15/08/2014 BBC News at Ten

The West moves to arm Iraqi Kurdish forces to bolster their fight

against Islamist millants. The Kurds say there is an urgent need for

weapons and aid to avert disaster. The humanitarian crisis continues,

as thousands flee for their lives into Syria and other of Iraq. We

will look at the implications of arming the Kurds. Also tonight,

claims a column of Russian armoured vehicles have crossed the border

into Ukraine. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa, a

leading medical charity warns it could take six months to get it

under control. National protests in America prompt an internal police

inquiry into the shooting dead of a black teenager. It's not a black or

white thing - this is an every day thing. People are getting killed

every day by the authority that's supposed to be protecting us. And

the wickets tumble, supposed to be protecting us. And

the wickets with England's bowlers rampant against India in the final

Test. Later on BBC London - why three years after the riots,

millions of pounds earmarked for regeneration have gone unspent and

the campaigners facing eviction at Heathrow as they fight plans for a

third runway. Good evening. Western countries,

including Britain, today indicated they were ready to send arms to

Kurdish forces in Iraq, to help them fight Islamic State militants. S

ministers held emergency talks, trying to work out a co-ordinated

response. The Foreign Secretary described Islamic State as a threat

to civilisation. Britain is set to join France, the United States and

other countries in supplying arms to the Kurds. Tonight, there are as yet

unverified reports of further atrocities. Claims 80 Yazidi men

have been shot dead in a town in north-west Iraq, with men and

children being forcibly removed. 200,000 refugees are in camps in

Kurdish-controlled Iraq and in parts of Syria. Our correspondent has

travelled to the Syrian town of Nuroz and just sent this report.

Camp Nuroz, in Syria, the first place of sanctuary for thousands of

Yazidi refugees. People walked 40 miles, in 50

degrees heat to get here, across mountain and desert.

Two weeks ago, the camp had just 20 families. Now it is swollen to

15,000 people. Patriotic music drifts across the

camp. We have heard our women screaming, says the song. Don't be

afraid, we will defend this land and defend our honour.

The song is part of an effort by a Syrian Kurdish militia here to

recruit among the Yazidi refugees. TRANSLATION: I know how to fight

because I grew TRANSLATION: I know how to fight

I will go to my village, wherever I find Islamic State, I will kill them

because of what they did to us. TRANSLATION: We will break the

enemy's hands and hearts as they did to us. They capture our women and

they are selling them. I will go to free our people. I will go to free

our land. The Kurdish forces will certainly find volunteers in teeming

refugee camps. Any new recruits will go up against battle-hardened

veterans from the Islamic State and the jihadis too are well equipped.

They have weapons and ammunition they captured from the Iraqi forces.

Even with western air support, the Kurdish forces will have a long and

difficult task to recapture the towns and villages that all these

people came from. The Kurdish militia have begun a

training programme. They hope it will give them an army capable of

defeating the jihadis. "We didn't choose this war, but we

have no choice, but to fight. The Yazidi are our people too. We hadn't

confronted the Islamic State, there would have been a genocide."

Just over the border, into Iraq, a brand new camp is being built for

displaced Yazidis. The camp is better than what greeted them when

they first fled into Syria, but it is another depressing sign, there'll

be no quick end to this crisis. Well t daily reports of displaced

people and militant atrocities have meant an on-going RAF operation to

drop aid and contribute to intelligence-gathering in the

region. Our diplomatic affairs correspondent examines how far the

international community will go to support the Kurds.

In the skies over Iraq, with the RAF. A mission to refuel British

tornadoes. They are tasked with keeping an eye on the ground below,

both to gauge the needs of trapped refugees and to assess the threat

from Islamic State militants. But Iraq's Kurdish leaders say the

West needs to do more if the whole region is not to be overrun with

extremists. Ethically it is the responsible of

the US and UK to do something because they were promising people

to have a stable, democratic, federal, parliamentary, prosperous

Iraq and now one-third of Iraq is in the hands of a terrorist state.

And military help is on the way, to shore up defences of the likely

armed Kurdish soldiers, being offered by Britain, the US, two

plane loads from Canada and other EU nations. And in New York tonight, a

unanimous vote at the UN Security Council, on sanctions to try to cut

off the extremists' funding and flow of fighters. This will be a major

step forward in showing the commitment of the international

community to stamping out this threat and to supporting the new

Iraqi Government. Because this is what the Kurds and

the rest of Iraq are up against - ISIS, or Islamic State militants,

re-enforced by hardware they seized in their sweep across Syria and now

Iraq. Their ambitious - to efface the border between the two countries

and unite them into a caliphate. This is the so-called border of the

people. We don't recognise it and we will never recognise it. They even

made this video about it. The so-called line - the old colonial

frontier, said this fighter, is no more.

This is the map from 1916, showing that secret agreement between the

British and French diplomats. Designed to carve up this part of

the Middle East into parts of influence. A for France and B, for

Britain. A more or less straight line drawn in the sands and the

result is echoed in the border between modern day Iraq and Syria.

It has left the Kurds split between Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

Without their own independent homeland, and the worry is, if the

West arms the Kurds, would it fuel their ambitions for independence and

hasten Iraq's breakup? A task for the man to be Iraq's new Prime

Minister. Already Kurds and Sunnis have said they will back him. Even

if Iraq stays united, the enemy it faces is formidable.

Our correspondent is in dough hock for us. Caroline, how far can we

expect to see things change where you are, given what has been agreed

today? -- Dohuk. Things are coming here like cooking you tensies. The

need here is huge. There is a need for co-ordination. We have seen more

aid workers, registering refugees, finding out what is needed and

where. The scale is immense. 400,000 refugees in this region. They have

doubled the population, for example here in Dohuk. They are in

dilapidated buildings. That they said they need the help to

co-ordinate that. The governor said it will take six weeks to build new

refugee camps. That cannot come quickly enough. He and many others

here say what is really needed, along with the aid, is ammunition

and weapon microbrewery. That is essential -- and weapon

microbrewery. That is essential. They say America and the West owes

them that. Ukraine says it has partially

destroyed a column of Ukraine says it has partially

destroyed a column armoured vehicles crossing from Russia. NATO said it

was a military incursion. Here the Foreign Office has summoned Russia's

envoy to explain. The foreign ministry has denied any column

entered Ukraine. The convoy of aid sent by Rushden sha is -- sent by

Russia is parked near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. Russia's

humanitarian convoy was not moving today.

But these were. We saw a dozen light tanks speeding

past the aid lorries, in the direction of the border. A few hours

earlier military hardware had been spotted crossing into Ukraine,

through a hole in the fence. We came across a column of 23 carriers and

fuel tankers, with Russian army plates outside the border town of

Donetsk. We followed them because we heard stories about military

equipment crossing the border. And eventually they led us to a fence,

where they were passing through, which turned out to be the Ukrainian

border. Russia says its border is secure. And that claims of an

invasion are absurd. Moscow denies it sent troops across the border

last night. In recent months there have been reports about Russian

military support for rebels in eastern Ukraine, that is why Kiev

finds the idea of a Russian humanitarian mission so hard to

believe. There was military activity too near

the aid convoy today. Although that seemed to stop when the journalists

arrived for an official tour. The Emergencies Ministry said it had

nothing to hide. We would not find any weapons here for the pro-Russian

rebels. We could choose a lorry, any lorry and they would open it up and

show us the contents. So, I choose this one.

What we have here is drinking water and lots of it.

But it is unclear when this aid will be transported to eastern Ukraine.

There is still no firm agreement with Kiev. Instead, Russia today

accused Ukraine of stepping up the fighting there. It even claimed

there were forces in Ukraine who were plotting to blow up the aid

convoy. And tonight, more signs of a Russian military buildup. As we were

driving back from the border, we saw this convoy, heading the other way.

More than 50 military vehicles and just a few miles from the border

with Ukraine. The West is urging Russia to show restraint and to

change direction. We can speak now to our Europe

editor, who is in Brussels, where European Foreign Ministers have been

meeting. What did they say about the situation in Ukraine? When the

Foreign Ministers met here, there was a sense this was a dangerous

moment in the crisis. Their message to Russia was that any unilateral

military action in Ukraine would be regarded as a violation of

international law. There was also some hint of further sanctions,

although getting unity on that might be difficult. Then tonight the

President of France spoke up, urging Russia to return to the negotiating

table. Chancellor Merkel phoned President Putin, asking him to stop

the movement of men and materials across the border, from Russia into

Ukraine. Asking him to try and calm the situation.

All Ukraine. Asking him to try and calm

the situation. of this ahead of a crucial meeting in Berlin on Sunday,

which will bring together the Foreign Ministers and this is seen

as a very important moment in trying to deescalate this crisis.

Police in South Yorkshire say more people have come forward with

information, following their search of Sir Cliff Richard's

flat yesterday in connection with an investigation into

an allegation of sexual assault. The veteran singer strongly denies

the claim as David Sillito reports. At his vineyard home in Portugal

there were today a few comings and goings but no sign of

Sir Cliff Richard himself. It's understood he is still

in Portugal. Indeed, it was only a few days ago

he was hosting a charity event here. He is a familiar figure.

The allegation that he strongly denies of a sexual assault back

in 1985 has been a shock in a neighbourhood in which he is

something of a tourist attraction. He's famous.

Many tourists around here all the time, coming from Albufeira.

Some travel agents make trips around the vineyard to this house.

And he's a good guy. But police say that

following yesterday's search of his flat in Berkshire they have

now been contacted by a number of people with information.

There are no details though about the nature of that information.

Cliff Richard, meanwhile, has, beyond saying the allegation is

completely false, said he would co-operate with police.

And today they said they would like to talk to him, but there is

no warrant for arrest and certainly no sign of any charge.

This investigation is at an early stage.

The question of when he returns to Britain remains,

we understand, at the moment, open. David Sillito, BBC News.

A medical charity has warned it will take at least six months to bring

the outbreak of the Ebola virus in west Africa under control.

Medecins Sans Frontieres said clinics were overflowing and more

experts were needed on the ground. Ebola has killed more than 1100

people and the World Health Organisation says

the scale of the outbreak may have been vastly underestimated.

Here's Branwen Jeffreys. Tearing down makeshift shanty homes

on the edge of Guinea's capital. Security forces ripped

shelters apart, believing this slum could harbour the virus.

So little time to salvage what they can.

This man says he would rather risk Ebola than be moved.

And as the fear has increased, so too the numbers seeking help

at medical centres, increasing international concern

that there may be many more risk. We have seen, with the opening

of new treatment centres, many more Ebola patients come forward.

And so this has given rise to the belief that there are probably

a lot of patients out there that we haven't traced or contacted yet.

Behind these checkpoints in Liberia, almost a million people are

in quarantine, but trying to contain so many could be unrealistic.

The rising number of cases is outstripping the help available.

Aid agencies say they can only trace a few of those exposed to the virus,

and they're worried that attempts to impose restrictions could lead

to fewer people coming forward or taking adequate precautions.

I really had the feeling that it is like wartime,

in terms of fear, general fear, all over where you are, nobody

understanding what is going on. Some supplies of an experimental

medicine have arrived in Liberia, but there is little of it and little

hope that it will make a difference. Even if more international help is

galvanised soon, it could take six months to contain

this deadly outbreak of Ebola. Branwen Jeffreys, BBC News.

The governor of the US State of Missouri has promised

a "thorough investigation" into the death of an unarmed black

teenager shot by police. It follows days of rioting

in the town of Ferguson, and last night national protests.

The teenager was shot dead on Saturday.

Today, police claimed he was a suspect in a robbery.

His family accuse the police of an "execution".

The heavy-handed police response to the protests has been strongly

criticised by civil rights groups. From Ferguson in Missouri,

Aleem Maqbool reports. The town of Ferguson has come

together in a case which has had reverberations across America. There

is not just sorrow but outrage. Michael Brown, who was 18, was

unarmed. Police say he tussled with an officer over a weapon.

Eyewitnesses say he had his hands raised. Police say shortly before

Michael Brown was shot dead, this happened. It appears to show him

manhandling a store worker and stealing cigars. Police later

admitted the officer that killed him did not know Michael Brown was

suspected of robbery at the time it happened. After days of pressure,

that officer was named. The officer that was involved in the shooting of

Michael Brown was Darren Wilson. He has been a police officer for six

years, has had no disciplinary action taken against him. He was

treated for injuries which occurred on Saturday. It is a travesty. My

cousin was murdered. He was executed, and we are just tired and

we want peace in the community and we want justice to be served. Hands

up, don't shoot, the slogan that has come to symbolise this case.

Americans were further shocked in recent days by the levels of almost

military force being used by police to quell protest. The images even

led President Obama to call for the authorities to be more responsible.

There were vigils all over the US, as the killing of a black youngster

by a white officer conjured memories of so many incidents of the past.

That led to a radical change in police tactics, and black officers

taking charge of security, walking alongside demonstrators. Some in the

community thought they had made progress. Many are not so sure.

Whether or not Michael Brown did rob this store that was shown in the

CCTV footage, it is clear his killing has opened huge unanswered

questions about race, equality and police heavy handedness that remain

for communities right across this country. Aleem Maqbool, BBC News in

Ferguson, Missouri. Shrien Dewani, the British man

accused of murdering his wife while on honeymoon, has been found

fit to stand trial in South Africa, by a panel of psychiatric experts.

The 34-year-old Bristol businessman is accused of ordering the murder

of his 28-year-old wife, Anni, who was shot in Cape Town in 2010.

Mr Dewani, who denies murder, was extradited from Britain in April.

The last commercial ship Ilda on the River Clyde has gone into

administration with the loss of jobs. Ferguson shipyard was founded

in 1902, but has struggled to secure investment.

extradited from Britain in April. For the first time the Metropolitan

Police has confirmed the identity of two undercover officers both accused

of deceiving women by having relationships with them, without

disclosing their true identities. The Met, which is being sued

by the women, denies authorising the relationships,and claims they

were based on genuine feelings. Our Home Affairs correspondent

Matt Prodger reports. Jim Boyling.

On the outside, a climate campaigner of the 1990s.

On the inside, a police intelligence officer.

And Bob Lambert, animal rights activist to friends, but to Scotland

Yard, a trusted spy master. Between them they are alleged to

have deceived seven women into sexual relationships and fathered

three children as a result. It was abusive to people, damaging.

Decades later, activists exposed Bob Lambert

as a member of the undercover Special Demonstration Squad.

Here, they challenge the now retired officer in the street.

He had infiltrated a group called London Greenpeace and

helped it write a leaflet denouncing the McDonald's fast food chain.

helped it write a leaflet denouncing It became the heart of a notorious

court case known as McLibel. The Met has now been forced to

formally identify Bob Lambert and Jim Boyling.

formally identify Bob Lambert Of the claim that they cynically

abused the trust of the women, the force says the relationships

occurred because of mutual attraction and genuine personal

feelings, and it has denied that intimate and sexual relationships

were started as a deliberate tactic. There was nothing genuine about it.

The entire relationship was based on a massive web of lies.

They had all the power. That is not love, it is abuse.

Helen Steel is one of ten women suing the police over the

activities of undercover agents. She says the officer in this picture

fooled her into a two-year relationship that left her scarred.

Eventually I found out he had used the identity of a child

who died when they were eight. My world fell apart.

This is part of a wider controversy into how

the police have used undercover officers, and for what purposes.

Bit by bit, through a series of enquiries,

investigations and court cases, the truth is beginning to emerge.

Matt Prodger, BBC News, Scotland Yard.

Britain picked up five medals, including two golds, at

the European Athletics Championships in Zurich this evening.

The standout performance came from Adam Gemili in the 200 meters.

In claiming the gold, he became the first Briton ever to run 200 metres

in under 20 seconds more than once. Cricket, and England got off to a

great start in the fifth and final Test against India at the Oval.

At one stage the visitors were reduced to 90-9 before eventually

being bowled out for 148. In reply England had made 62

without loss at the close of play. Joe Wilson watched the day's action.

August 15th is a day of great Indian pride, Independence Day,

and the cricket team, a travelling reflection of Indian

resilience, in theory. Friday morning, they resisted

like an unopened umbrella. Here is the fourth ball of the day,

Galton Gambir edging the delivery he wanted to leave.

He looked at his bat is if they had just met.

Coming from the other end, Stuart Broad, broken stumps, broken nose.

He looked like he had just gone 12 rounds.

For batsmen, this is a technical knockout.

India 10-2, and Pujara feeling blue. Now came Chris Jordan.

Kohli was batting. Without his bat?

LBW? Yes, said the umpire.

And then Rahane gave Jordan a catch, gratefully accepted.

England's support bowlers now starring.

Chris Woakes to Murali Vijay. Joe Root caught that in a tin hat.

36-5. Anderson, Binny, Cookie,

England don't drop catches any more, not often.

Grey looking skies, floodlights on, the kind of conditions English

bowlers love. India in retreat.

But MS Dhoni saw things a little differently.

Dhoni ensured India reached 148, and England dropping Sharma helped.

When Dhoni finally fell, he had made 82.

Through bruises, Broad could see it was a captain's innings for India.

England batting, Sam Robson a study of scrutiny.

He is playing for his place. By the close, England 62.

And wickets taken? None.

Joe Wilson, BBC News, the Oval. That's all from us. Now,

time for the news where you are.