Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240704

Card. The weather stays on the i chillier side of things. Tomorrow the will be drier and brighter. Its saturday the 2nd of march. Our main story. The Prime Minister has urged the nation to stand together against extremists who want to undermine britains multi faith democracy. Labour said rishi sunak was right to call for unity but the lib dems claimed the conservatives had sowed the seeds of division for years. Our Political Correspondent, leila nathoo, has the latest. The Prime Minister arriving back at Downing Street last night, ahead of an unusual address to the country from outside number ten, to warn that extremists were spreading poison. There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. Since october the 7th, there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, women and children. To advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda. His speech was prompted by the election of the controversial veteran politician, George Galloway, in thursdays by election in rochdale. Last night, he held a Victory Rally in his new constituency. He had fought his campaign promising to stand up for the people of gaza, and had this response to the Prime Ministers condemnation of his stance on the middle east. I won, and people are going to have to get used to it, dont ask me questions that you asked me all through the campaign. I won, and that argument is closed. Fired at a Cloud Posing A threat to troops. The tank appears to be withdrawing. The military blamed people in the crowd for the chaos. Some began violently pushing at trampling them to death. The is real Defence Force or put it according to the Rules Of Engagement and international law. No idf strike was conducted towards. Cameraman meta cameraman met a doctor. I am here like any cameraman met a doctor. I am here like any other person and gazza. The other like any other person and gazza. The other shame like any other person and gazza. The other shame to see we have people panicked when shots were fired~ we have people panicked when shots were fired. , were fired. People were inured. The bullet penetrated were fired. People were inured. The bullet penetrated my h were fired. People were injured. The bullet penetrated my thigh were fired. People were injured. The bullet penetrated my thigh and were fired. People were injured. The bullet penetrated my thigh and i bullet penetrated my thigh and i evaded cpr for myself. I went back to the injured, i had forgotten that the reason why i came, iforgot to the injured, i had forgotten that the reason why i came, i forgot the food and the aide and i was doing fast it for the injured. fix, food and the aide and i was doing fast it for the injured. Fast it for the inured. A doctor in another fast it for the injured. A doctor in another hospital fast it for the injured. A doctor in another hospital said fast it for the injured. A doctor in another hospital said the fast it for the injured. A doctor in another hospital said the dead i fast it for the injured. A doctor in l another hospital said the dead and wounded when gunshot victims. Aid was dropped and in gazza, the hungry rush towards the food but that was no operation to it on the skill needed any placement 85 of the population is displaced. People are so desperate the population is displaced. People are so desperate for the population is displaced. People are so desperate for food the population is displaced. People are so desperate for food and the population is displaced. People are so desperate for food and fresh wattle and supplies at the risk the lives to get any supplies to support their children and themselves without a secure Aid Operation our Diplomatic Correspondent paul adams has more on the International Pressure for an independent investigation. Eve ryo ne everyone is calling for it. The israelis will see will investigate and see if there are lessons to be learned, they will do that, whether they will do an open international supervised investigation of the kind being alluded to by some i dont but clearly they recognise they are under pressure to explain what happened. It is notjust a question of what the israeli army is saying versus what palestinian doctors are saying, you have for the First Time International observers from the un and the hospital yesterday who met people they said had experienced gunshot wounds. The team said it did not see dead bodies so when not able to make an assessment of how they died but they talk to people who had experienced Gunshot Injuries at the scene of the convoy. We are trying to reach out to the un to find more about what they heard and saw but in the meantime we have these growing demands notjust on an investigation into what happened but for israel to do more to address the shamanic tedious situation because what that awful episode on thursday demonstrates is how chronic and desperately humanitarian situation has become, how dangerous and the urgent need for more to be done to address it. That is why from joe biden a reference to do drops over gaza, something jordan has been doing for some time, a measure of the desperation the International Community is feeling about whatever way they can to improve the situation in gaza. President biden has promised that the us military will airdrop humanitarian aid into gaza in the coming days. The air drops will be coordinated with the jordanians, who have been at the forefront of efforts to send assistance to gaza by air. The us president has also signalled he hopes to see a deal for a ceasefire in the israel gaza war in time for the start of ramadan, which is set to begin on march 10th. The tragic and alarming events yesterday trying to get humanitarian assistance and to gaza, the loss of life is heartbreaking, people are desperate that now people got caught in a terrible war trying to feed the families and more and the us will do more. These Peoplejoin Withjordan and more. These people join withjordan and others more. These Peoplejoin Withjordan and others providing air drops of additionalfood and and others providing air drops of additional food and supplies. As World Leaders plan try to get aid into nortern gaza the need there is ever more desperate. According to local health officials, a tenth child had now died there from malnutrition and dehydration. As hospitals struggle with a lack of equipment, several other children remain in a critical condition. The World Food Programme has warned that if nothing changes, a famine is imminent in Northern Gaza the aunt of a child in critical condition, explained he had no milk. Translation this child is suffering from severe Dehydration Due to lack of help. She has put it on and it has artificial Milk Possession from the rubble when he was just a month, he has lost 2a members of his family. Unofficial figures from irans parliamentary elections held on friday put the turnout at about forty per cent which would be the lowest since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Irans rulers had been pressing for high participation to help repair the regimes reputation after nearly two years of protests sparked by the death in custody of the young woman, mahsa amini. The bbc hasnt been allowed to report from iran for 5 years but now our correspondent Caroline Davies has been given rare permission. The marks, made. The polls are closed, but the question is how many voted. At a Central Tehran polling station, a celebratory mood. This is one of the Polling Stations where both foreign and local media are directed to come, which means that for some, its also a place that they come to if they want to be seen to be voting. A newly married couple, former ministers and families like mr rohanis, out to cast their votes here. Translation those who dont vote are cutting themselves off from their own fate. They are saying we dont want to decide the future of our country. For me, its not the right choice. Early polling suggested that this could be a record low turnout across iran, but officials are optimistic. Translation the presence of people today proves that all the threats to the country and all the negative propaganda of the foreign media has failed. Still, people have come out. Iran has suggested that failing to vote risks undermining the countrys security, but some have other reasons not to. Shoppers were nervous to speak to foreign media today. One woman agreed, but anonymously. Translation the | economy is very bad. Everything has gone very expensive and the salary we get is very low. Even if i vote or not vote, my demands are not solvable. Some analysts think a lost turnout means lost faith. Low turnout means dissatisfaction dissatisfaction on cultural issues, on political issues, on economic issues. I feel that people have lost their interest in politics in general, and this low turnout will be another sign of that too. Final turnout is pending. Todays ballot comes at a sensitive time for iran abroad, as the authorities are counting their popularity at home. Caroline davies, bbc news, tehran. For more on this, lets speak to the director of the Chatham House middle east and north Africa Programme dr sanam vakil. We know that theres dissent and a among. The pitch of the ballot box. Viewers will recall that in 2022 a Young Kurdish Girl was killed and unleashed oneself for test across the country, radian comedian demanding a better life and leadership was not responsive, it was impressive and brutal and it is clackstone. Told in advance the system lick his election is more inclusive and in fact what many reformists including the former president s of the energy is cracking down and was to maintain a conservative majority and is not reaching up to its own people. We know the supreme is 85, as the country therefore at the crucial Turning Point and that is the concern of religion. Galloping throu~h concern of religion. Galloping through the concern of religion. Galloping through the transition, concern of religion. Galloping i through the transition, Particle Succession is certainly on the horizon and his selections were important because an additional collecting even given the choice to make the 86 clinics on the Assembly Of Experts and select the next Supreme Leader. It is expected constitutionally and based on past experience that the next Supreme Leader would come from the body itself and having a conservative consensus across the country it is important to manage at a table are sanctions from abroad and dissent across. ~ � r sanctions from abroad and dissent across. ~ � ~ ,. , across. With nba disparity of view and vote between across. With nba disparity of view and vote between cities across. With nba disparity of view and vote between cities and across. With nba disparity of view| and vote between cities and areas. We would have to wait for results but historically that has been higher, vote and sentence, is always a good indicator of the disparity of views, and it to watch her vote and ageing is quoting above 40 turnout and celebrating that as a victory against external as well as internal pressure to boycott the election and so his political establishment as using crucial Radian Stealth here and play up a record auto. The uk Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Has warned that britain 5 democracy is under threat from islamist extremists and the far right. In an address outside Downing Street he said the government and country must face down the extremists. Mr sunak s unexpected intervention follows the by election victory of the controversial far left politician George Galloway Whose Campaign in a seat with many muslim voters focussed on gaza. Lets take a listen to some of what the Prime Minister had to say what started as a descended into intimidation and threats and planned acts of violence. Jewish children for their School Uniform west identity people abused on the actions of a terrorist Group Connection with an additional democracy as a target. With more on this lets go live to our Political Correspondent Harry Farleyharry the Prime Minister speaking at Downing Street it isa it is a sense of gravitas when the election comes out and on this occasion at the end of a week which saw the left wing politician George Cavalry re elected again to parliament by the by election and we have seen protests outside the homes of politicians recently, there is a desire and government to reset what it sees as formal and appropriate levels of peaceful protest. Expecting past demonstrations across the country this weekend and vicious wood also set in his address he expected the police notjust to manage the protest but police them and he said he would back forces faq Collection Pois on a demonstrations this weekend. Beyond the tough rhetoric from the prime is the saint Street Questions about what the government plans to do about the protests and unify the country and there was pointing out the speech was tough on language but perhaps thin on measures and policies so there will be questions about was this about setting the tone ahead of elections . It is a valid question but difficult to tell what motivation was, election of george, he said was alarming, jewish groups highlighting the concerns about heavy election, George Galloway in 110 campaign for palestinian and critical of israel and he has promised to be a formidable when he enters the House Of Commons on behalf of gaza so there is concern from those in government and the labour party that of concluding a consensus of calm the sense of immersion and feeling around the conflict in israel and gaza is likely to be diminished with the arrival ofjosh. Three people have been injured in a shooting in a busy area of south london full of restaurants and bars. There have been no arrests so far following last nights incident in clapham. Our correspondent Louisa Pilbeam is at the scene. Police are continuing to search for two suspects they believe are involved in a shooting here, they say a mopane shot into a pump and you can see the Whole Un Police Have told me a Shotgun Pellet was fired. Not sure whether the pedestrians at the time, you know were injured, one was shot in the head and one in the lake. Condition is not believed to be life threatening police have said and another person was injured by the paint. The whole area was completely shut off yesterday by police, the police should only be. Shops and cabbies and bars and what would have been a busy area just opposite Clapham Common station at and 5pm this incident happened. Let 5 get some of the day 5 other news now argentinas president javier milei has vowed to speed up his plans to overhaul the country and solve its economic woes in a fiery speech to congress. Mr milei, speaking to lawmakers in a state of the union style address, took an aggressive tone, inviting congress to join him but warning that he would make changes with or without the legislature. The american businesswoman and fashion model, iris apfel, has died at the age of 102. The Textile Company she ran with her husband had a white house contract that spanned nine presidencies. She signed a Modelling Contract when she was 97, and was the oldest person to have a barbie doll made in her image a major Blizzard Blowing into the us states of california and nevada has forced the closure of Yosemite National park. Ski resorts in the lake tahoe region have also shut down. High winds are expected to hit the ridges of the sierra nevada, with up to three metres of Snow Forecast for some areas. Weather forecasters are warning that life threatening white out conditions could last through the weekend. The Florida Governor ron desantis has vetoed a bill passed by the states Republican Controlled Legislature that would have banned anyone under the age of 16 from using Social Media Platforms. The document was originally passed by florida lawmakers last week and would have required Social Media Platforms to terminate the accounts of under 16s. A killer whale off the coast of south africa has been caught on Camera Hunting and killing a Great White Shark in less than two minutes. Scientists say the behaviour showed the exceptional Hunting Skill of killer whales, but raised questions about how shark eating orcas might affect the food chain in that part of the ocean. Our science correspondent Victoria Gill has more. The Shark Hunting Orcas in south africa have fascinated scientists since they were filmed working together to kill Great White Sharks back in 2022. Now, theres been a solo attack. Its filmed from a boat and tricky to make out in all the surface splashing. But watch carefully. The Pointed Dorsalfin at the front is a young, eight foot long Great White Shark with a solitary male orca in pursuit. Two minutes later, Scientists Say the orca was consuming parts of the sharks liver at the surface. Why would they go specifically for their livers . I suspect that its quite an easily digested and easily obtainable part of the carcass. Whats really stands out is, is how skillful that behaviour has to be. These animals have clearly become able to handle what would otherwise be an absolutely terrifying creature and handle them very if efficiently with some skill. The behaviour and intelligence of these marine predators is constantly surprising. Scientists, researchers are still trying to work out why a population of orcas in the atlantic that we filmed last summer have taken to deliberately ramming into sailing vessels. The orcas in south africa appear to have learned to attack the sharks from the side, avoiding theirjaws. Its risky, but experts say it makes sense because if an orca can tackle a Great White Shark, thats a very large meal. Its another snapshot of the Hunting Prowess of one of the oceans most impressive predators. Victoria gill, bbc news. Sydneys annual Mardi Gras Pride March is taking place in australia. We can bring you these live pictures from the event, where Uniformed Police have been barred from taking part after an officer was charged with the murder of a gay couple. Organisers had wanted no police to take part, but after negotiations they have been allowed if wearing plain clothes. A Moment Of Silence was planned for the victims jesse baird and luke davies whose bodies were found this week in a case thats caused shock in australia. A Serving Constable whod previously been in relationship with mr baird has been charged with two counts of murder. Stay with us here on bbc news. It has been a colder winter stats to the weekend and staying chilly. For the weekend and staying chilly. For the sleet and snow is still possible but read and maybe hail and sunshine later. That, cordialtight but read and maybe hail and sunshine later. That, cordial tight end, the focus for the heaviest and longest shelves have been at the centre of that educated parts of wales so more snow on the hills, increasing sunshine to the south and east, persistently close to northeast time with strengthening winds but brighter than yesterday, chilly particularly the green and still making temperatures for some 35. Still making temperatures for some 3 5. Showers continuing to make focusing mainly Tribute North and of the country, says ante coordinates, rates paid for and ice and sunday. The centre of the patient has only move, starting across and for slave in and western showers focused across scotland and Northern Ireland on sunday morning, the higher, persistently pushing across Orkney And Shetland but chelsea and the rain and hail, you try and wait, potentially cloudy and the east coast of england and could see some rain. Temperatures are pipette onto deep actually still in his sunshine. Next system strengthening winds and workload sunshine turning his north and east it will be a drier day on monday even temperatures at comparable average. Dry weather around it, the green pc should be later and patchy. This is bbc news, the headlines. The un says many of the people treated for injuries following a rush on an aid convoy in gaza on thursday suffered gunshot wounds. Hamas has accused israel of firing at civilians, but israel said most died in a stampede after its troops fired warning shots. Voting ends in irans parliamentary elections. Officials say the nationwide turnout was about forty per cent the lowest since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. These are the first elections since nationwide Anti Government protests were held in 2022, following the death of mahsa amini in police custody. Crowds of supporters gather in The Streets Of Moscow to pay their respects to russias main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. A Human Rights Monitoring Group said 45 people have been detained across russia. Navalny was buried yesterday in a ceremony that was tightly controlled by russian authorities. It has been almost a year since the start of the conflict in sudan. More than 8 Million People have been displaced with more than1 million fleeing to neighbouring countries. Thousands have crossed the border into chad . And there are concerns that violence, food shortages, and a suspension of cross border aid is only going to increase this number. Lets speak to Kelly Clements deputy high commissioner of the un refugee agency, who hasjust arrived in nairobi from the chad border. What did you see at the border . Good morninu. What did you see at the border . Good morning this what did you see at the border . Good morning. This is what did you see at the border . Good morning. This is a what did you see at the border . 13mm morning. This is a dramatic situation, chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, and now the highest per capita refugee population. This country had hosted 400,000 refugees before this war broke out last year. What we saw at the border is incredible hospitality, the chad government and communities have kept borders open, they continue to receive refugees, not in the numbers of last year but there are still families coming across because of conflict in west darfur, and also a lack of supplies to support their families and survive. We have managed with the government authorities and many partners to move around a quarter of a Million People into new camps, settlements and extensions of previous camps. But theyre still around 160,000 people still there. We see a now where Refugees Outnumber Local Communities by two to one. Services are very limited, there is very little food and water, it is a very remote part of the country. And this is something where emergency relief needs to continue and we need to prepare for it to get worse before it gets better. There are widespread worse before it gets better. There are widespread reports worse before it gets better. There are widespread reports of are widespread reports of gender based violence. Are widespread reports of genderbased violence. Indeed, this is one of the genderbased violence. Indeed, this is one of the reasons genderbased violence. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why genderbased violence. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why many is one of the reasons why many families fled from west darfur, fighters entering homes, looting and killing, and raping and sexually assaulting women. And we see in this Refugee Situation that the majority, even higher than proportions in other parts of the world in terms of refugee operations, around 90 are women and children that have come to chad. And they report horrific circumstances. What they experienced in west darfur, and the journey to chad and shortages of supplies. The risk of gender based violence continues as families try to find fuel, water and other needs to support families. They sometimes have to go a distance to find it. You have highlighted the need for increased aid, how difficult logistically is it to get aid into the region . Logistically is it to get aid into the reuion . , ,. The region . Tremendously difficult. The overall response the region . Tremendously difficult. The overall response that the region . Tremendously difficult. The overall response that the the region . Tremendously difficult. The overall response that the us i the region . Tremendously difficult. L the overall response that the us has lodged for the sudan humanitarian situation and five countries surrounding sudan that are hosting refugees. The total is over 4 billion. We are already in march, we barely have 5 supported. So just having the resources to procure the items are difficult. Getting into this part of chad, it is a long way from supply routes, it is a landlocked country, in a fragile region, with roots very difficult to pass. We are in the dry season, the race is on because when the rainy season comes it is even more difficult to access populations. The International Community is trying to support the community of chad urgently to get this aid in quickly, but we need more help and support to make that happen. Make that happen. Thank you very much. The uk Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Has warned that britain 5 democracy is under threat from islamist extremists and the far right. In an address outside Downing Street he said the government and country must face down the extremists. Mr sunak s unexpected intervention follows the by election victory of the controversial far left politician George Galloway Whose Campaign in a seat with many muslim voters focussed on gaza. John mcternan was a Labour Political Strategist who was the Prime Minister tony blairs director of political operations from 2005 to 2007. Hejoins us now. What he joins us now. What you think the uk Prime Minister was hoping to achieve here . I uk Prime Minister was hoping to achieve here . Uk Prime Minister was hoping to achieve here . ,. , achieve here . I think sadly, he was t in to achieve here . I think sadly, he was trying to turn achieve here . I think sadly, he was trying to turn the achieve here . I think sadly, he was trying to turn the issue achieve here . I think sadly, he was trying to turn the issue of achieve here . I think sadly, he was trying to turn the issue of division l trying to turn the issue of division in the country which is real in our politics, he is trying to turn that into a campaign issue, a wedge issue to distinguish himself and the government from the labour party. I thought it was a very shallow speech, it was very low politics, i think he took an rafjet from aberdeen to come down and make a content free speech. It seemed quite contemptuous to the people of rochdale, they chose to pick George Galloway, Conservative Party and labour were crushed in that by election. And to make a speech that attacks them as dupes. Rochdale, just to be clear. What should he have said . Putting rochdale aside. What should he have said . Because it is unquestionable that he is responding to a series of incidents which are serious and concerning. I incidents which are serious and concerning incidents which are serious and concerninu. ,. Concerning. I wish he had named the incidents he concerning. I wish he had named the incidents he was concerning. I wish he had named the incidents he was talking concerning. I wish he had named the incidents he was talking about. Concerning. I wish he had named the incidents he was talking about. He. Incidents he was talking about. He should have apologised for the racism of his own former party deputy chair, he and his cabinet have refused to called Lee Andersons comments about sadiq khan racism. You cant attack division if you dont condemn your own division in the party members. This is suspended former mp. I think he should have condemned his own party first. ~. , i. Should have condemned his own party first. ~. ,. ,. First. What would you do, what you do ou first. What would you do, what you do you have first. What would you do, what you do you have said first. What would you do, what you do you have said in first. What would you do, what you do you have said in those do you have said in those circumstances . He did respond to it. It is unquestionable that many people think we have a problem on our hands. I people think we have a problem on our hands. ~ , people think we have a problem on our hands. ,. Our hands. I think it is important for the prime our hands. I think it is important for the Prime Minister our hands. I think it is important for the Prime Minister to our hands. I think it is important| for the Prime Minister to actually speu for the Prime Minister to actually spell out what he thinks the problem is with specific incidents. Is his problem people using their right of free speech to demonstrate the slaughter in gaza . If it is he should take that argument on. Is it that he wants to gaslight the nation . This is the problem, there is a general gesturing to we have a problem, you need to give the specifics. Yes, we do have terrorists in our country, there are far right terrorists, there are islamic terrorists, they are being tracked by the security services. They are good at disrupting terrorism, they have been doing this for decades, they have jailed people before they are able to commit horrendous acts. If it is terrorism, the country is behind him but the idea that you can use the word islamism to attack the democratic mayor of london, to use the word islamist and to say in some way that is to do with the demonstration on the streets of london. But would ou the streets of london. But would you concede the streets of london. But would you concede that the streets of london. But would you concede that there the streets of london. But would you concede that there has the streets of london. But would you concede that there has been i the streets of london. But would | you concede that there has been an increase in anti semitic attacks . There has been an increase in anti islamic attacks, there are problems for both, but you need to diagnose what is driving it and address what to do. The end of that speech was i am going to bring in a robust framework, you have flown down from aberdeen in an rafjet to tell us sketchily about a problem that you think exists and given no idea to what the solution is. That is the problem, it is wavy and airy and he is trying to say i am looking at division, we need to solve this while creating division. That is the contradiction, he is seeking to wedge the electorate and bring support to a unpopular government. On friday, thousands of people gathered on The Streets Of Moscow, defying a heavy police presence, to pay their last respects to russias main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. The crowds chanted his name as his Funeral Service was held, two weeks after he died in prison. Alexei navalny� s mother was among the mourners allowed into the cemetary to see him buried but his wife decided not to travel to russia. Steven fish is professor of Political Science at the university of california, berkeley. He gave us his reaction to the numbers who came out onto the streets for navalny� s funeral. Not surprised because i do suspect that there is a great deal more opposition to meets the eye. What we saw were many thousands of people who were willing to come out and risk theirjobs and even freedom to say goodbye to Alexei Navalny. The streets were covered in cameras, the identity of people is easily ascertained by the government but people came out anyway. This gives a lie to some Public Opinion polls coming out of russia that shows the overwhelming majority support putin, they support the war. It is hard to do Public Opinion polls in our authoritarian regime, one of the reasons is people get anonymous calls, people are asked if they like the president and the war, given what is going on in the country, knowing the slightest hint of a word against putting could land you in prison, how do you think people are going to answer . They are either not going to answer . They are either not going to answer or they will answer that they like putin and the war. We dont know what mass opinion is. Vladimir putin is scared, he was so scared of Alexei Navalny that he wouldnt utter his name in public. And the spirit of Alexei Navalny continues to threaten put in and give him nightmares. The election is going to go the way that putin wanted to go, not even a token opposition candidate is allowed to run. In previous elections putin has allowed some unpopular candidates to run to create the appearance of some sort of opposition. This time there was a liberal candidate was anti war who gathered all the needed signatures and it looked like he might have public support but then he was then disqualified. The only candidate is allowed to run against putin are all pro putin. They are all from Pocket Parties that do his bidding. The election will go the way putting once, he will get an overwhelming majority, 80 Something Like that and these other candidates arent even campaigning. Putin also controls the entire electoral apparatus, the Electoral Commission that runs the elections and counts the votes can count them any way they want, there is no oversight. Putin is completely in charge. So what we can count on is an overwhelming vote for putin and greatly inflated figures on election turnout. People are told if they dont turn outjobs could be in danger, especially people working in State Enterprises are told they have to get out and vote. But the fact is that electoral turnout will be shown to be 65 or 70 when perhaps half of fewer voters will come out. Everyone knows if they stand up to putin they are in trouble. He monitors very closely the people around him and monitoring each other, and for people in general in russia. Putin, all these years has legend to his rule by saying he is standing up for russia, some people find that convincing, that is there just to justification he brings for the invasion of ukraine. The irony here is that russian sovereignty which putin has said he is most bent on trying to expand and strengthen has actually been destroyed by the war. Never before in russian history has a leader so spoiled relations with the west that he or she had to turn east to an asian power and sell their sovereignty to that power. Putin has become a junior partner to china because it is the only major country that will support him. This hasnt had much of an effect on russias reputation abroad. Norfor that matter puttings reputation. A few years ago he bestrode the world lacquer autocratic colossus, he was a star in the meetings he went to, now he is a pariah that cant leave the country for fear that he will be arrested and sent to the hague for war crimes. He is charged with the kidnapping of thousands of ukrainian children. This is a big come down for russia and putin, it didnt have to be the way but putin decided to pursue this path. This week south korea broke its own world record for the lowest birth rate in the world. 230,000 babies were born there last year, in a country with a population over 50 million. Low birth rates are now being seen in many countries across the world . Including the uk. Our analysis editor ros atkins has been looking into it. For years, for yea rs, two for years, two things have been true. The World Population is increasing and the birth rate is falling. South korea already had the worlds lowest birth rate but new data shows it had fallen further. Japan also recorded a new low. Translation the japan also recorded a new low. Translation japan also recorded a new low. Translation . , , translation the decline of births is a crisis, translation the decline of births is a crisis. I translation the decline of births is a crisis, i believe translation the decline of births is a crisis, i believe we translation the decline of births is a crisis, i believe we are translation the decline of births is a crisis, i believe we are at translation the decline of births is a crisis, i believe we are at a is a crisis, i believe we are at a time is a crisis, i believe we are at a time where is a crisis, i believe we are at a time where we have to take urgent measures time where we have to take urgent measures. The time where we have to take urgent measures. ,. , measures. The birth rate is the averaue measures. The birth rate is the average number measures. The birth rate is the average number of measures. The birth rate is the average number of children measures. The birth rate is the l average number of children each women have. You will see this number a lot, 2. 1. This is the rate needed to maintain populations, south korea is not close. Last year at this rate was 0. 72, japan is at 1. 26. The eu average is 1. 53, was 0. 72, japan is at 1. 26. The eu average is1. 53, and was 0. 72, japan is at 1. 26. The eu average is 1. 53, and the uk is at 1. 49 and that is a record low. Many countries are now below 2. 1. Essen countries are now below 2. 1. Even countries are now below 2. 1. Even countries with countries are now below 2. 1. Even countries with relatively countries are now below 2. 1. Even countries with relatively high birth rates countries with relatively high birth rates are countries with relatively high birth rates are often at half the rate of what rates are often at half the rate of what they rates are often at half the rate of what they were. The average person now lives what they were. The average person now lives in what they were. The average person now lives in a country that has a lower now lives in a country that has a lower than now lives in a country that has a lower than replacement Fertility Rate lower than replacement Fertility Rate. �. ,. , rate. Birth rates matter because they contribute rate. Birth rates matter because they contribute to rate. Birth rates matter because they contribute to longterm rate. Birth rates matter because they contribute to longterm changes they contribute to long term changes in population and the consequences that follow. Low birth rates can cause populations to fall, japan is expected to decrease by 30 , south korea by 50 . In some countries including the uk the situation is different. Populations are projected to increase mainly because of immigration. But immigration cant counter all the impacts of a low birth rate. Counter all the impacts of a low birth rate counter all the impacts of a low birth rate. ,. , a. , birth rate. There is no quick fix to population birth rate. There is no quick fix to Population Decline birth rate. There is no quick fix to Population Decline or birth rate. There is no quick fix to Population Decline or population l Population Decline or Population Ageing Population Decline or Population Ageing birth Population Decline or Population Ageing. Birth rates Population Decline or Population Ageing. Birth rates affect ageing. Birth rates affect populdti ageing. Birth rates affect Population Growth ageing. Birth rates affect Population Growth in ageing. Birth rates affect Population Growth in the| ageing. Birth rates affect Population Growth in the long run, whereas Population Growth in the long run, whereas immigration Population Growth in the long run, whereas Immigration Effects Population Growth in the long run, whereas Immigration Effects in Population Growth in the long run, | whereas Immigration Effects in the short whereas Immigration Effects in the short term whereas Immigration Effects in the short term. Immigrants whereas Immigration Effects in the short term. Immigrants also whereas Immigration Effects in the short term. Immigrants also age. I whereas Immigration Effects in the i short term. Immigrants also age. Is short term. Immigrants also age. Ae3 people short term. Immigrants also age. People live longer, elderly people will make up a greater proportion of the population. It is will make up a greater proportion of the population the population. It is no surprise that japan the population. It is no surprise that japan which the population. It is no surprise that japan which has the population. It is no surprise that japan which has this the population. It is no surprise that japan which has this very i that japan which has this very low fertility that japan which has this very low Fertility Rate and the older population in the world has the worst population in the world has the worst Government Finances in the developed world because the government is spending more on Health Government is spending more on health care and pensions and has fewer health care and pensions and has fewer taxpayers. In health care and pensions and has fewer taxpayers. Fewer taxpayers. In the uk, the shift in the fewer taxpayers. In the uk, the shift in the makeup fewer taxpayers. In the uk, the shift in the makeup of fewer taxpayers. In the uk, the shift in the makeup of the shift in the make up of the population is coming. By 2070 the number of workers is rising by a million, the number of pensioners is rising by 5 million. Economists argue that for countries with low birth rates the implications are higher taxes, birth rates the implications are highertaxes, later birth rates the implications are higher taxes, later retirements, birth rates the implications are highertaxes, later retirements, low returns for savers and possibly budget crisis. We will see but there is no doubt that some governments are increasingly preoccupied with birth rate and what is causing them. In south korea there are many reasons including the cost of education and women and the workplace. Childcare is a considerationjust as in workplace. Childcare is a consideration just as in the uk. According to a recent study, the uk has some of the highest Childcare Costs in the world. Theres also a shortage of places. Around the world availability of childcare impacts womens decisions. Availability of childcare impacts womens decisions. Availability of childcare impacts womensdecisions. ,. , womens decisions. Research shows if ou womens decisions. Research shows if you affordable. Womens decisions. Research shows if you affordable, high womens decisions. Research shows if you affordable, high quality womens decisions. Research shows if you affordable, high quality child you affordable, high quality child hood you affordable, high quality child hood education, you affordable, high quality child hood education, that you affordable, high quality child hood education, that is you affordable, high quality child. Hood education, that is associated with higher hood education, that is associated with higher birth hood education, that is associated with higher birth rate. Hood education, that is associated with higher birth rate. This hood education, that is associated with higher birth rate. With higher birth rate. This helps exlain with higher birth rate. This helps exolain what with higher birth rate. This helps explain what is with higher birth rate. This helps explain what is happening, with higher birth rate. This helps explain what is happening, but i with higher birth rate. This helps i explain what is happening, but fully explaining what is happening is hard and it makes responding to low birth rates hard too. It is and it makes responding to low birth rates hard too. Rates hard too. It is difficult for policymakers rates hard too. It is difficult for policymakers to rates hard too. It is difficult for policymakers to address i rates hard too. It is difficult for policymakers to address the i policymakers to address the complexity of cultural reasons why we are complexity of cultural reasons why we are not complexity of cultural reasons why we are not having as many children. What we are not having as many children. What they we are not having as many children. What they have in their arsenal is only economic tools and it goes well beyond only economic tools and it goes well beyond that. It is only economic tools and it goes well beyond that beyond that. It is difficult for policymakers beyond that. It is difficult for policymakers but beyond that. It is difficult for policymakers but some i beyond that. It is difficult for policymakers but some are l beyond that. It is difficult for i policymakers but some are acting. Beyond that. It is difficult for policymakers but some are acting. In south korea they tried Cash Incentives and subsidise health care, that didnt work. In france the president talked of Demographic Rearmament and announced a plan that included changes to parental leave. Italy which has won the lowest birth rate, the Prime Minister announced a range of initiatives. But evidence suggests it is difficult to reverse a falling birth rate, while some countries try, the global population continues to go up. The un highlights two factors, the gradual increase in Human Life Span and high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries. There are those to whom this Publishing Growth is the real issue, in particularfor the real issue, in particularfor the climate. And who believe no birth rates are welcome. Already, many countries have low birth rates and some want to increase theirs, Population Growth and low birth rate are demanding attention. Ah, lat Population Growth and low birth rate are demanding attention. Are demanding attention. A lot of eole are demanding attention. A lot of people are are demanding attention. A lot of people are surprised are demanding attention. A lot of people are surprised to are demanding attention. A lot of people are surprised to see i are demanding attention. A lot of people are surprised to see that. Are demanding attention. A lot of i people are surprised to see that the Global People are surprised to see that the global population numbers are still growing. Global population numbers are still growing, the total number of people on the growing, the total number of people on the planet, at the same time we talk about on the planet, at the same time we talk about birth rates declining. I like to talk about birth rates declining. I like to think of it what is on the surface like to think of it what is on the surface versus what is beneath the surface surface versus what is beneath the surface. ,. ,. , surface. Does declining birth rates will cause major surface. Does declining birth rates will cause major shifts surface. Does declining birth rates will cause major shifts in will cause major shifts in populations, which may lead the populations, which may lead the population to start falling in the next century, shifts that will have consequences for how our societies function. That was ros atkins looking at falling birth rates around the world. Campaigning has got underway in mexicos president ial election. The country is likely to elect its first ever female president , with Opinion Polls showing former mexico city mayor Claudia Shane Baum as an early favorite. Shes currently polling about 20 to 30 points ahead of her main challenger Xochitl Galvez. Ms shane baums platform is one of continuity, to follow the policies of president Andres Manuel lopez obrador. Our mexico correspondent will grant has more. The official start of campaigning marks the beginning of a gruelling 90 days, vying to be the first woman president. But this event for Claudia Shane Baum, the message is one of continuity, what she is saying to her supporters is that she will support the Economic Vision and social policies of the incumbent Andres Manuel lopez obrador. That will be popular with these people who are turning out. They have been very supportive of his focus on pensions, opening of University Grants to young people and social Spending Plans in general. Nevertheless, we asked a few people in the main square of mexico city what they felt the new president should focus on, what would be the main thing they should look at and they all said the same thing. Crime. Security, where i live is very dangerous, and after a certain hour you cant even go to the shop because people say dont go out, you will be assaulted. Better security. Translation will be assaulted. Better security. Translation ,. ,. , translation they need to put more focus and effort translation they need to put more focus and effort on translation they need to put more focus and effort on security translation they need to put more focus and effort on security issues, i focus and effort on security issues, it is affecting every state in the country it is affecting every state in the count. �. , it is affecting every state in the count. ,. It is affecting every state in the count. , country. And that is a calculation that miss shanebaums country. And that is a calculation that miss shanebaums newest| that miss shane baums newest competitor Xochitl Galvez is focusing. The heart of her campaign is going to be about security. She is going to be about security. She is going to build a mega prison for drug cartel members, she will improve the conditions and the pensions of members of the security forces. That will echo well with a certain sector of the electorate who believe the situation on crime is deteriorating month after month, and that president Andres Manuel lopez obrador. But even on the anti crime platform, she will struggle to knock Claudia Shane Baum and the governing party out, given that miss shane baum is 25 or 30 points in the lead. A new species of sea slug has been discovered in british waters by two marine researchers. The pair were on a routine survey off the South West Coast this is a serendipitous discovery. You have to challenge your own assumptions and very quickly and excitingly, we encountered Something Different. At that time we didnt know it was a new species, but we definitely knew it was Something Different and something we werent familiar with. Different and something we werent familiarwith. On different and something we werent familiar with. On the right hand side of the animal, there is a very delicate but beautiful feather reed structure, it looks like a canoe paddle and this is actually the gill of the sea slug. That was the first thing we noticed, the presence of the gill on the side of the animal which is quite unusual for sea slugs. Normally they are in the middle of the animal on the back. It has taken us since 2018 when we challenge the identification of this animal, it has taken us a fair while to get to this point. It is really rewarding and we are pleased to be at the stage where we can share this with notjust the wider Scientific Community but everyone. It is community but everyone. It is surprisingly community but everyone. It is surprisingly beautiful. Stay with us here on bbc news. It has been a cold and for some wintry start and will stay chilly, further sleet and snow possible in the widespread showers we see across the widespread showers we see across the country. Mostly it will be rain, a little bit of hail, more sunshine breaking out later on. We have a area of low pressure, the focus for the heaviest and longest showers have been around the centre of that low, that is where we have seen sleet and snow, edging into part of wales so we will see snow on the hills. A little shower elsewhere but increased amounts of sunshine in the south and east. Persistent rain in the North East Of Scotland for a time with strengthening winds. The west of scotland, bright afternoon, Northern Ireland brighter than yesterday but chilly where that rain sleet and snow is mixed. Temperature is around three or 5 degrees. Showers continue to focus mainly to the north and the rest of the country, that is with clear skies there will be a cold night, widespread frost and the risk of ice into sunday morning. The centre of the low pressure is on the move, into the morning it starts across scotland before sliding northwards, we start the showers focused on scotland and Northern Ireland on sunday morning. Still wintry of a higher ground, persistent rain in Orkney And Shetland, while there are still some showers dotted here and there, mainly rain and hail, more of it will be dry and bright. The one potential fly in the ointment is along the coastal straits they could be rain from a Weather Front Grazing us. Temperatures up a bit but feeling chilly still out of the sunshine. Monday, clearskies, but this Weather System will bring strengthening winds across the south west, wales and Northern Ireland. Sunshine turning hazy elsewhere as cloud increases but for most of you in the north and east it will be a dry day on monday, even if temperatures are at or below average. Temperatures will lift further as we go through the week, bit more in the way of dry weather, the rain that we do see should be and patchy. Live from london. This is bbc news the un says many of the people injured in an Aid Convoy Rush In Gaza On thursday were wounded by Gun Shots Rishi Sunak says islamist and far right extremists are two sides of the same coin who Loath Britain Voting closes in irans elections with officials saying turnout was around 40 a record low campaigning gets underway in mexicos president ial election the country is likely to elect its first everfemale president and American Fashion icon and designer iris apfel has died at the age of 102. The United Nations says its team visiting gazas largest hospital has met many people wounded by gunshots as they crowded around an aid convoy on thursday. 00v there have been International Calls for an investigation there have been International Calls for an investigation into the incident, in which more than a hundred palestinians were reported killed. Israel admits its forces opened fire but said most of the deaths happened in a crush. One of the un team shared what he saw at the hospital. It was treating more than 200 people that were injured yesterday. We have seen people with gunshot wounds. We have seen amputees and we have seen children as young