27/08/2017 BBC Weekend News

Parts of Texas face unprecedented flooding, as Tropical Storm Harvey

In Houston, more than a thousand people have been rescued

Hundreds of others are stranded in their homes.

We prayed a lot and we just praised God and we were rescued, so

President Trump has praised the relief effort, we'll

Some of the victims of yesterday's M1 crash have been named.

They include the minibus driver Cyriac Joseph, who was 52.

Labour says for the good of the economy, the UK must stay

in the single market and customs union, during any

The Notting Hill Carnival gets under way in West London,

with a tribute to the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

And, after all the hype, Floyd Mayweather sees off

Ireland's Conor McGregor, in the 10th round, in Vegas.

More than a thousand people have been rescued from flooding in one

of America's most populous cities, Houston, in Texas, as a huge

storm continues to batter parts of the state.

Forecasters there say the conditions are "unprecedented," and warn

24 inches of rain fell in one day, and emergency workers

are still trying to reach hundreds of people stranded in their homes.

Our North America Correspondent James Cook is in Houston

The White House has just announced that the President, Donald Trump,

will visit Texas on Tuesday. He will find a state struggling to cope with

one of the most serious natural disasters in living memory for this

country and here in Houston this, floodwater is creeping ever-closer

to the heart of the city. Harvey arrived in Houston with

avengeance. No longer packing the full force of a hurricane but still

deadly. Forecasters say it is on track to dump more than 50 inches of

rain in Texas, making it the wettest storm on record here. In the fourth

largest city in the United States, the results are devastating. Well

this appears to be either the worse or one of the worse floods Houston

has ever had. We are measuring not in inches but feet. Hundreds of

rescuers have taken to the water, in boats large and small but the

flooded city's streets are difficult to navigate. The currents are swift,

and treacherous. Treacherous. In these conditions, making the wrong

turning can quickly become a matter of life and death. . We prayed a lot

and we just praised God and we were rescued, so we're very thankful.

Houston has ground to a halt and with the rain still teeming down,

the waters keep on rising. Police are urging people not to venture

out, not to risk their lives. This is Y Pedro told us he was almostp

swept away. I had to find a way to come home. I had to walk all the way

there. The rescue boat was ever there but I was helping somebody

else. There is rescues happening up there. Yes. The storm has crippled

transport and left people struggling to go about their lives. Right now

it is hard to believe this is the richest nation on Earth. You get a

sense of how quickly this situation is unfolding. The flooding clearly

caught these drivers by surprise and still the rains coming down, with no

sign of it stopping. The authorities are struggling to cope, they are

calling for more boats to be sent in. More than 2,000 people, in need

of rescue, have called the emergency services and the mayor is trying to

stem a sense of panic. We are coming to you. OK, we want people to know

in the city - if you are there, there is a need, we will get to you.

I will simply ask that you remain calm, remain a little patient, OK

but we will get to you. Tonight, this city and its bedraggled

citizens are increasingly isolated. Getting in and out is becoming

harder and harder and with night fall approaching and the waters

rising, this is a disaster in the making.

It is difficult to see how this city could host a presidential visit as

early as Tuesday. The authorities here really are struggling to cope

with the extent of this unfolding disaster. It seems clear more people

are trapped tonight and still are waiting to be rescued. That number

is likely to increase because the waters are rising, the problem being

that the remnants of the hurricane are stuck, sitting across this state

and this rain is likely to continue for days. Thank you for that, James.

Some of the eight victims of yesterday's minibus crash on the M1

near Newport Pagnell, have been named.

They include the driver of the minibus involved

Two lorry drivers have been charged with causing death

A church service held this morning to remember Cyriac Joseph, the

minibus driver lost his life yesterday morning in a crash on the

M1, that left six men and two women dead.

Today his wife and two children were at church, where

He was a family-oriented man, very genuine.

Personally he was a good friend of mine as well.

This afternoon friends spoke of their memories of

him and said their faith will help them support each other.

And he was quite friendly with everybody.

If anybody needs anything, he is there

So he was always there for someone and he was always there for

He was driving a minibus from his company, ABC Travel, when

the collision happened near Newport Pagnell on Saturday

Two lorries, from one from FedEx and another from AIM Logistics

Both companies have expressed sympathies

for those who lost loved ones and to the four people, including a

five-year-old girl, who were taken to hospital.

Today, IT company Wipro confirmed three of his

employees died in the crash and another member of staff is seriously

Grief also being felt at the church service that brought together

family, friends and worshippers, each with their own thoughts of the

Around 50 people on a beach in East Sussex have been treated

for eye and throat irritation, caused by a suspected chemical leak.

It happened at Birling Gap, with people reporting painful,

stinging eyes and difficulties breathing after what was described

Sussex Police say the unknown haze is coming in from the sea,

People living nearby are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

Our correspondent Adina Campbell joins me now, what's the latest?

As you say, dozens of people have reported problems with their eyes

and throat as a result of this suspected chemical leak. What we do

know tonight is that 50 people have been treated by the emergency

services for those problems. It's not clear at this stage what's

caused this. It is being described as an "unknown haze coming from the

sea." Birling Gap is a popular holiday spot. Lots of people go

there during the summer but tonight the area is being completely

evacuated. We also know the RNLI have sent lifeboats along the

shoreline to check people are safe. One has had a doctor on board. The

emergency services are saying that people in the air should keep doors

and windows shut as you said, and surrounding roads have also been

closed off. Jeremy Corbyn has defended

Labour's policy shift in advocating the UK remain

in the EU's single market and customs union during any

transitional period after Brexit. He says it's the best way

to safeguard jobs and the economy. The move would mean the continued

free movement of people, and ongoing payments to Brussels,

after EU membership Our political correspondent

Iain Watson reports. Labour's leadership have

always been clear - they respect the result of the EU

referendum but they've been less clear about what sort

of Brexit they want. But now the shadow Brexit secretary

and the Labour Leader have agreed on a direction of travel

in a transitional period, immediately after we leave the EU,

nothing much would change at all. Writing in the Observer Kier Starmer

says, "We would seek to remain in the customs union within the EU

and within the single market It means we would be abide

by the common rules of both. Customs union membership

allows our goods to flow freely across the EU but it also

restricts our ability to make Being inside the single market means

good and finance can move relatively Never mind talks between

Britain and Brussels, as I understand it, there's been

intense negotiations within Labour's Well, what does abiding by EU

rules actually mean? It would mean, for example,

the continuation of free movement of labour, making it difficult

to control EU migration, but just how long would Labour's

transitional period actually last? I hear the Government is thinking

in terms of two years but we're not putting a time limit on it,

what we will say is we need to reach an arrangement that protects

the long-term trading relationship between Britain and Europe

and jobs in this country. Jeremy Corbyn was in the spotlight

in Edinburgh today talking about Brexit but behind the scenes,

some of his own MPs wanted to go further and commit to permanent

single market membership. What people would now like to see,

building on this important step forward, is for the Labour Party

to commit to single market membership and customs union

after the transition period, after the UK has left

the European Union. But some Labour MPs who backed

Brexit don't want to see the leader moving any further

in that direction. I've not been on a journey,

so I think people can keep the faith with those of us,

Labour MPs, who campaigned to come out, and to know that we're not

doing any ratting or U-Turning It's a difficult balancing

act appealing to both Jeremy Corbyn did it at the last

election but that may be difficult to repeat

as he clarifies his A 31-year old man has been arrested

on suspicion of murder, after the body of a young child

was found in a house in Wythenshawe in south Manchester,

early this morning. A man and a woman who'd also

suffered serious injuries had left for hospital before

officers arrived, following reports The 51st Notting Hill Carnival has

opened in West London, with the release of doves

and multi-faith prayers in memory of those who died

in the Grenfell Tower Firefighters and paramedics

were among those who bowed Carnival-goers have been asked

to wear something green, to remember those affected

by the tragedy. From Notting Hill,

Elaine Dunkley reports. With the joyous sounds and vibrant

colours of Carnival, they celebrated the lives of those

taken by tragedy. Many wore green for Grenfell,

a colour symbolising It is in honour of the victims

to be honest with you. Her house would be full,

maybe 16 people sleeping on floors, At times those watching

the procession were overwhelmed, saddened for those who once had

a front row seat to the biggest street party in Europe,

but with laughter and love, Carnival paid respect

in the way it knows how. To bring us altogether

as a sharing, caring community, that we are one community

and together we're much more successful and together we celebrate

the best of Britain. There had been moments

of reflection, stillness and solitude, as well as gratitude

for those who saved lives. Carnival has always had its roots

firmly within this community. It was started in the 1960s

by West Indian immigrants who were facing racism,

inequality and poor housing. Much of this still resonates on the

streets of Notting Hill today. After Grenfell Tower

it is important we have a sense We have already had

a minute's silence for them. In a moment of madness

everyone heard that minute. Notting Hill Carnival will always

symbolise celebration, freedom, revelry but in the shadow

of Grenfell, it has a new purpose - as a voice for a community

trying to heal. It is one of the busiest

commuter routes in Scotland, and later this week drivers

will have a new bridge to cross the Firth of Forth,

between Edinburgh and Fife. The Queensferry Crossing,

will sit alongside the iconic Forth Rail Bridge,

as well as the current road bridge, and is the longest

of its kind in the world. With more details here's our

Scotland Correspondent Lorna Gordon, and her report contains

some flashing images. Rising out of the waters

of the Forth, the Queensferry crossing, linking

Edinburgh and Fife. The bridge's cantilevers designed,

catching the light as is soars 15,000 people worked on this huge

construction project. The bridge came in under budget

but delayed and was not without its difficulties for those

involved in its build. Some days you can't walk

on the deck, you have to clear Up the towers there

are limits and you have Then the horizontal

rain that goes with it. From the crossing's towers

to its viaduct, it's taken six years for this structure

to take its final shape. The deck sections moving

slowly into place, the most visible part

of a complicated The nature of this bridge

is such that, for example, there are no joints in it and that

means the amounts of maintenance The other thing is the shape

of the bridge, it is to reduce the surface area, so there is a

limited amount of painting Then we wanted to make it

weather-proof, hence When this bridge opens to traffic,

this road will become a motorway and tens of thousands of vehicles

will use it every day. This has been described

as the biggest infrastructure project here in Scotland

for a generation. The Queensferry Crossing,

the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world is now

finally about to open. And with three bridges spanning

three different centuries now standing side-by-side,

what of the view from the shore? It surprises me how the new bridge

actually compliments the other two. It is very different, the cable

stays, they are like sails, The other bridges have

different visual qualities. You have the redness and geometry

and virtuosity of the rail bridge and the minimal quality

to the 1960s' road bridge. The old and the new side-by-side

as the Queensferry crossing gets ready to carry travellers

through the century to come. Lorna Gordon BBC News

at the Queensferry Crossing. With all the sport, here's

John Watson at the BBC Sport Centre. Floyd Mayweather says he's retired

for good after victory over Conor McGergor

in their super-fight in Las Vegas. Despite appearing in his first

professional boxing bout, the Irishman lasted

until the tenth round. With many believing this fight to be

a mis-match, Floyd May weather wags made to work by Connor McGregor in

confirming his position as one of boxing all-time greats. A sense of

hope and excitement for McGregor's were spects had built throughout the

day with Irish fans turning this desert city green. There is a

punters a chance, if he can land a left-hand shot, he could do with it.

Floyd Mayweather want without support. 49 and he is going to do

it, put your money where your mouth is. McGregor emerged all guns

placing, catching Mayweather with some shots. An upset looked possible

but the speed of Mayweather ground the Irishman round and by the ninth

round McGregor was in trouble. He was clinging to ropes. The end soon

followed for a fate that has intrigued but also repulsed many

given the language and behaviour of both men in the about build-up After

21 years in the sport of boxing, you know I have had some great fights, I

had some boring fights but at the end of the day, he I will always be

remembered as a winner. Many believed this fight would be a farce

in the end it was far from it but the controversies remain, so, too,

about a fight that was unapoll jetically put on primarily for the

money An enjoyable experience and learning experience. I'm very happy.

Of course I would love the win. Two of sport's great smoemen delivered

entertainment but with the cheques cashed and the hype at an end, the

circus has now left town. Match of the Day 2 follows the news,

so if you want to wait for today's Arsenal slipped to their heaviest

Premier League defeat in almost two years as they were beaten 4-0

by Liverpool at Anfield. The win moves them up

to second in the table. Elsewhere, champions

Chelsea beat Everton 2-0, while in the Scottish Premiership,

it was one apiece between Dundee and Hibernian, and Rangers won 3-1

at Ross County. England captain Joe Root helped

steer his side to a two-run lead over West Indies at the end

of the third day of the second Whether he can steer them

to victory remains to be seen. Cheap runs at head Ily. England

spent a long time waiting for them. On Sunday, buy one get one free.

Hope for 157 and next went for none. Jimmy Anderson for just three.

Germane blackwood nearly through through himself in with England,

straight to Moeen Ali. England couldn't afford mistakes. Jason

Holder held the pose by the time they were bowled out his team held

the lead of 169. A figure that England must follow that required

concentration rather than stimulation, rather that, than the

alarm call. Stowman fought hard for 50. Not much he could do with this.

England were reliant on Joe Root who was reliant onner if tune, dropped,

reprieved, survived but at Headingley, it can Paul apart

without warning. Lewis Hamilton has trimmed the gap

to Championship leader Sebastien Vettel after winning

the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver won his fifth

race of the season, holding off a late challenge from the German

driver's Ferrari to win Chris Froome has extended his lead

in cycling's Vuelta a Espana The Team Sky rider attacked

with 500 metres to go. He now leads the race by 36

seconds, with 12 stages to win both the Tour de France

and Vuelta in the same year. And details of the day's

other sports stories