tv BBC News Now BBC News August 19, 2024 2:00pm-2:31pm BST
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one person is dead and six are missing after a super—yacht sinks off the coast of sicily. a captain on a nearby boat describes a huge gust of wind. british tech entrepreneur mike lynch is reportedly among the missing. "a decisive moment for the gaza ceasefire talks". america's top diplomat is in israel for discussions as the israelis and hamas both blame each other for blocking a deal. kamala harris is in chicago for the democratic national convention where she'll be formally confirmed as the party's presidential candidate to face donald trump in november's election. president zelensky says ukraine wants to create a buffer zone in russia's kursk region after destroying multiple bridges. bbc verify looks at the footage. and as the world prepares to catch sight of a rare blue supermoon, skywatchers in seoul are treated to the spectacular lunar event.
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hello, i'm lucy hockings. welcome to bbc news now — are missing, after a yacht sank in the early hours of this morning. there are reports that the british technology tycoon mike lynch is among those missing. the bbc has yet to confirm this. the incident took place in the mediterranean, off the coast of the italian island of sicily. one body has been recovered by the coastguard, who rescued 15 other people. our correspondent tom symonds has the latest. the superyacht bayesian, safely anchored off the shore of sicily last night with clouds gathering. at 4am local time at the storm hit this nearby town. eyewitnesses watching the bay saw a water spout drawn up by the wind. the bayesian, with 12 guests and ten
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staff on board was in trouble. a trawler captain watched from his boat nearby. the other ship, 55 metres, i think, 72 metre long mast. they went flat on the water and then down. with the light we saw the ship was aside, and then we saw a triangle, so i think it went back and down. terrible moments. yes, and the liferaft was also a little baby and the wife of the owner. after sunrise the coastguard said 15 passengers or crew had been rescued by a nearby yacht but seven were still missing. later emergency responders appeared to recover a body bag. those on board were from britain, new zealand, sri lanka, ireland and france. with the yacht now reported to be at a depth of
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150 feet, divers have been brought in to search. an investigation will be carried out. one focus will be the weather, with a violent wind sweeping the northern sicilian coast at the time. the harbour would have provided protection but the bayesian was anchored outside its walls offshore, common practice for large super yachts in the mediterranean with their guests ferried ashore in smaller vessels. but it meant this luxury vessel was vulnerable. tom symonds, bbc news. let's hear more from one of the rescuers who we heard from in that report. captain karsten borner was on a nearby vessel and helped with the rescue of 15 people. we got this very strong archon gust. yeah. and we had to start the engine to keep the ship in the anchor position. and we watched the ship behind us, not to touch them. yeah. and, uh, we managed to keep the ship in position. and after the storm was over,
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we noticed that the ship behind us was gone. 0k. and then we saw a red flare. yeah. so my first mate and i went to, erm, to the position, and we found this liferaft. yeah. drifting. but anything inside? 15 people inside. huh? 15 people? 15 people inside. four people injured. three heavily injured. yeah. and we brought them to our ship and then we communicated with the coastguard. and after some time, the coastguard came, and later they picked the injured people. and when we went two hours later, they picked up the other people. i think it was a gust of 1204.
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this is a strong gust, very strong, very strong. and we have been healing also a lot. yeah, but the other ship was strange enough. it's 55m, i think, with a 72m long mast. they went flat on the water. yeah. and then down. so once in a, in a, in a. erm, what's the word? with a light. we saw that the ship was inside and then we saw a triangle. so i think she went back down. terrible. terrible moments. yes. and in the last life raft was also a little baby. and the wife of the owner. the owner and her child are still inside, i guess. so, erm, it was a big disaster. yeah. the latest we have from sicily is that british tech entrepreneur mike
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lynch is reportedly amongst those who are missing. the bbc has yet to confirm this. sources are speaking to reuters news agency who are reporting it. the british businessman was the co—founder of the software company autonomy in cambridge in 1996. it expanded and became one of the uk's leading tech firms, then he sold it to computing giant hewlett—packard for about £8.6 billion in 2011. in that deal, mike lynch made £500 million, about 647 million. questions were asked about the enormous price tag. there were years of legal battles that followed. but the trial that took place in the us, he was acquitted in that trial back injune. in an interview with the bbc this month, he said the recent years sitting here, let's be honest, is not only because i am innocent, because i have enough money not to be swept
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away by a process that is setup to sweep your way. you has —— he has recently spoken with the bbc. reuters news agency is reporting that he is amongst the missing but the bbc has yet to confirm this. what we do know is being looked into by sam harrison. what are we hearing from the coastguard and others in sicily? from the coastguard and others in sicil ? ., ., ~ ~ , . sicily? you mentioned mike lynch there, a significant _ sicily? you mentioned mike lynch there, a significant figure, - sicily? you mentioned mike lynch there, a significant figure, british| there, a significant figure, british tech tycoon that many people will be familiar with in the uk. you mention some of the 90 has been associated with, the likes of autonomy. he was dubbed briton�*s bill gates. it is significant news reaching us. it is unconfirmed at this stage, so we are not able to say with any certainty for now whether or not he was involved. what we do know so far is that one man has been found dead. the rescue effort is extensive. we know there is a rescue operation taking place, where divers are doing deep dives. the boat is now thought
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to be 150 feet underwater. it is an extensive mission to try and find out more about what happened. there has been rough weather this week in the mediterranean. that stretch of sea between the north of sicily and naples. we have heard of a number of storms that have taken place there in the past week. it is known that there have been rough waters there, and as we were hearing just then, last night, this boat got into trouble in the early hours of this morning. the storm hit out for a local time. we have heard reports of eyewitnesses saying it turned to one side. the rescue effort will now be extensive to try and figure out exactly what happened. as soon as we know, we will have more news on mike lynch as well. flaw; know, we will have more news on mike lynch as well-— lynch as well. any testimony coming throu . h lynch as well. any testimony coming through from — lynch as well. any testimony coming through from those _ lynch as well. any testimony coming through from those that _ lynch as well. any testimony coming through from those that were - through from those that were rescued? ., , ., through from those that were rescued? ., ,., . ., through from those that were rescued? ., . ., . rescued? note so much -- not so much from those _ rescued? note so much -- not so much from those rescued _ rescued? note so much -- not so much from those rescued so _ rescued? note so much -- not so much from those rescued so far. _ rescued? note so much -- not so much
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from those rescued so far. we - rescued? note so much -- not so much from those rescued so far. we know - rescued? note so much -- not so much from those rescued so far. we know a l from those rescued so far. we know a one—year—old girl was taken away by rescue services. that has been confirmed. 0ther rescue services. that has been confirmed. other than that, we haven't heard too much yet. we heard from an eyewitness who spoke to reuters news agency and was able to give more of a description of the harrowing images that people could see from the coast, this enormous my 56 metre long yacht, getting into trouble, turning onto its side. it was a terrifying scene. as we get more and we are able to piece together exactly what happened, we will let you know.— will let you know. since you and i have been _ will let you know. since you and i have been speaking, _ will let you know. since you and i have been speaking, the - will let you know. since you and i have been speaking, the italian l will let you know. since you and i - have been speaking, the italian news media, one of the newspapers, has been quoting the mother of the child, the british mother of the one—year—old. she said, i held her afloat with all of my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning. it was dark in the water. i couldn't keep my eyes open. i call for help and all around me i could hear the screams of others.
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that one—year—old little girl hugging the firefighter who rescued her. according to italian media, they are both 0k and doing well. we will have more on this story as soon as we get it. now is "probably the best, maybe the last opportunity" to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in gaza — those, the words of the us secretary of state antony blinken, who's been holding talks with israel's prime minister, benjamin neta nyahu, in tel aviv. the us has expressed optimism about a deal, but that level of optimism is not shared by the israeli leadership or hamas. the current negotiations are based on a modified proposal presented by the us. the main sticking points are: israel's military presence along the philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land along if gaza's southern border with egypt. hamas wants assurances that israel will not resume the war after the first batch of hostages, around 30, are released. and israel wants to ensure negotiations do not drag on indefinitely over the second phase in which the remaining living hostages, including male soldiers
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would be freed. our us state department correspondent tom bateman has this report. antony blinken�*s message to the israeli leader is to take a deal now. the time for trying to get even more out of the talks, say the americans, is over. this is the us secretary of state's ninth visit since october the 7th, and washington wants the ceasefire deal done by as soon as next week. but mr netanyahu for one is digging in, saying he insists the truce sees israel keep boots on the ground in strategic parts of gaza. hamas says that is not in the us framework, and means no end to the war. each side accuses the other of blocking a breakthrough. good morning, mr secretary. welcome again to israel. meeting the israeli president this morning, mr blinken stressed a sense of urgency. this is a decisive moment. probably the best, maybe the last
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opportunity to get hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security. i'm here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort on president biden's instructions to try to get this agreement to the line and ultimately over the line. it is time for it to get done. antony blinken�*s style is not the diplomatic arm wrench, and so far the americans can't point to that many cases in this war where they have applied pressure on the israelis and got them to change course in the way that washington has really wanted. and now the test is even greater. to persuade mr netanyahu to say yes to bringing this war to an end on the terms available now. around the time mr blinken arrived in tel aviv last night, a bomb went off in the city, wounding one person and killing the perpetrator. hamas and islamichhad have taken responsibility, and are threatening a return of suicide bombings if israel
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doesn't end its attacks on gaza. israeli police haven't confirmed whether it was a suicide attack. while in gaza, another journalist was wounded, hit by shrapnel as she documented israel's expanded invasion into the city of khan younis. it followed palestinian reports that a further 21 people, including six children and their mother, were killed in israeli air strikes yesterday. the sound of american diplomacy isn't being heard on the destroyed streets of gaza, and the humanitarian disaster is deepening. the un is now calling for a pause in the fighting to stem an outbreak of polio, with gaza's first case in many years confirmed last week. as this ceasefire deal hangs in the balance, american firepower is again roaming the waters off these shores. there, says mr blinken, to deter threats by iran or lebanese hezbollah.
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his tour of de—escalation diplomacy continues with egypt tomorrow. the risk of even wider war remains on the horizon. tom bateman, bbc news, tel aviv. let's return to the story we have been showing you on the side of the screen. we are following it closely on our live page on the bbc. one man has died in six people are missing after a super yacht sank off the coast of sicily. we hear from the reuters news agency and also from pa sources telling them that british tech entrepreneur mike lynch is reportedly among those missing. you can see a picture of him here. with me is bbc�*s business editor, simonjack. the bbc are not confirming this, simon, but tell us about that. mike l nch is a simon, but tell us about that. mike lynch is a giant _ simon, but tell us about that. mike lynch is a giant of— simon, but tell us about that. mike lynch is a giant of the _ simon, but tell us about that. m age: lynch is a giant of the uk technology scene. he was often described as the bill gates of the
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uk. not a perfect analogy but he was huge and is huge in the technology industry. he founded a company called autonomy, a precursor to artificial intelligence. it was much sought after. it was bought by us tech giant hewlett—packard forjust over $11 billion. it was a problematic acquisition because within a year, they had written down the value of that investment, saying it was worth 90% less than they paid. he was accused of artificially inflating the value of the company. the us authorities persisted and eventually he was extradited to the us after a decade of toing and froing. it was finally agreed by priti patel. he was sent over there,
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put under house arrest and started his trial in march 2024. injune, he was dramatically exonerated of all charges and let go as a free man, having had a decade of these proceedings hanging over him. he spoke to the bbc and said it was an amazing moment. iwas spoke to the bbc and said it was an amazing moment. i was stepping between two universes. 0ne amazing moment. i was stepping between two universes. one moment, i could have gone to jail, the next i was set free. you said to the bbc, i just want to get back to what i enjoy most, which is innovating. we haven't had the story confirmed yet. incredibly shocking for a man who had turned the page in his life. 0bviously huge questions about this and a very shocking story, but someone who had been through over a decade having a cloud hanging over him, was probably enjoying a bit of his freedom, and was a very rich man. he made about £500 million from the acquisition of autonomy. a lot of questions still to be answered. he resisted the extradition to the us for years and was very critical
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of the british government for allowing it to happen. he said the process itself is far too easy in cases like mine.— process itself is far too easy in cases like mine. yes, he did say that. it should _ cases like mine. yes, he did say that. it should be _ cases like mine. yes, he did say that. it should be said _ cases like mine. yes, he did say that. it should be said that - cases like mine. yes, he did say| that. it should be said that some cases like mine. yes, he did say i that. it should be said that some of his colleagues, in particular the chief financial officer of the company he founded, was convicted in the us and sentenced to five years in prison. when he finally got to court, thejury found him not guilty on all charges. he is, was looking forward to a brand—new life without this cloud hanging over him. as i say, we don't know the details yet and we don't know and can't confirm what has actually happened. if the worst fears are true, it's an incredible tragedy for someone who was beginning to start a new life and was considered, if you like, the godfather of british technology. some of the money he made from the original acquisition he put into other companies which became big, such as dark trace, now listed on the london stock exchange. he was
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seen as a godfather, as i say, of technology. this is an astonishing story at a time when he has been through this very traumatic decade and a bit. 50. through this very traumatic decade and a bit. , . , through this very traumatic decade and a bit. , ., , . and a bit. so, yeah, we will see. we don't have — and a bit. so, yeah, we will see. we don't have confirmation. _ and a bit. so, yeah, we will see. we don't have confirmation. simon, - don't have confirmation. simon, thank you so much for that. as soon as we have more details from sicily or anything new to bring you, we will update you. stay with us on bbc news. we will also take you to chicago, where kamala harris has arrived at the democratic national convention, where she will be confirmed formally as the party's presidential candidate.
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the convention later. this is the scene at the venue, where security is tight ahead of the four—day event. early in the morning, not much activity there, but it will certainly be the focus for many in the us over the next four days, a huge event that is televised and watched by many. emma vardy is there for us, who has been out and about and sent us this report. leaning out of a 94th floor, this city of skyscrapers is a dramatic sight. now thousands are descending on chicago for the convention. this is an amazingly important and unprecedented thing that's going on. it will affect how americans will vote in november. to us, this is a really important election. when you stand for freedom, whether it be to make decisions about your own body or love who you love, you fight for those things. there's been a surge of excitement for the democrats' new presidential candidate sincejoe biden withdrew over concerns about his age. kamala harris has had a meteoric rise from joe biden�*s running mate, to being the democratic nominee, to now leading in the polls
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against donald trump, and she's done it all in less than a month. now the stage is set for the party to rally behind her, with former presidents barack 0bama and bill clinton among the big names who will speak over the next four days. expect plenty of razzmatazz as the democrats try to keep this new feel—good factor going. there's thousands of balloons up there waiting to rain down on this arena, for starters. but good vibes alone may not be enough, because there's an appetite from democrats now for kamala harris to use this podium to put more flesh on the bones of what she really stands for. 0utside, chicago's braced for big protests over the war in gaza, one of several key issues kamala harris has yet to set out her stance on in detail. and come and take a look behind the scenes, because this is also a massive broadcasting operation for the american networks, which the democrats would like to become must—watch tv. in the swing state of pennsylvania at the weekend, donald trump attacked his rival. i'm better looking than she is.
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in her speech yesterday, kamala went full communist. you heard that — she went full communist. she wants to destroy our country. it's in the battleground states where the race really gets dirty. in wisconsin, a demolition derby gave people something to cheer for. it's voters here that kamala harris will have to win over. i like her. but i don't know if she's strong enough. i would consider myself republican. i don't know if trump is the exact lanswer for that party, but i surel like his, er, his viewpoints. he did things, you know. do you think kamala harris has got him rattled? i think, uh, no. i think he has her rattled. in a race that's been upended in recent weeks, the two new opponents are only just getting their horns locked. emma vardy, bbc news. earlier, i spoke to our senior north america correspondentjohn sudworth
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about what we can expect from the convention. there is no doubt that this is a pivotal moment in a pivotal election campaign. as you say, in the next few hours, the democratic national convention is due to begin here in the united centre behind me, home of the united centre behind me, home of the chicago bulls baseball team, where kamala harris is expected to receive the kind of champion's welcome fitting for an iconic sporting venue. it comes after some of the most unctuous weeks in us politics. joe biden�*s remarkable decision to step back from the contest at the 11th hour. donald trump surviving the assassination attempt. and the polls have swung wildly, but the democrats now believe that they have the momentum. kamala harris is enjoying this kind of honeymoon period, but as you say, she is still, despite having been
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vice president for almost four years, largely an unknown quantity, and herjob here today and over the next few days will be to talk over the heads of the convention and try to connect with the country as a whole. democrats will hope she is able to build on the momentum, but there are some challenges. republicans perceive weaknesses in some of her record, what they try to class as extreme liberal positions that she has made in years gone by. and challenges within the democrat base as well. we expect to see thousands of protesters on the streets of chicago today and on thursday in large—scale demonstrations, people who would normally be very at home in the democratic party but who are deeply concerned overjoe biden�*s staunch support for israel, and they want to see kamala harris taking a much tougher line over the war in gaza and the casualties caused there.
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back to the live pictures from sicily that we are getting, because a search and rescue operation is still under way after a luxury superyacht sank off the coast of sicily. it happened at about 4:30am local time. we know one person has been confirmed dead. six people are still missing, and amongst those reportedly missing is the british tech entrepreneur mike lynch will stop the bbc is unable to confirm at the moment, but sources speaking to the moment, but sources speaking to the reuters news agency have said that british tech entrepreneur mike lynch is amongst those missing. the italian coastguard is there, leading the search. we have seen divers and helicopters, still scouring the area, but they have already located the wreck at a depth of about 50 metres, about 164 feet below the water's surface. the captain of a nearby boat has been telling news crews that he managed to rescue 15 people with a life draft. more
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coming up. stay with us. good afternoon. it will feel very much like autumn has arrived at times this week, unseasonably windy, particularly blustery on irish sea coast, gusts up to 50 mph at times through the week. more heavy rain to come in the forecast, especially for the north and west. some are is not completely lost. some sunny spells, but for most of us temperatures will dip throughout the week. low pressure is certainly dominant, out to the north and west, coming towards us over the next couple of days. this afternoon, heavy rain across northern ireland and western scotland, with heavy, thundery showers approaching west wales on the far south—west of england. plenty of cloud around the of this rain, but still sunshine hanging on for east anglia and south—east england, some sunshine hazy at
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times, a curious colour to the sky without wildfire smoke still in the atmosphere. temperatures in the mid 20s where we see the best some sunshine. the winds will ease tonight, clearspells sunshine. the winds will ease tonight, clear spells developing in central areas. watch out for the super moon that should be visible for some. a mild start to the day tomorrow. a lot warmer tonight than last night. particularly towards the east, it will feel quite muggy. we still have that legacy of cloud and outbreaks of rain into tomorrow morning, but that clears further east. a day of sunshine and showers. most of the showers towards the north and west, where the winds will pick up yet again, particularly across western scotland. some showers could have a rumble or two of thunder. dry further south and east, but a fresh feel to things across the board, 14—23 c. more rain on wednesday. again, it is most likely out across northern ireland, particularly for western areas of scotland, with strong gusty winds
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live from new york at the opening bell, this is business today. caution on wall street — markets open subdued with investors focussed onjackson hole. plus a record offer — canadian buyers are circling the japanese retail giant 7—eleven. and taxing the super rich — campaigners say that spain has the right answer to wealth inequality. welcome to business today, live from new york. i'm michelle fleury. where us markets are muted at the open at the start of a big week. the democratic national convention starts today in chicago. wall street also has its eyes on another major event — federal reserve chairjerome powell is due to address a gathering of central bankers this friday at a symposium injackson hole.
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