in place, france cannot do that, germany can not support that and it could have an impact on brexit because of this united europe would be less able to strike a good deal britain on brexit. In greece, more than 140,000 people havejoined a march in a protest about a long running dispute over the name macedonia. Its the official name of a neighbouring country, but the people on the streets of athens today believe it implies a territorial claim on greeces northern macedonia region. The macedonian government says its country has been known by this name for a long time. Greece is blocking macedonias ambition to join the European Union and nato until the issue is resolved. Mps have warned that cuts to the Royal Marines would significantly weaken britains defences. The government, which is reviewing defence spending, is said to be considering axing 2,000 marines and the royal navys two Amphibious Assault ships. Daniela relph reports. It is a warning to government over the future of the Royal Marines. They are among britains elite fighting forces and provide up to half the personnel for the uks special forces. The Defence Select Committee report says that further cuts to the marines would damage their ability to be a High Readiness unit. And warns plans to end the use of hms albion and hms bulwark ships from which beach assaults are made would be militarily illiterate at this time. The committee praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of a defence review. He is under pressure to make cuts against the strong funding cases being made by other government departments, but also faces arguments from military chiefs that defence must be a priority. Since 2010, our military has been cut by a third in its capability. If this new round of cuts come, it will have been cut by half. Can you imagine if we had half the number of hospitals . Spending on defence has fluctuated over decades. Rising when British Forces are involved in a live conflict, but since 2010, the figures show a consistent decrease, reinforced by austerity measures. Defence is now more complex and sophisticated than ever before. The head of the army recently warned of russias increasingly powerful and aggressive military. A capability he said the uk would struggle to match. But as well as traditional battles, there is now a technological fight that also needs money and resources. I think in the Cabinet Office there is a suspicion that defence hasnt delivered the savings they had promised to in 2015, and they have to put defence up against the wall now to make them deliver the savings that were promised. The ministry of defence say the Royal Marines play a vital role in protecting the uk, but its budget is stretched and in the face of powerful arguments being made by other government departments, defence is trying to ensure its case for increased funding is heard. Daniela relph, bbc news, at the mod. An elderly man has died after a fire at a care home at stevenage in hertfordshire, believed to have been caused by an oxygen cylinder explosion. Six other residents were also taken to hospital after the incident at Woodlands View care home one is said to be in a critical condition. Hertfordshire county council says a full investigation will be carried out. 0ur correspondent Richard Smith is at the scene. Investigators are trying to piece together why there was an explosion and fire at this care home. The localfire brigade is being supported by police and the london fire brigade in that work. Police cordon is around the building and people arriving today have been met by police. Fire crews were called to reports of an explosion at about half past four in the afternoon yesterday, 41 people were in the affected pa rt of yesterday, 41 people were in the affected part of the building. Most we re affected part of the building. Most were able to get out. Some could not. The fire service rescued five people and led ten others to safety. Seven people were taken to hospital, one of them, a man in his 80s has since died. Another person is said to be ina since died. Another person is said to be in a critical condition. The fire service said this afternoon but it appears fire service said this afternoon but itappears an fire service said this afternoon but it appears an oxygen cylinder was in the room where the fire started and it may have played a part in the fire. Today, family and friends have been coming to the home, obviously concerned, to ensure that their loved ones are safe. 0ne visitor, a 91 year old, asked how this could happen . Another woman, visiting her mother, described being here at the time of her mother, seeing a lot of lives and her family and children being distressed and the situation appearing to be under control. The owners of the home has said that the safety of residents is their number one concern. They expressed sympathy with the family of the man who died. They say their immediate priority remains to provide support to everybody connected with the home and affected by yesterdays events. The headlines on bbc news the cabinet is more united than the brexiteers think, says amber rudd, ahead of a crucial few days for the negotiations. Two people have been killed and more than 100 injured, after two trains collided with each other in the united states. South africas president , jacob zuma, is reported to be Standing Firm as the leader of the anc during talks with top party officials. Sport now and time for a full round up from the bbc sport centre. Hello. Thank you. Liverpool managerjurgen klopp admits he would get the biggest fine in World Football if he gave his honest opinion on the ref, after two penalties were awarded against his side. Harry kanes 100th premier league goal earned tottenham a thrilling 2 2 draw. The game also had a sensational strike from victor wa nyama and a dazzling double from mo salah. But klopp insists refereejon moss should have flagged kane offside for a penalty which he eventually missed. And he also thought Virgil Van Dijks challenge on erik lamela was not worthy of punishment for the second, which kane scored. In todays other premier league match it was honours even as Crystal Palace came from behind to draw one all with newcastle, Luka Milivojevic cancelled out mohamed diames earlier goal. The point for palace moves them up to 14th while newcastle are in 16th. Leeds have sacked their manager thomas christiansen, after only eight months in charge at elland road. The Yorkshire Club are tenth in the championship having failed to win since boxing day. Theyll now be looking for their seventh manager since 2014. Englands quest for an unprecedented hat trick of six nations titles was launched with a 46 15 victory over italy. Anthony watson and sam simmonds scored two tries each as eddiejoness men turned on the flair in the second half in rome. Patrick gearey reports. The faces, the voices change, the results dont. When at home or in rome england have always beating italy. Their philosophy divans about this team forget that and the fact that they have only lost once in three years in the six nations your mind must be fully on the next pass, the first try, Anthony Watson scored. Within its world cup 18 months away england have been trying to establish a street. The ruthless instinct of the Hunter Watson was a regon five minutes later. Italy wont simply wounded prey, even under constant pressure they found an escape. A getaway runner. England stayed further down the road. 0wen farrell score before the break, then a First International try for sam simmons, any tried big in the game because of injury. Wales, who played in glen esk, will watch this is how the move a few times this week, proof that there is space to be exploited, even if he nearly ran out of it. England will have much themselves, like not to challenge simmonds to raise any time. His second try. Is finished team finished with seven. A6 15 reads more harshly than perhaps italy deserve, but history has repeated emphatically. Very good. Very positive. The first game is always difficult. Italy are traditionally a difficult. Italy are traditionally a difficult opponent. I thought they played very well today. They are well coached. They have some good Young Players coming through. To have the bonus point at the 52 minute mark and to go on and win by a substantial score was pretty positive for us. In the womens six nations england put in a huge second performance to beat italy 42 points to seven. England captain sarah hunter went over for a hat trick of tries helping her team secure the bonus point. Great britain were defeated 3 1 by spain in their davis cup tie after Cameron Norrie lost in four sets, to albert ramos vinolas. But it was another excellent effort from the world number 114 who had pulled off a massive comeback victory in his first singles rubber on friday. I cannot speak highly enough of what he has done all weekend and again today. People might have thought it was a 1 off on friday, what he produced, but he did it again today against another high quality player. Anything can happen. People should really close. I am really proud of him. I have been saying it since friday that i am. No one can tell how someone will go out and play in a debut. And more the way he has played in the challenge tour. That isa played in the challenge tour. That is a Reference Point of how far he can go. The only way is up for him. Thats the sport for tonight of course super bowl 52 between the patriots and the eagles is live now on bbc one. It could be long night. Have a good one. Thank you very much. You are watching bbc news. Two pensioners have been injured in a suspected gas explosion near bolton. Emergency services were called out to the home in the town of farnworth. Several homes nearby were also evacuated. A man in his 70s is in a serious condition. Israel has begun handing out deportation notices to thousands of african migrants who entered the country illegally. Most are from eritrea and sudan, with unmarried men the first to be issued with orders to leave within two months, orface possible jail. Today hundreds of migrants queued up to try to obtain visas. The un has called on israel to scrap the plan, calling it both incoherent and unsafe. A senior sinn fein politician, who speaks for the party on policing, has been reported to police in belfast for alleged criminal damage. Gerry kelly was filmed removing a wheel clamp from his car after it had been clamped in the city centre. Sinn fein says the matter is being handled by mr kellys solicitor. From belfast, John Campbell reports. Gerry kelly represents north belfast in the Northern Ireland assembly. He speaks with his party on policing matters. 0n speaks with his party on policing matters. On friday morning, he parked outside his gym, in what is clearly marked as a restricted area. What happened next was captured by eyewitnesses. Mr kelly can be seen on the ground removing the clamp from his car, im tangling the chains from around the front wheel. 0n the ground beside him are a pair of what appear to be bolt cutters. 0nce of what appear to be bolt cutters. Once the clamp was free, mr kelly took it to the back of his car and prompted against the wall. Sinn fein say he then drove off to attend a meeting. They added that the issue is now in the hands of his solicitor and he would be making no further comment at this time. It is not clear if the other cars parked next to mr kelly were also clamped. Before his political role, gerry kelly was a Senior Member of the ira. Five years ago he was at the centre of another controversy when he was carried on the bonnet avei Police Land Rover during an incident in his constituency of a police. He was warned about his conduct. Today, his political opponents say he must explain his latest actions. When people are elected to the assembly with an a pledge of office to comply with the code of conduct and no one should be above the law. That is why we need the facts established as quickly as possible. The police say they are investigating a report of criminal damage to a wheel clamp. A deck officer from a wightlink ferry has been praised for his heroism afterjumping off his ship to save a drowning man. The dramatic rescue happened late last night in portsmouth harbour. Today the young man who was pulled out of the water phoned his rescuer to thank him for saving his life. Steve humphrey reports. He isa he is a modest hero. It isjust lucky we were out, i suppose, at the time. It had been a normal saturday night shift for Steve Chamberlain, a white lindt employee for 22 years he and his crew were getting the ferry ready for the Midnight Service when there came a shout of man overboard. I remember a lightweight going over my head and they attempted to throw out the guy. When the man in the water failed to throw out the the lie frink s steve took action. The only way out for him was for someone to go in. The code came off anyjumper, i grabbed hold of this and claimed up and flung myself over the side without thinking too much. Steve kept the mans head above water as the harbour launch race to to be seen. The casualty was pulled on board and taken to paramedics waiting onshore. Steve climbed out of the water, up there s ladder, he was also taken to hospitalfor a there s ladder, he was also taken to hospital for a checkup. It is brave. 0ur lads are trained to do this kind of thing. A truly heroic act. We think so. We are very proud of him. People are saying that she did is heroic. What is a reaction . I do really know. I dont think i am a hero. I wasjust do really know. I dont think i am a hero. I was just lucky do really know. I dont think i am a hero. I wasjust lucky enough to be around to help someone out in trouble. It is not known how the man fell into the water. This morning he made a phone call from hospital to thank made a phone call from hospital to tha n k steve made a phone call from hospital to thank Steve Chamberlain for saving his life. He is well and good and very thankful and appreciative. Next week, Steve Chamberlain and the man he rescued are planning to go out for a he rescued are planning to go out fora drink he rescued are planning to go out for a drink together. Would you do it again was yellow yes, without a doubt. That was it. No sort of decision was made. It was do or die. We will look at the newspapers in just a moment. At first what the weather hasnt stopped the weekend. It is turning cold. We have snow on the way. Not for everybody. This is a picture from today, sunday. We ended the weekend on a fine note with london. Now it is turning cold. There might be a dusting of snow here and they are already across some eastern and south eastern areas. It is this north easterly wind that has been dragging in the cloud and the wintry showers in the last few hours. Through because of the night there be a dusting from east anglia, latency, the south east, it is not one big coherent area of sir coming our way, just showers snow. Many will mist the snow altogether. Most will mist the snow altogether. Most will mist the snow. It is probably kent and sussex, maybe the Greater London area that could capture a couple of fla kes area that could capture a couple of flakes of snow. And at about the south east. The rest of the country, beautiful, crisp and cold. Sunshine first thing. Nice across the lake district. Belfast, two. Across wales, scotland, in the lowlands, around freezing with some sunshine first thing in the morning. This is what it looks like during the course of the day. A lot of sunshine across northern and western areas, beautiful in the lowlands will stop fine for cardiff and plymouth as well. Further towards the east, partly cloudy skies and occasionally we will have those showers. Some will be wintry around lincolnshire and the east midlands. Watch this next weather front moving into northern areas, bringing a spell of snow into scotland, Northern Ireland, northern england, down towards the south west. Then it falls apart. We are not expecting much in the way of snow tomorrow in eastern areas. Anything that falls will be early in the morning across the north west. Tuesday night, into wednesday, we are between weather systems, clear skies. Wednesday, we are between weather systems, clearskies. Rain is wednesday, we are between weather systems, clear skies. Rain is moving in. This will bring a spell of perhaps slightly cloudy and wet weather as we head into thursday. The weather for the next few days, it will stay cold. It will be a cold week, possibly the cold as week of the winter we have had so far in terms of the low daytime temperatures we will have. That is it. Wrap up warmly and enjoy the rest of what is left this weekend. That is about half an hour. Hello. This is bbc news. Well be taking a look at tomorrow mornings papers in a moment first the headlines. The home secretary, amber rudd, insists that rifts within cabinet have been exaggerated, and says the uk will continue to seek a bespoke deal with the eu. At least two people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a rail crash in the us state of South Carolina. South africas president , jacob zuma, is reported to be Standing Firm as the leader of the anc during talks with top party officials. Political limbo continues in germany, as Angela Merkels party fails to form a coalition government. Talks continue tomorrow. Tobyjones and paul burkini star in caedmon journeys to make end. Tobyjones and paul burkini star in caedmonjourneys to make end. Here about that