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[00:00:00] to us. MUSIC
[00:00:13] Live from London. This is BBC
[00:00:16] News. More scrutiny on Fifa president
[00:00:18] president Gianni Infantino as allegations allegations emerge in the Daily Telegraph
[00:00:21] Telegraph that a woman he had an an alleged relationship with was
[00:00:24] was given a six figure severance severance payment while he was general
[00:00:28] general secretary of Uefa. Fifa says
[00:00:29] says the story is categorically untrue.
[00:00:32] untrue. At least three people, including including a child, have been killed
[00:00:36] killed in overnight Russian attacks attacks near the Ukrainian capital
[00:00:39] capital Kyiv. The attacks come as as President Zelensky is visiting
[00:00:43] visiting Serbia, a traditional ally ally of Russia, as he seeks to bolster
[00:00:47] bolster support for Ukraine's war
[00:00:48] war effort. And it's the biggest biggest celebration of Irish music
[00:00:52] music and culture in the world. Belfast Belfast hosts the Fleadh Festival
[00:00:56] Festival for the first time. Welcome
[00:01:08] Welcome to BBC News. I'm Luxmy Gopal.
[00:01:10] Gopal. There's more pressure on Fifa Fifa president Gianni Infantino after
[00:01:14] after the Daily Telegraph newspaper newspaper reported claims that his
[00:01:17] his alleged lover was given a severance severance payment by Uefa when he
[00:01:21] he was their general secretary. European European football's governing body
[00:01:24] body has confirmed payment was made
[00:01:26] made to the woman. The BBC has contacted
[00:01:28] contacted Fifa and Mr Infantino for for comment. But the Fifa boss told
[00:01:32] told the paper that he strongly denies
[00:01:34] denies what he calls these categorically categorically untrue allegations.
[00:01:37] allegations. Well, Mike Bushell from from the BBC Sports Centre has been been giving me the background to
[00:01:41] to the allegations against Mr Infantino.
[00:01:44] Infantino. The story first emerged emerged in the Daily Telegraph and
[00:01:47] and relates back to a time when the the now Fifa president, Gianni Infantino,
[00:01:51] Infantino, was the Secretary General General of Uefa a time from 2009
[00:01:55] 2009 to 2016, and the allegations allegations are that a woman who
[00:01:58] who he was allegedly in a relationship relationship with was given this
[00:02:01] this six figure severance payment
[00:02:03] payment by Uefa, a claim Fifa have have categorically denied. I'll come
[00:02:07] come to exactly what Fifa have reportedly reportedly said shortly, but first,
[00:02:10] first, Uefa have issued a statement statement and this is it seen by
[00:02:14] by the BBC. They say we are aware aware of the allegations and can
[00:02:18] can confirm a departure payment was was made to the individual in question,
[00:02:22] question, coupled with the payment payment of fees for an MBA course
[00:02:25] course at a local business school, school, they go on to say the payment
[00:02:28] payment was in line with the regulations
[00:02:30] regulations that existed for departing
[00:02:33] departing staff at the time, such
[00:02:35] such regulations have been tightened tightened since 2016 and the current current staff regulations, which
[00:02:39] which apply to all Uefa employees
[00:02:41] employees at whatever level, reflect
[00:02:44] reflect those found in a modern high
[00:02:46] high profile organisation. So Fifa, Fifa, as you were mentioning, have have been approached by the BBC for
[00:02:50] for comment. But in a statement given given to The Telegraph, they say
[00:02:54] say that Fifa president Gianni Infantino
[00:02:56] Infantino strongly denies these allegations. allegations. They are categorically
[00:02:58] categorically untrue. They add no
[00:03:01] no employee at Fifa or Uefa has ever
[00:03:03] ever raised a complaint regarding regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour
[00:03:07] behaviour because there was never never an incident where he was involved. involved. Of course, this comes at
[00:03:11] at a time when the President's main main concern has been trying to win
[00:03:14] win back support. After the backlash backlash to his now shelved proposal
[00:03:18] proposal to sell off a stake in the
[00:03:20] the World Cup. Despite heavy criticism
[00:03:22] criticism from Uefa. He has had the the backing from other nations, including
[00:03:25] including where he is there in these these pictures in Colombia, as the
[00:03:28] the head of the South American Confederation
[00:03:31] Confederation said we stand by Gianni.
[00:03:35] Gianni. BBC sport's Mike Bushell Bushell there. Well, as Mike was
[00:03:38] was mentioning, Gianni Infantino Infantino is in Colombia where he's
[00:03:41] he's attended the inauguration of of the new president and the BBC
[00:03:44] BBC caught up with him as he was was attending a meeting with the
[00:03:47] the head of South America's Football
[00:03:48] Football Confederation as Ione Wells
[00:03:51] Wells reports the events of the inauguration inauguration of. Wrapped up here
[00:03:54] here in Cali, in the south of Colombia Colombia and unsurprisingly Janiv
[00:03:58] Janiv Infantino did not answer any any of the questions that I tried
[00:04:01] tried to pose to him when I saw him
[00:04:04] him entering and leaving that event event where he was attending the
[00:04:06] the inauguration of Colombia's new
[00:04:08] new president, Abelardo de la Espriella
[00:04:11] Espriella Infantino. Will you resign resign after your plan to sell off
[00:04:15] off part of Fifa failed? A word for
[00:04:17] for BBC News. What is your response response to Europe? Who say they'll
[00:04:21] they'll boycott the World Cup? Infantino. Infantino. I asked him whether he
[00:04:24] he would resign given his plan to to sell off parts of Fifa failed.
[00:04:26] failed. I asked him what his response response was to Europe, saying it
[00:04:29] it could boycott the World Cup given
[00:04:33] given Uefa doesn't have faith in in his leadership. I asked him whether,
[00:04:36] whether, as countries like Jordan Jordan have claimed, he has been
[00:04:40] been financially blackmailing some some countries to support him and and whether in fact he is here in
[00:04:43] in South America to try to shore
[00:04:45] shore up support for his presidency. presidency. I think many will see
[00:04:49] see this visit of his as essentially essentially an attempt to try and
[00:04:51] and get more countries on his side
[00:04:54] side to try and get every single single vote he can from countries
[00:04:57] countries that might still support support him ahead of that crucial
[00:05:00] crucial election next year to determine
[00:05:03] determine the next Fifa president. president. I think some could say
[00:05:06] say that as a result, this trip has
[00:05:08] has been somewhat of a success in
[00:05:10] in that regard, given that he met
[00:05:12] met with not just grassroots football football associations but also with
[00:05:16] with the federation, the Colombian Colombian Football Federation and
[00:05:19] and also, crucially, the President President of Conmebol, which is the
[00:05:22] the governing body of football in
[00:05:24] in South America. The President spoke
[00:05:26] spoke to us afterwards and seemed
[00:05:28] seemed to suggest that Conmebol did
[00:05:31] did support Infantino continued to
[00:05:33] to support him and in fact, the only only question, the only answer that
[00:05:36] that I received from Infantino was
[00:05:38] was very simply in his words I love
[00:05:41] love Colombia. Gianni Infantino, Infantino, could you just give us
[00:05:44] us one answer for BBC News? What's
[00:05:46] What's your view? That being said,
[00:05:49] said, just because he may have the the support of some governing bodies
[00:05:52] bodies and figures here, this scandal scandal certainly hasn't gone away
[00:05:55] away and he will continue to face face these questions. I think wherever
[00:05:59] wherever he goes next, our correspondent correspondent Ione Wells there, let's
[00:06:03] let's turn to Ukraine now, where where Russia has carried out further
[00:06:06] further overnight attacks. At least least three people, including a child,
[00:06:09] child, were killed on the outskirts outskirts of Kyiv. Three more were
[00:06:13] were injured by falling debris damaged damaged apartment buildings and cars
[00:06:17] cars while a fire broke out at a a separate building. For its part,
[00:06:20] part, the Ukrainian military says
[00:06:22] says it struck two Russian oil refineries
[00:06:25] refineries overnight, causing fires fires at both. Meanwhile, Ukraine's
[00:06:28] Ukraine's president is making his his first official visit to Serbia Serbia today. It's one of the few
[00:06:32] few European countries to maintain maintain close ties with Russia,
[00:06:36] Russia, president Zelensky is discussing discussing economic and security
[00:06:39] security issues with his Serbian Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic
[00:06:42] Vucic at the presidential palace
[00:06:44] palace and Mr Vucic has repeatedly repeatedly refused to sanction Moscow
[00:06:47] Moscow following Russia's full-scale full-scale invasion of Ukraine in
[00:06:51] in 2022, but has also supplied non-military
[00:06:54] non-military aid to Kyiv. Mr Zelensky Zelensky spoke in the past hour alongside
[00:06:58] alongside his Serbian counterpart counterpart and addressed the impact impact that the overnight attacks
[00:07:01] attacks were having on Ukraine. It
[00:07:07] It is truly a horrific tragedy, the
[00:07:10] the tragedy of Russian aggression aggression against an independent
[00:07:13] independent Ukraine. My condolences condolences to all the families and
[00:07:17] and loved ones of the victims. 77
[00:07:20] 77 people have been injured across across the region's 12 regions came
[00:07:23] came under attack and in fact, almost
[00:07:25] almost every night and every day day now in the fifth year of this
[00:07:29] this war, we in Ukraine are forced
[00:07:31] forced to endure attacks like this.
[00:07:33] this. The majority of Russia's strikes strikes are directed against facilities
[00:07:36] facilities that are working to sustain sustain the lives of the people.
[00:07:40] people. In fact, we have virtually
[00:07:42] virtually no power plants left undamaged. undamaged. Many railway stations
[00:07:46] stations have been destroyed as well well as hospitals, universities and
[00:07:49] and ordinary civilian enterprises. enterprises. At a time of such a
[00:07:53] a war, we value and are deeply grateful
[00:07:56] grateful for all the support Ukraine
[00:07:59] Ukraine receives from other countries countries and other nations. And
[00:08:03] And of course, we are developing developing every format of co-operation
[00:08:05] co-operation that can give our people
[00:08:08] people our cities and our communities communities greater resilience and
[00:08:11] and greater ability to withstand withstand all the challenges of this
[00:08:15] this war. We're grateful that Serbia
[00:08:18] Serbia will provide a new package
[00:08:20] package of humanitarian assistance assistance to Ukraine, particularly
[00:08:23] particularly in the areas of health health care and energy. This is of
[00:08:27] of utmost importance to us. Thank
[00:08:29] Thank you, Mr President. So that
[00:08:33] that was President Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky speaking at that press conference
[00:08:37] conference alongside his Serbian Serbian counterpart. We'll get some
[00:08:39] some analysis on that soon from our
[00:08:41] our colleagues at BBC Serbia. But But now there's been a new development
[00:08:45] development in the investigation investigation into the murder of
[00:08:47] of the former MP Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe. Counter-Terrorism police
[00:08:50] police have reopened a probe into into an attempted burglary at an
[00:08:53] an address in London last year. Detectives
[00:08:56] Detectives say a line of inquiry inquiry has been identified which
[00:08:59] which may be relevant but wasn't wasn't pursued at the time. BBC News
[00:09:02] News understands that it relates relates to an incident at Nigel Farage's
[00:09:06] Farage's home, which he previously previously referred to as a lit incendiary
[00:09:09] incendiary device being pushed through through his letterbox. Thomas Magill
[00:09:13] Magill has more. Brutally murdered
[00:09:16] murdered in her own home. A month month ago today, Ann Widdecombe was
[00:09:20] was attacked minutes before she was was due to make a television appearance
[00:09:23] appearance less than two weeks after
[00:09:25] after her killing 28-year-old Joshua Joshua Kerry, from South Yorkshire,
[00:09:29] Yorkshire, was charged with her murder.
[00:09:32] murder. Now counter-terrorism police police who are leading the investigation
[00:09:35] investigation into what happened, happened, say they have reopened
[00:09:38] reopened inquiries into an attempted attempted burglary at a property
[00:09:41] property in the Greater London area
[00:09:43] area in April last year. The BBC
[00:09:47] BBC understands the property in question question is used by the reform UK
[00:09:51] UK leader Nigel Farage. He has previously
[00:09:54] previously referred to the incident incident as a lit incendiary device
[00:09:57] device being pushed through his letterbox.
[00:10:00] letterbox. This latest statement statement says following the reopening
[00:10:04] reopening of the attempted burglary
[00:10:07] burglary investigation, Counter-Terrorist Counter-Terrorist Policing London
[00:10:09] London identified a line of inquiry inquiry which was not identified
[00:10:13] identified and pursued by them at
[00:10:14] at the time, which may have been
[00:10:18] been relevant and there's a further further development. Counter-Terrorism Counter-Terrorism police based in
[00:10:22] in London have made a mandatory referral
[00:10:24] referral to the police watchdog, watchdog, the IOPC, after their handling
[00:10:28] handling of the initial investigation
[00:10:30] investigation last year. For now, now, it's unknown how the murder
[00:10:34] murder of Ann Widdecombe in Devon Devon may be linked to an attempted
[00:10:38] attempted burglary in London. Just
[00:10:39] Just one of the many questions yet
[00:10:42] yet to be answered. Thomas Magill,
[00:10:44] Magill, BBC News. Spain has brought
[00:10:47] brought in border controls for all all travellers arriving from Italy
[00:10:50] Italy amid a rare row between the the two EU and Nato member states
[00:10:54] states over the issue of immigration. immigration. Madrid's month long
[00:10:57] long suspension applies not just just to citizens of third countries
[00:11:01] countries arriving from Italy, but but also to Italians themselves.
[00:11:05] themselves. Spain was angered by by Italy's response to last week's
[00:11:07] week's sudden influx of tens of thousands thousands of would be migrants into
[00:11:11] into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, Ceuta, on Morocco's coast. You might
[00:11:15] might remember that Italy then promptly promptly imposed border restrictions
[00:11:18] restrictions on third country travellers travellers from Spain, which will
[00:11:21] will last at least until mid-August.
[00:11:25] mid-August. Well Emanuele Loperfido Loperfido is an MP with Italian Prime
[00:11:28] Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni's, Meloni's, Brothers of Italy party party and the secretary of the Foreign
[00:11:32] Foreign Affairs Committee in the
[00:11:33] the Italian Chamber of
[00:11:38] Deputies. Obviously, as the Prime Prime Minister said yesterday, that
[00:11:40] that our main target is to maintain, maintain, protect our border and
[00:11:43] and since we know that there are are additional threats coming from
[00:11:47] from Ceuta in the next days, we will
[00:11:50] will suspend the Schengen agreement. agreement. Until that date. Therefore,
[00:11:53] Therefore, our willingness to co-operate co-operate with Spain in order to
[00:11:56] to secure the European borders. And And if we if it is needed, we can
[00:12:00] can also co-operate to work together.
[00:12:03] together. But the reaction of Spain
[00:12:05] Spain was a bit unusual because what
[00:12:08] what Italy is controlling the non-EU
[00:12:11] non-EU citizens coming from Spain
[00:12:13] Spain into Italy, the Spanish decision
[00:12:16] decision is to control every single
[00:12:19] single Italian citizen and European
[00:12:21] European citizen going to Spain from from Italy. So that is a bit unusual
[00:12:25] unusual and I'm sure that with the the diplomatic dialogues we will
[00:12:28] will sort it out in order to maintain maintain the target of security,
[00:12:31] security, the border control, security
[00:12:33] security of Europe and a free travel
[00:12:36] travel around the Europe. Can I put put to you what came from Spain's
[00:12:40] Spain's government? They said that that Italy's introduction of checks
[00:12:43] checks was based on spurious arguments
[00:12:45] arguments that have no basis in fact fact because the migrants entering
[00:12:49] entering Ceuta had no way of entering
[00:12:51] entering the Schengen area. So Spain Spain is saying that Italy's introduction
[00:12:55] introduction of these checks in the
[00:12:56] the first place wasn't really founded. If we see that there
[00:13:02] founded. If we see that there is is no risk, Italy will be happier happier than Spain. But what we know
[00:13:06] know is that the intelligence are are saying that there are additional
[00:13:10] additional threats coming from Ceuta Ceuta and people going to Salta.
[00:13:13] Salta. They are not willing to stay stay in Ceuta, but they are willing
[00:13:16] willing to go to Spain and therefore therefore when they are in Spain,
[00:13:19] Spain, they are willing to go to to Europe. And we know that Spanish
[00:13:22] Spanish government in the recent
[00:13:23] recent months they already gave more
[00:13:27] more than 500 thousand regularisation regularisation of illegal migrants.
[00:13:30] migrants. So they are saying I've I've just got to just obviously give
[00:13:33] give their, you know, response or or their position on that Spanish
[00:13:37] Spanish Prime Minister has said that that Spain has managed to steadily
[00:13:40] steadily reduce irregular migration migration flows with a reduction
[00:13:42] reduction of more than 30% in irregular irregular arrivals. So that's what
[00:13:46] what they say on that point. But
[00:13:50] But going back to Schengen, a suspension suspension as soon as the risk will
[00:13:53] will be over, Italy will be more
[00:13:54] more than happy to suspend our decision
[00:13:58] decision and really allow free travel
[00:14:01] travel all around Europe. Italian
[00:14:03] Italian MP Emanuele Loperfido there
[00:14:05] there South Korea's Football Association Association has apologised over allegations
[00:14:09] allegations it provided sexual entertainment
[00:14:12] entertainment for foreign referees,
[00:14:14] referees, officiating, international international matches between 2011
[00:14:16] 2011 and 2012. Jiji Ahn BBC World
[00:14:18] World Service reporter told me more
[00:14:21] more about those allegations. They They concerned seven international international matches that were held
[00:14:24] held in South Korea during that time time were. Reports are saying up
[00:14:28] up to ten international referees referees were provided or solicited
[00:14:31] solicited with sexual services. Trips Trips to massage establishments and
[00:14:34] and that was all paid for by the the Korean Football Association.
[00:14:38] Association. Now there's no allegation allegation of match fixing or preference
[00:14:41] preference on terms of results. But But coincidentally, South Korea did
[00:14:44] did not actually win, actually won won all of their matches during that
[00:14:47] that time. And obviously it's raised raised a bigger question as to kind
[00:14:50] kind of standards and governance governance regarding South Korean Korean Football Association moving
[00:14:54] moving forwards. Why is this come come out all these years later and
[00:14:57] and how has the KFA responded? Yes.
[00:14:59] Yes. So these allegations, obviously obviously from 2011, more than a
[00:15:02] a decade ago, but actually a government government audit was only released
[00:15:05] released or reported on by South South Korean media this week. And
[00:15:08] And the KFA has responded on Facebook
[00:15:11] Facebook saying that they apologise apologise for any attention that's
[00:15:14] that's been brought to all these these controversies. Specifically, Specifically, they don't actually
[00:15:18] actually mention these latest allegations, allegations, but instead they said
[00:15:20] said moving forward, they're going
[00:15:22] going to try and promise greater greater governance, greater transparency
[00:15:26] transparency and ensure that something something like this doesn't happen
[00:15:28] happen again. They also said specifically specifically or they don't actually,
[00:15:31] actually, as I said, highlight the the specific issues, but they don't
[00:15:35] don't conduct these improper practices. practices. Currently, BBC World Service
[00:15:38] Service reporter Jiji Ahn. The US
[00:15:40] US Senate has voted to confirm Todd
[00:15:43] Todd Blanche as Attorney General General following a weeks long struggle
[00:15:46] struggle with a handful of wary Republicans.
[00:15:49] Republicans. The Senate voted 5049 5049 to approve Mr Blanche, who's
[00:15:52] who's been serving as acting Attorney Attorney General since April. There's
[00:15:56] There's been controversy around his his nomination with questions about
[00:15:59] about potential conflicts of interest interest because he used to be President
[00:16:02] President Trump's personal lawyer. lawyer. He's also been criticised
[00:16:05] criticised for his role in the creation
[00:16:08] creation of a $1.8 billion anti weaponization weaponization fund following his
[00:16:12] his approval in the Senate, Mr Blanche
[00:16:13] Blanche said that he's honoured staying
[00:16:17] staying with US politics, the son son of the former US President Joe
[00:16:20] Joe Biden has told the BBC he feels
[00:16:22] feels like the most privileged person person there could be after receiving
[00:16:26] receiving a presidential pardon from from his father toward the end of
[00:16:29] of his term in office. In an interview interview with BBC Newsnight, Hunter
[00:16:33] Hunter Biden defended the decision, decision, which covered his federal
[00:16:36] federal gun conviction a tax case
[00:16:38] case he pleaded guilty to and any
[00:16:41] any federal offences committed between
[00:16:44] between 2014 and 2024. He was speaking
[00:16:45] speaking to Paddy O'Connell. Here's
[00:16:48] Here's another of his own decisions, decisions, which is attracting controversy
[00:16:52] controversy as well, which is a pardon
[00:16:54] pardon for his son. For you, Hunter.
[00:16:57] Hunter. And it does lead to critics critics saying that this is a problem
[00:17:00] problem in the American system. It
[00:17:02] It looks like a favour to the family, family, which is another word that
[00:17:06] that for critics, for a corruption corruption which you've criticised criticised the Trump administration
[00:17:10] administration for. Do you think
[00:17:11] think that he went too far as a dad
[00:17:14] dad in issuing a pardon to you? Well,
[00:17:20] Well, here's what all I know is that
[00:17:22] that I. I am a I'm a I am the most
[00:17:29] most privileged person as it relates relates to that that there could
[00:17:31] could possibly be. I was one of one.
[00:17:34] one. And I'm eternally grateful for for it. I am eternally grateful for
[00:17:38] for it because I think that Donald
[00:17:40] Donald Trump has proven to be exactly exactly who my dad thought he was
[00:17:43] was going to be. As it relates to
[00:17:46] to the revenge and retribution that that he would seek on his political
[00:17:49] political enemies. He spent in the
[00:17:51] the first 100 days alone, he mentioned mentioned or criticised my dad or
[00:17:55] or me six times a day. And if I was
[00:17:59] was in a in the Federal Bureau of
[00:18:04] of Probation or God forbid, in a
[00:18:07] a in a prison, then I think that that he would have had a hold on
[00:18:10] on my family that was that would
[00:18:12] would make it not just unbearable, unbearable, but incredibly unjust
[00:18:16] unjust and unfair. He's proven that
[00:18:19] that he does not believe in the separation separation of powers or the independence
[00:18:23] independence of the Justice Department Department or any of it or any of
[00:18:26] of its or its parts, including the
[00:18:28] the Federal Bureau of Probation. Probation. And that's the decision
[00:18:31] decision that my dad made. Now here's
[00:18:34] here's the real answer to your question, question, though. What you're saying.
[00:18:37] saying. Was it good for our Constitution? Constitution? Was it good for the
[00:18:40] the American people? Was it good good for my dad's legacy? No. On
[00:18:43] On all counts. It was it was not
[00:18:47] not it was it's something that is is easily criticised and for good
[00:18:51] good reason. And I can't pretend
[00:18:54] pretend otherwise. All I know is is that I'm grateful that he did
[00:18:57] did it for me. And all I can say say to anybody out there is that.
[00:19:01] that. What would you have thought thought of my dad if he did not do
[00:19:03] do that for me and left me to the
[00:19:07] the whims of Donald Trump? What would
[00:19:09] would you think of a dad that would
[00:19:13] would say, I'll put you in a prison prison controlled by a guy who's
[00:19:16] who's made it clear that he's willing
[00:19:17] willing to do just about anything
[00:19:20] anything to get his way for himself.
[00:19:23] himself. And so but no, you're right,
[00:19:25] right, Patty, it is a it's not fair.
[00:19:29] fair. I'm the only one in the world world that could have gotten what
[00:19:32] what I got from the only person in in the world who could give it my
[00:19:35] my father. Did you have that conversation
[00:19:38] conversation with him using similar similar words that you've shared
[00:19:41] shared with me just now? Yes. Yeah.
[00:19:48] Yeah. After we were very, very, very very clear. And I want people to
[00:19:51] to understand this is that when I I say that my dad and I did not talk
[00:19:54] talk about a pardon is because of of the fact that there is no way
[00:19:58] way that you can have those kinds kinds of discussions that would not
[00:20:01] not become public by virtue of somebody
[00:20:04] somebody that with the ability to to subpoena him, putting you under
[00:20:06] under oath asking that we did not not have that discussion until he
[00:20:09] he granted me the pardon. I know know why he made the decision now
[00:20:13] now because he's talked about it. it. He's talked about it publicly publicly and we've talked about it
[00:20:17] it as a family and there for all all the reasons that I just told
[00:20:20] told you. Hunter Biden, the son of of the former US President Joe Biden,
[00:20:24] Biden, of course, speaking to Paddy
[00:20:26] Paddy O'Connell on BBC News Night. Night. Now I just want to bring you
[00:20:30] you some breaking news. A 12-year-old 12-year-old girl has hardly become
[00:20:33] become the latest victim who died died from yesterday's mass shooting
[00:20:37] shooting at a school in Bangkok's
[00:20:39] Bangkok's northwestern suburbs. That That information has just come through
[00:20:42] through in the past few minutes and and is, according to Thailand's public
[00:20:46] public health ministry. That means
[00:20:47] means the death toll now stands at at nine and that includes the teenage
[00:20:51] teenage shooter. So some breaking breaking news updating the death
[00:20:55] death toll from that shooting in
[00:20:59] in Thailand next to the biggest celebration celebration of Irish music and culture
[00:21:02] culture in the world, because that's that's been taking place in Northern
[00:21:04] Northern Ireland. The Fleadh Festival Festival is being held in Belfast
[00:21:08] Belfast for the first time. Nearly Nearly a million people are expected expected to attend the event, which
[00:21:12] which is projected to give the city
[00:21:15] city a £53 million economic boost.
[00:21:23] boost. Now let's return to one of of our main stories that is President
[00:21:27] President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine
[00:21:29] Ukraine visiting his Serbian counterpart
[00:21:32] counterpart to discuss economic ties.
[00:21:33] ties. And the reason it's so significant
[00:21:36] significant is because Serbia is
[00:21:38] is traditionally an ally of Russia.
[00:21:42] Russia. So we saw the President arriving arriving and the though recently
[00:21:46] recently held a press conference. conference. So let's speak now to
[00:21:49] to our colleague Slobodan Maricic Maricic from BBC Serbian to discuss
[00:21:53] discuss what was said. Thanks for for being with us, Slobodan. So what
[00:21:55] what were some of the key points
[00:21:57] points that came from this, particularly
[00:21:59] particularly in terms of what President President Zelensky may have been
[00:22:02] been able to gain from this meeting?
[00:22:07] meeting? Well, what President Bush Bush and President Zelensky were
[00:22:10] were speaking about here in Belgrade,
[00:22:12] Belgrade, just behind me in this
[00:22:17] this room was. The paths of both
[00:22:20] both Ukraine and Serbia towards the
[00:22:23] the EU as well as economic and energy
[00:22:26] energy co-operation. They both thanked
[00:22:29] thanked each other for supporting supporting the territorial integrity
[00:22:32] integrity of both countries as Ukraine
[00:22:36] Ukraine is one of the countries that
[00:22:38] that still haven't recognised Kosovo
[00:22:40] Kosovo and Serbia have, even though
[00:22:43] though it still haven't imported
[00:22:46] imported sanctions on Russia because
[00:22:47] because of the. The war in Ukraine
[00:22:51] Ukraine have several times supported
[00:22:53] supported the territorial integrity
[00:22:55] integrity of Ukraine. We've heard
[00:22:59] heard that even today here in Belgrade.
[00:23:02] Belgrade. And it's interesting, isn't isn't it, Slobodan? Because one of
[00:23:05] of the things that was said in the
[00:23:06] the press conference by President
[00:23:09] President Vucic was that we support support the territorial integrity
[00:23:12] integrity of Ukraine. He said that
[00:23:15] that was unequivocal. And yet, how
[00:23:17] how do you square that with Serbia
[00:23:20] Serbia not imposing sanctions on on Russia, which has invaded and
[00:23:23] and therefore threatened the territorial
[00:23:25] territorial integrity of Ukraine?
[00:23:29] Ukraine? Well, as we speak with several
[00:23:32] several professors and researchers, researchers, we I mean, we from BBC
[00:23:36] BBC Serbia, they've all pointed out out that Serbia is for years and
[00:23:38] and years now trying to, as they they say, sit on several chairs at
[00:23:42] at once, keeping good relations with
[00:23:45] with both Russia and European Union
[00:23:47] Union and the US and China in this
[00:23:51] this way President Bush was being
[00:23:56] being sort of. He said that that
[00:23:59] that Serbia is supporting the territorial
[00:24:04] territorial integrity of Ukraine Ukraine and that he that he hopes
[00:24:08] hopes that the war will stop as soon
[00:24:12] soon as possible. And we have been been hearing from analysts that quite
[00:24:16] quite often Moscow has turned a blind
[00:24:18] blind eye to Serbia, for example,
[00:24:21] example, providing aid to Ukraine. Ukraine. What do you think Russia
[00:24:25] Russia is likely to make of this this visit and all the things that
[00:24:28] that President Vucic has said? Well,
[00:24:32] Well, we still haven't heard any
[00:24:34] any reactions from the Russian side.
[00:24:37] side. Last year we heard a strong
[00:24:40] strong criticism from Russia because
[00:24:43] because of the export of the ammunition ammunition from Serbia that ended
[00:24:46] ended up in the hands of the Ukrainian
[00:24:49] Ukrainian army. They have even called
[00:24:51] called it a stab in the back or a
[00:24:53] a shot in the back. We'll see. We'll
[00:24:56] We'll see, we'll see, we'll see what
[00:25:01] what will happen in the future from
[00:25:03] from the Russian side regarding this this matter. Well, thank you for
[00:25:07] for that analysis, Slobodan. And And I like the phrase about Serbia
[00:25:10] Serbia trying to sit on many different different chairs at once. That was was a good way of putting it. So
[00:25:13] So thank you very much for your analysis
[00:25:16] analysis that Slobodan Maricic from
[00:25:19] from BBC Serbia. Conservationists Conservationists say there's mounting
[00:25:23] mounting concern over the future future of wildlife around the northeast
[00:25:26] northeast coast of England after after tonnes of microplastics spilt
[00:25:29] spilt into the River Tyne. Millions Millions of plastic pellets still
[00:25:32] still litter the coast after the the incident. The clean-up has been
[00:25:35] been led by specialists, aided by
[00:25:37] by an army of volunteers. Now marketing
[00:25:42] marketing executives are always trying trying to find new ways to grab our
[00:25:44] our attention. Well, how about this?
[00:25:46] this? A man has been taking up temporary
[00:25:49] temporary residence in a living room room built into a billboard in Los
[00:25:52] Los Angeles. It's part of a promotional promotional campaign for Netflix's
[00:25:56] Netflix's new sci-fi thriller The
[00:25:58] The Last House. And the film is about
[00:26:00] about a family of four who suddenly suddenly find themselves seated inside
[00:26:04] inside their home with no
[00:27:36] some parts of Iraq.
[00:29:56] online at bbc.com/business to get get the latest news wherever you
[00:29:59] you are. Business on BBC News. Make
[00:30:02] Make the connection. MUSIC
[00:30:14] MUSIC Now Now on BBC News. Three people challenging challenging expectations explains
[00:30:18] explains why it works for them. This This week Focus on Africa hears from...
[00:30:22] from... Master and his two wives wives about their polygamous marriage.
[00:30:26] marriage. In the conversation. I
[00:30:29] I love this guy and he is married. married. Cecilia I just love your
[00:30:32] your man. Will you accept me to be be your second wife? Really hit me
[00:30:36] me hard when the kid said that he he wants. He wants to introduce a
[00:30:40] a second wife, a second partner. partner. It's not that I lacked.
[00:30:43] lacked. Something from Cilla that that I was looking from Mariam. But
[00:30:47] But it's the truth. All men are polygamous
[00:30:49] polygamous by nature. The choice
[00:30:51] choice of staying polygamous or monogamous
[00:30:56] monogamous is is essentially an outcome outcome of many factors. The kid