International tensions and domestic news

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK Campus life is full of compromises, tiny dorms, zero closet space. But with Home Sents, you can overpack stylish bedding, storage and decor without overspending Home Sems, the homeome of No compompromise, part of the Homegoods family When people turn to healthcare for weight loss, they're looking for real support. That's why more people are choosing orderlymeds. com Orderly Meds connects you with real doctors and access to proven GLP one medications, like sumag gllutide and terzepetide. No guessing, just a more supportive experience. And all shipped directly to your door in discrete packaging. Do your research. Ask questions. Th then visit orderly meds dot com slash podcast for an exclusive offer. That's orderly Meds dot com slash podcast. Individual results may vary not medical advice, eligibility required you cp for details I'm Charles Carroll, and on Friday the nineteenth of june, these are the main news stories from Radio four. This now is the change moment. We have an opportunity to turn the tide, to make people feel hope again. He's back. If there is a contest, just to be clear with you, then yes I will run. I will stand, and I've said repeatedly, I'm not going to walk away from that. He's staying for now. This weekend, the focus switches to Labour M pes from the cabinet down Do they manage to nudge to elbow se Kest armor towards the door? After Andy Burnham's resounding success in the Makerfield by election, attention turns to what happens next at Westminster. The Transport Secretary has told Seakir Starmer to set out a timetable to leave office Also this evening, Hezbollah and Israel declare a ceasefire under pressure to keep the Iran deal on track. There's praise for a woman who rescued a three year old boy who'd been thrown into a crocodile enclosure For her to get into there that quickly and save the child really is just a remarkable act of bravery. And we're going to beat Morocco. I can feel it. We've got a chance. It's going to be really tough Scotland prepare for the next World Cup match tonight in Boston Andy Burnham has promised to lay out a new path for Britain after his overwhelming victory in the Makerfield by election Speculation is swirling around Westminster that he'll now challenge Sekir Starmer for the Labour leadership Alexer has warned labor against turning on itself, but this afternoon, the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander spoke to him and suggested that he set out a timetable to leave office. She's understood to have told him that an orderly transition would be in the best interests of the country Our political correspondent, Nick Erdley, reports on a day that started with the former mayor of Greater Manchester being declared the winner of a fiercely contested election In the end, it wasn't even close Andy Burnham won fifty five percent of the vote, beating reform comfortably just weeks after Nigel Farage's party won here in the local elections Mrter Burnham can now argue he can take the fight to Labour's opponents and beat them Speaking at a rally of supporters in his new constituency, Mrter Burnham said he offered a message of change. It is our last chance to change, but we're going to take it, aren't we? We are going to take that opportunity and we are going to lay out a new path for Britain. Andy Burnham has not launched an immediate formal challenge to the Prime Minister Instead, his supporters say the Prime Minister should be given space to assess the situation He comes to a realization in the next few days that the game is up The former transrport seecretary, Louise Hagig, We want this to be as managed and controlled as possible. I hope that Andy and the Prime Minister can speak over the coming days. We want to avoid a leadership contest if possible, and we hope that we can agree a way forward. In a conversation with Sir Kir earlier today, the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander suggested he set out a timetable to leave office A spokesperson from Ms Alexander said they wouldn't reveal what happened in a private conversation But the Prime Minister is showing no signs he wants to go anywhere Secure Starmer warned labour activists against plunging the country into chaos by turning on each other. He congratulated Mr. Burnham on his victory, but also insisted he would fight any leadership contest. There ist one at the moment But if there is a contest, just to be clear with you, then yes I will run. I will stand, and I've said repeatedly, I'm not going to walk away from that. If the Prime Minister doesn't change his mind or if he isn't forced to buy his cabinet, then a leadership contest looks all but inevitable The former Health Secretary West Streeting has said he would stand, although his allies have suggested he may also be open to talks mister Burnham supporters want to avoid a contest, but if one happens, they hope he could be in number ten By the autumn In the by election, mister Burnham received fifty five percent of the vote share, Reform UK's Rob Kenyan came second with thirty five percent, and Restore Britain's Rebecca Lee Shepherard came third with seven percent. Of the seventy seven thousand people eligible to vote, fifty nine percent turned out. In his victory speech, Andy Burnham said the results could be the turning point for politics, and he thanked the people of Makerfield for electing him Our reporter Rowan Bridge has been speaking to voters there and examining his record as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Andy Burnham ran this as a personal campaign. Labour wasn't even mentioned on most of his posters. That approach has paid off handsomely. His vote share was ten percentage points higher than Labour achieved in the last general election. Jemma Crinneigan voted for mister Burnham. We know him. I think everyone's probably had some interaction with Andy at some point in their life and it's always a positive one. He cares about people and that's what we voted for After Andy Burnham's success, questions turn to what happens next There'll be an election for the Greater Manchester Mayor Tty Labour will have to choose a candidate, but no politician in the region has the profile of Mr. Burnham And reform will now be eyeing up their chances. It also raises questions as to what sort of Prime Minister Andy Burnham could be As Mayor, he described his political and economic philosophy as Manchesterism. But one is that John Tong is a professor of politics at Liverpool University. Magrism is a combination of private sector investment, so it's capitalism social provision. So Andy Burnham spends much of his day attracting private sector investment into Greater Manchester. but he also engages in local state control, most notably brringing public transport under his own control. At a national level, mister Burnham has advocated bringing water back under stronger public control, pointing to his work reregulating Manchester's bus fares and routes. He's also calling for more council houses to be built. Andy Burnham had a successful runner's mayare portraying himself as a political outsider Now he's back at Westminster. That image becomes harder to maintain Expectations are high from voters and fellow MPs. It will be up to Mrter Burnham to deliver Andy Burnham served in the cabinets of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Jeremy Corbyn before leaving Westminster to become mayayor of Greater Manchester Our political correspondent, Ben Wright has been looking at his previous experience and what it might tell us about his future intentions. The Stone Rose's loving MP for Makerfield burnished an ordinary bloke image during his nine years away from Westminster, a t shirt wearing champion of the North, a critic of politics down south. But as Andy Burnham steams back to Westminster with number ten in his sights, it's worth remembering it's a place he knows well. He first worked as a labour advisor in his twenties before baggking a seat of his own He was an impeccably new labour minister in the Governments of Blair And Brown, number two at the Treasury, Culture seecretary, then health seecretary. Mr. Burnham was ambitious too, first standing for the Labour leadership in twenty ten. He finished fourth But he tried again, five years later. And you werere having yeah another crack at the leadership Yeah last time. I be doing it again. For me this is, you know It's now or never right or not, as it turned out. But Andy Burnham's politics shifted with the party. With Jeremy Corbyn in charge, he briefly had a shadow cabinet job before swapping Westminster for the new Greatam Manchester Mayoralty in twenty seventeen There were policy successes, bringing the buses under public control, but failures too, like the scrapping of a planned clean air zone for Greater Manchester mister Burnham wants more council houses built and greater devolution to local leaders But during the Makerfield campaign, he's also had to clarify various policy positions. Last year, he said he wanted to see Britain back in the EU during his lifetime. Now he's promised not to rerun Brexit arguments. He talks about giving some recompense to the so called wasaspie women, later saying that did not mean extra compensation Neil Lawson runs the centre lefte campaign group Comass and is close to Andy Burnham. He didn't box himself in at all on proportional representation. and that is a big issue for the country. Unless we change our democratic system, we are never going to change our economy. short term adversarial, centralised around London and the treasury. He's going to blow all of that stuff open. If he does make it to number ten, Andy Burnham promises a new vision It's not just newew vibes but on the big issues, he would face the same tough choices as the man He wants to replace ur deputy economics editor Darhini David has been assessing what we know about Andy Burnham's plans for the economy and whether they include more spending and higher taxes. Andy Burnham and S Kir Starmer share a common goal to put more money in pockets. Many details of Mr. Burnham's plans remain elusive, but he suggested devolving power from London and by hiring economic heavyweights to advise on his plans, aims to signal a more dynamic approach. They include the former Treasury Minister Laord O'Neill, who worked on George Osborne's Northern powerhouse. The cleareest thing to me, which is why I think there's an element of excitement for those of us that have been involved since the early days of the devolution revolution, as George Osborne would have described it once I think that is what Andy is genuinely passionate about, partly because of the Cas' San And I think if he were to become leader, there would be really big change, positive change, almost to a constitutional nature about devolution, which I'm very strong supporter of. Other ambitions such as lowering bills through more control of utilities and reducing the burden of student loans suggest a bigger and more costly roll for the state But his ambitions may be constrained by fragile public finances. Today we learnt that the government borrowed twenty three billion pounds in May, almost a third more than in May last year. Andy Burnham has said he'll stick to the government's existing rules on borrowing to keep the markets calm and curb interest payments To underscore that intent, his new lineup of advisors includes Richard Hughes, formerly head of the Office for Budget Responsibility But to make his numbers add up moreore tax rises may loom He also wants to draw on his experience in Manchester But a regional approach doesn't always translate intonational success Despite the talk of a labour leadership contest, it's still not certain that one will happen, as Joe Pike reports from Westminster Saky Stama's grip on power seems to be weaker than ever He has claimed he will fight any leadership challenge, but privately, even some of his closest supporters are not so sure Allies of both Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have told the BBC there are no plans for either to make public appearances or give media interviews this weekend They seem keen to give the Prime Minister the time and space to consult his closest ministers and aides and decide on his future. Saka could be true to his word and attempt to stay, but there are challenges ahead Not least, the weekly meeting of his restestive cabinet on Tuesday and the bare pit of the comments at Prime Minister'sQestions on Wednesday Labour MPs disagree on whether there should be a contest or coronation Prospective PM would need the backing of eighty one MPs to mount a challenge. Sakkir would automatically be a contender if he wanted and party members would get to make the final choice. But while some in labour believe the scrutiny of a contest is necessary, others would rather avoid what they argue could be a messy, even divisive, months long race If there is to be a coronation, today's by election triumph surely means it will be the manand dub the King of the North who will get to wear the crown The reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the result in Makerfield as disappointing for his party. political correspondent, Damiian Gramaticus reports Nigel Farraage's surprisingly frank assessment was that this was an emphatic win for Andy Burnham Reform UK dominated in the council elections in the area just six weeks ago. In this by election, it took thirty five percent of the vote up slightly from what it achieved in Makerfield in the general election, but it was still soundly beaten One worry for reform is that its new challenger on the right, Rore Britain came third on seven percent Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tyice said the lesson was that voters who wanted to be sure of defeating left leaning parties had to unite. and it was now clear reform, not the Conservatives or Rore, was the main party on the right Anybody who does not want a hard socialist government destroying our economy and jobs and making people poorer needs to unify around a reform government. That's the reality. However, Mr Burnham secured comfortably more votes than the combined total achieved by Reform UK and Restore Britain Indeed, more than all the other candidates put together. He was able to appeal to a diverse group of voters, including traditional labour supporters, those who voted labour at the last election but have been disappointed in Sakir Stahmer, and those who prepared to vote tactically to defeat reform UK Conseratives the greens and liberal Democrats all saw their vote shares shrivel It's why the prospect of a Burnham leadership may appeal to many Labour MPs who haveve seen the rise of reform worry about how to counter that in a general election The Conservative leader, Kemmy Baadenock traveled to Northeast Scotland to celebrate her party's by election victory in Aberdeen South Theory candidate, Douglas Lumdon, gained the seat from the Scottish National Party, but the SNP held the seat of our Broth and braghty Fairy Both by elections were being held because the sitting MPs were elected to the Scottish Parliament last month Our Scotland editor, James Cook, reports from Aberdeen The last time the Conservatives won a Westminster by election in Scotland, Edward Heath was Prime Minister, and the world was in the midst of an oil supply crisis fififty three years later, energy policy is again dominating discussion in Northeast Scotland with concern about North Sea job losses helping to propel the Tories to victory in Aberdeen South The result is a personal triumph for the party leader Kemmy Baedenoch, who repeatedly campaigned in the seat and returned today to celebrate. has sent a message to the Labour Government and to the SMP that we will not be ignored. Aberdeen will not be ignored. The sector will not be ignored. Energy security is national security. And what is happening right now as we kill the oil and gas sector is that we are killing our energy security att a time when the government has lost a defense secretary, a cabinet minister, a minister for the Armed Forces Further down the North Sea cooast, it was a different story in our Both and Broughty Ferry. The Scottish National Party's Lara Byrd won there comfortably, despite her party being dogged by questions about the crimes of its former Chief executive, Peter Murle The SNP leader and First Minister John Swweeninney was asked if the case had made a difference in the by elections. I don't think it did because here in our Broth and Brothy Ferry, the SNP share the vote increased and a majority increased so I don't think had any effect whatsoever. There may be more questions about the case next week when Peter Murll is due to be sentenced for embezling more than four hundred thousand pounds from the SNP The expression a week is a long time in politics is often overused, but as our political editor Chris Mason reports, It applies perfectly for a week that has just gone and is likely to be equally appropriate for the week to come In my job I get a ringside seat in the court of power, bearing witness to the draining of power from some and it's accumulation for others Quite a bit of both in recent years and this week I have seen both again My week began as part of the reporter pack accompanying Sakir Starmer to the G seven summit in the French Alps My weeknded on the turf of Ashton Town Football Club at Andy Burnham's Victory rally Amid a gathering of many of the world's most powerful, the Prime Mister's authority was already shrilling in Ashton in Makerfield a bullish confidence from team Burnham This weekend, the focus switches to Labour MPs from the cabinet down Do they manage to nudge to elbow sekia araror towards the door does West Streeting conclude Mr. Burnham is an unstoppable force And when might Andy Bernham want to become Prime Minister, ideally Some of his supporters say, as soon as possible, others privately concede he needs time to better prepare A final thought tonight, when I find myself being asked who will be Prime Minister in a fortnite can't give a definitive answer. You know we are in one of those all too familiar moments of recent years. fluidity. Uncertainty You're listening to the six o'clock newews on BBC Radio for. The main news so far, the Transport Secretary urges Secure Starmer to hand over power after Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by election A Fragile ceasefire begins between Israel and Hezbollah and still to come Donald Trump's comments are completely made up I'm frankly pulled. Italy hits back after President Trump's claims that its prime mininister begged him for a photo Campus life is full of compromises, tiny dorms, zero closet space. But with Home Sents, you can overpack stylish beddings, storage, and decor without overspending. Home Sems, the home of No compompromise, part of the Homegoods family When people turn to telehealth for weight loss, they're looking for real support. That's why more people are choosing orderlymeds. com. Orderly Meds connect you with real doctors and access to proven GLP one medications like semaglutide and Tzeppttide. No guessing, just a more supportive experience, and all shipped directly to your door in discreet packaging. Do your research. ask questions. then visit orderlymeds dot com slash podcast for an exclusive offer And That's orderly Meds. com slash podcast. Individual results may vary on medical advice, eligibility required to see site for details Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire after an escalation in fighting in Lebanon threatened to derail talks between the United States and Iran Lebanese officials say that forty seven people were killed and nearly a hundred others wounded in Israeli airstrikes yesterday and last night Israel said that it was retaliating for the killing of four of its soldiers by Hezbollah Our Middle East correspondent Hugo Vesega has spent the day in the town of Nabata in South Lebanon here for about ten minutes and there's been a wave of very intense Israeli airirstrikes we've just heard Another one. And we can see the plumes of smoke rising from the locations that have been hit No There is also The son of an Israeli drone flying in the distance And Also the sound of more Israeli fighter jets in the sky In the south, the past twenty four hours has been one of the most intense periods of Israeli airirstrikes. The bombing was in response to the killing of four Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon Israel said he carried out more than one hundred and fifty strikes on what he described as Hezbollah targets. Hussein Faki is the chief of the civil defefence aggency in Abateia. There were supposed to be a ceasefire and many people had returned to their homes. This contributed to the increase of casualties Unfortunately, we haven't been able to reach everyone because of the intensity of the athirstrikes on residential areas Recent promises of peace in Lebanon have often ended in more war. There's now a new ceasefire But a lasting truce remains elillusive. Israel says it has no intention of pulling its troops out of Lebanon. saying he wants to create a security zone along the border free of Hezbollah. The group says it will abide by the deal if it is respected by Israel Delegations from Washington and Tehran were due to halt negotiations in Switzerland today to start discussing some of the most difficult issues, including Iran's nuclear program, but the meeting was postponed No official explanation was given, but it's understood the Iranians refused to show up because Israel was continuing to attack their ally Hezbollah Chief international correspondent Last to set has just returned from Switzerland. and shares her thoughts on the latest developments This rapid Israel Hezbollah ceasefire, however fragile, underlines just how much President Trump and his team want their new deal with Iran to hold. It also highlights again, how much sway they hold over Israeli policy desespite a chus of criticism in Israel And a series of defiant statements from Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ministers, they have had to respond and fast to Washington's wishes Hisbanah has agreed to hold fire too. Iran also wants this deal to stick But Tehran is also showing yet again that it will not budge on one of its most important red lines Lebanon must be part of this ceasefire. And now its apparent unwillingness to rush to Switzerland underlines it also wants to set its own pace in this process. It's only day two of the sixty day window agreed in the new framework to resolve the biggest of issues, including the shape of Iran's nuclear program a deadline which will almost certainly have to be extended. Italy's foreign minister has cancelled a visit to the United States on Sunday because of President Trump's comments that appeared to mock the Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Mali. mister Trump told Italian journalists that she had begged to have her photograph taken with him at the G seven summit in France this week, and he agreed only because he felt sorry for her Here's our diplomatic correspondent Jam Landale There was a time Georgia Maloney was dubbed a Trump whisperer. A European leader who could sweet talk the US president with Italian charm and right wing steel it no more. mister Trump claimed on Italian TV their prrime mininister had begged him for a photograph at the G seven summit this week. He agreed he said because he felt sorry for her It infuriated Ms Maloney, who rushed onto social media. So some things deserve an immediate reply. Donald Trump's comments are completely made up. I'm frankly appalled, but he needs to bear one thing in mind. I never beg and nor does Italy? She said she didn't know why the president behaved this way with allies. It was a pity he was not the same to his enemies with whom he was far more accommodating Italy's foreign minister cancellled a trip to the U. S in protest This is more than a spat. It represents a trend Where once European allies accommodated Mr. Trump, now they're ready to challenge. For example, some refuseed to allow US bombers to use their air bases to attack Iran Diplomats say European leaders have shown more resolve since the U.S. threatened Greenland earlier this year They may also be reflecting the mood of European voters ahead of upcoming elections across the continent Either way, Donald Trump is losing friends and not just in the Middle East The BBC understands that a three year old boy, who was rescued from a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire was attacked by at least one of the reptiles A thirty year old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been released on bail The child remains in a critical but stable condition. Our correspondent Joe Black sent this report Johnson's, the family run farm and zoo near Huntingon, reopened to visitors today with a media presence outside, it wasn't business as usual The investigation into why a three year old boy ended up in the crocodile enclosure is still ongoing Police say a thirty year old white British man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder is unfit for interview and has been bailed He is understood to have learning disabilities and had carers with him The young boy who was seriously injured remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. The BBC understands he was attacked by at least one crocodile and the owner of Johnson's Andy Johnson confirmed that his wife had gone into the enclosure to help Chris Newman is the director of the National Center for Reptile Welfare and is a close friend of the Johnson family Just to do that is just a remarkable act of bravery. You don't want to be bitten by a crocodile of any size. so taking that action and particularly because there could have been multiple crocodiles in there. is just an extraordinary act of bravery and you know, I think she should be all thankful for what she did. She certainly would have assisted that child immensely. The outcome may well have been very different if she wasn't there The family run farm and zoo business has been here in this part of Cambridghire for decades. tractions include farm animals, lions, a tiger, and crocodiles. In a statement, the Johnsons said the tropical house which houses the crocodiles still remains closed and said their thoughts and prayers were with the boy and his family. Two men have been jailed for their involvement in arson attacks, targeting property and a car connected to Secure Starmer Roman Lavorinovich, whose Ukrainian was sentenced to seven years for carrying out the attacks, Stanislavkap Yk Uian Ukrainian born Romanian national was jailed for two years for encouraging him and planning to help with payment. The BBC has previously revealed the attacks were ordered on behalf of Russia The judge at the Old Bailey, Mr. Justice Garum, said Lavrinovich had been used as a pawn by a Russian speaking man referred to as EL You were acting on the instructions of EL But you were happy to do whatever he wanted Regardless of who he was Who you worked for or what his motivation was You were to EL A useful idiot who could be manipulated to EL's advantage The woman has been jailed for twelve years for killing her five year old stepdaughter in nineteen seventy eight by forcing her into a scoaling hot bath Janice Nicks, who' sixty seven was convicted of the manslaughter of Andrea Bernard in Thaornton Heath in South London Isiselworth Crown Court was told Andrea's death had been treated as an accident until her brother contacted police four years ago The government is planning to curb the practice of gazumping with a major overhaul of the home buying system in England and Wales. Here's Kevin Peache We're consulting on the best way of tackling the problems of gazumping in the interests of responsible home buyers and sellers So said the Labour manifesto of nineteen ninety seven. Nearly thirty years on, no solution has been found. Home information packs came and went. Meanwhile, Scotland operated its own system where the issue hardly exists Now planned reforms for England and Wales are again promising a faster, fairer and more secure system. There will be a financial penalty for anyone breaking a conditional contract between buyers and sellers such a move requires legislation, and ministers have only promised that by the end of the current Parliament in twenty twenty nine Plans also include more upfront information for property buyers and a slicker digital system. They've been broadly welcomed across the housing sector if implemented carefully. Yet while the buying and selling process could speed up, some point to the risk of delay in getting properties onto the market in the first place. Scotland could make history at the World Cup tonight by securing a place in the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time They'll face Morocco in their second game in Boston Chris McClin is there Realistically, Scotland had to win their first match against Haiti to give themselves a chance Now they go into their next two games knowing one more point would be enough to make history. Eight attempts they have never progressed beyond the group stages of the World Cup The squad seemed relaxed and confident but well aware of just how good tonight's opponents are