31/07/2011 Reporters

Now it is time for Reporters. Ian Pannell sends a special report

from Misrata, the city bogged down in the crossfire of the Libyan

conflict. Britain's forgotten nuclear veterans. Caroline Wyatt

meets the servicemen who want compensation after being exposed to

radiation decades ago. Gideon Long gets to see inside Chile's giant

telescopes which are leading the way in cosmic exploration.

Welcome to Reporters. We begin this week's programme with

Libya. There are fears that the killing of the rebel commander

General Abdel Fattah Younes may only prolong the conflict. The

rebels have now been recognised by the UK as being the country's

legitimate government. Colonel Gaddafi retains control over

Tripoli and much of the west while the rebels control eastern Libya

from their base in Benghazi. Thr western city of Misrata is still

the key battleground as Ian Pannell reports. 115 Tripoli Street,

Misrata. The road at the centre of the epic

struggle. A family home caught in the

crossfire. Shattered by bombs and bullets, burned by fire. Its ruins

are a testament to the ferocity of what happened here. Nadia was born

in this house. She had four brothers when this battle began.

One was killed by Colonel Gaddafi's men. The other three, now volunteer

soldiers in the rebel army. For Nadia and her mother, there is

anger and grief. Everything is destroyed. We have no

words, just sadness. They want Colonel Gaddafi to stand

trial. This week, Britain shifted its position. They now say that

although Colonel Gaddafi must leave power, he could conceivably stay on

in the country if that is what the Libyan people want. But just look

at what has happened here. Look at the sheer scale of destruction.

Hundreds of people died in the battle for Misrata and they cannot

forgive and forget. What they want is justice. However much Britain,

France and America want a quick settlement here, it is difficult to

imagine a political solution that is acceptable to the government in

Tripoli and the people of Misrata. The city is still under attack. A

petrol depot was struck by rockets this week. Hardly conducive to

peace talks. It remains on the war footing. Hundreds of its men have

dug in for miles along the latest front lines. They are organised and

better equipped, even if they cannot always see who they are

firing at. They plan to go all the way to Tripoli but progress has

been far slower than Britain and the West hoped for. It is fighting,

not talking, that concentrates minds here. The rebels say they

will not stop until they force Gaddafi from power and out of Libya.

With NATO's help, they have advanced but they lack momentum.

Britain and others might have little choice but to ride out a war

with no clear end in sight. The UK's Supreme Court has given

more than 1,000 former servicemen the right to argue their case for

compensation over nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s. The veterans

say the radiation they were exposed to caused a series of chronic

health conditions. The Ministry of Defence has always denied the link.

The US, Russia, France and China have all compensated their nuclear

veterans. Our correspondent has the story.

NEWSREEL: Not until ten seconds after you look at the fireball, so

intense that people ten miles away with their backs turned and hands

over their eyes are conscious of the release...

On Christmas Island, I actually witnessed five bomb tests.

Basically, we were given no protection, no warnings, nothing at

all. All we were told to do was to stand, look at the bomb, cover our

eyes up in case we got blinded by the flash. When the explosion

started and the heat and the flash came to us, it was just

unbelievable, sudden, and frightened the lot of us. An awful

lot of men started crying. Ken McGinley was a 19-year-old

soldier when he witnessed Britain's nuclear tests in the Pacific. By

the age of 21, he was invalided out of the Army and has suffered

constant ill-health. The MOD has always denied a link between their

exposure to radioactivity during the tests and any illnesses,

leaving veterans to fight this through the courts.

There is an acceptance by every country in the world, by every

other nation other than the UK, that exposure to this level of

radioactivity is likely to cause damage.

Shirley Denson has also been fighting for answers and an apology

from the Government. Her late husband Eric was an RAF pilot

selected to fly through the radioactive cloud as a nuclear bomb

exploded in order to test it. He was told when he landed that

he'd had far too much radiation to participate in any other tests. His

vomiting started that night and he vomited for five days. The big

impact when he arrived home was this personality change. 18 years

later after four attempts, Eric committed suicide because he

couldn't bear it any more. The MoD says it's grateful to the

servicemen involved in the nuclear tests and that a war pension is

available to those suffering illness or injury as a result of

their service as long as that link can be proved.

I just hope that the veterans and widows and ultimately the children

and the grandchildren will get justice from the supreme court. All

we're looking for is justice. Britain's nuclear veterans are

dying at a rate of three every month but those who remain say

they're determined to continue this battle.

It has been four months since an earthquake and tsunami triggered a

meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan and still, the

debate over the safety of nuclear power continues.

In the Ukraine, an exclusion zone has been in place around one

reactor for 25 years, enabling scientists to study how nature has

coped with the worst nuclear disaster in history. Our science

reporter Victoria Gill joined researchers on a five-day trip to

Chernobyl. For 25 years, this has been no

man's land. An evacuated exclusion zone surrounding the damaged

reactor of Chernobyl's nuclear power station. It is familiar

territory for a team of scientists risking their health to come back

here. They want to find out what happened after the disaster. These

researchers have spent the last decade investigating Chernobyl's

wildlife. They return each year to catch and examine birds and other

animals in the exclusion zone so they can find out how they have

been affected by the radiation. In this post-apocalyptic landscape, it

feels like nature has won. But appearances can be deceptive. Parts

of the exclusion zone are actually quite beautiful. There is an eerie

wilderness. It is perhaps where the myth of flourishing nature has come

from. Biologists say that that is what it is, a myth. Readings 2,000

times what it should be. This small patch of forest is one of the most

contaminated areas. When you go to Chernobyl, there is

a special feeling because there are contaminated areas where you do not

see the contamination. You actually observe it indirectly by less bird

singing in the mornings. Some scientists say the absence of

man has actually brought lots more wildlife into the zone. But this

team claims to be uncovering just how damaging living here really is.

The main message we're trying to get across is that with what we

have found in the birds and insects and mammals, there is a significant

impact of this contamination on both the abundance of these

organisms and the biodiversity and numbers of species existing. It is

directly proportional to the level of background contamination.

In the nearby town of Pripyat, they were preparing to celebrate the

opening of the fairground. The accident then happened. The ferris

wheel was never used. The landscape here might take hundreds of years

to fully recover and the lessons of Chernobyl are only now beginning to

be learned. They could alter the entire nuclear debate.

The impact of Greece's economic crisis on the lives of its citizens

seems to be obscured by the images of violent protests in Athens.

In reality, austerity measures have raised fears of long-term

unemployment across the country and made it harder to keep a small

business afloat. At this time of national belt-tightening our

reporter visited one historic town to find out if life really is

When you look out over the ruins of ancient Sparta, the modern day

sense of peace can be deceptive. Spartans say they are becoming

economic slaves of the politicians in Athens and they are angry.

Meeting under the statue of the warrior King Leonidas, this group

masterminded a 250-kilometre protest march.

Since losing his job, this business graduate has had to move back to

Sparta with his parents. You lose your equality as a citizen. You

cannot offer the community. You cannot offer anything to your

family. Another of the protesters owns a patisserie that is feeling

the strain with the sales down on last year and costs up. He told me

his staff were on shortened hours and he might have to fire some of

them. He fears for his family's future if he fails to meet the

loans he has taken out. The natural splendours of the Peloponnese are

not enough to attract tourists in the numbers needed to revive the

economy, although the potential for foreign investment might be key.

Without its oranges this region would be pretty much lost

economically and given that Greeks are eating 70% less oranges now,

the growers are becoming more radical to keep their business

TRANSLATION: We are having to target exports, particularly to

Russia and the Balkans because that is the only way to sell our

products. The income from that might save our business and help

the Greek economy. With basic products the victims of

recession, there does not seem to be much hope for the ostentatious

spartan bling of this superstore, where customers are in on the

ground. The customers are hard to Welcome. We have some breaking news

- raising the plot to avoid government default, President Obama

plans to deliver a statement as we speak amid signs that a deal was

close for raising the US debt ceiling.

The result would be the lowest level of annual domestic spending

since Dwight Eisenhower was President, but at a level that

still allows us to make job- creating investments and things

like research. We made sure these cuts would not happen so abruptly

that they would drag on a fragile economy. I said from the beginning

that the ultimate solution must be balanced. Despite what some

Republicans have argued, I believe we have to ask the wealthiest

Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share by giving

up tax breaks and special deductions. Despite what some in my

own party have argued, I believe we need to make modest adjustments to

programmes like Medicare to make sure they are around for future

generations. That's why the second part of this agreement is so

important. It establishes a bipartisan committee to report back

by November with a proposal to further reduce the deficit, which

will then be put before the entire Congress for a vote. At this stage,

everything will be on the table, to hold us all accountable for making

these reforms. Tough cuts that both parties would find or objectionable

would go into effect. Over the next few months I will make a detailed

case as to why I believe the balanced approach is necessary to

finish the job. Now, it is this the deal that I would have preferred?

No. I believe we could have made the tough choices required on

entitlement reform and tax reform right now rather than through a

special congressional committee process, but this compromise makes

a serious down-payment on the deficit reduction weak-kneed and

gives each party a strong incentive to get a balanced plan done before

the end of the year. Most importantly, it will allow us to

avoid default and end the crisis that Washington imposed on the rest

of America. It ensures also that we will not face the same kind of

crisis again in six months, eight months or 12 months, and it will

begin to lift the cloud of debt and the cloud of uncertainty that hangs

over our economy. This process has been messy. It has taken far too

long. I've been concerned about the impact that it has had on business

confidence and consumer confidence and the economy as a whole over the

last month. Nevertheless, ultimately the leaders of both

parties have found their way to a compromise, and I want to thank

them for that. Most of all, I want to thank the American people. It

has been your voices, your letters, York emails, York weeks, your phone

calls that have compelled Washington to act in the final days,

and the American people's voice is a very powerful thing. We are not

done yet. I want to urge members of both parties to support this deal

with your votes over the next few days. It will allow us to avoid

default, to pay our bills, to start reducing our deficit in a

responsible way, and it will allow us to turn to the important

business of doing everything we can to create jobs and growth this

economy faster than it is currently growing. That is what the American

people sent us here to do and what we should be devoting all of our

times all-encompassing in the months ahead. Thank you.

That was US President Barack Obama and the White House. He said this

was a deal he did not prefer, but this would allow the US government

to avoid default. He preferred that the wealthier pay their share in

taxes. Everything will be on the table and the government will make

a detailed case for increasing the debt ceiling. We are now joined

from Washington DC by Jane O'Brien. Can you tell us more about what

President Obama said? I think the key to this is that he is talking

about a compromise, a compromise that neither party likes very much.

The Democrats are very concerned that it doesn't raise any revenue

through taxes - the balanced approach the President alluded to

there. The Republicans won't like it because many of them will think

it doesn't go far enough. And of course there are still the tea

Party hold outs who think the debt ceiling should not be raised at all

until much more stringent cuts are made. So there is plenty in this

compromise deal for everybody to hate, basically, and Vicky is -

this is a deal between the leaders and the President. They have to

sell this to the rank and file in their party's and that's why we

will see meetings with all concerned tomorrow. No vote tonight.

All those concerned will be meeting tomorrow with the possible vote.

There is still a long way to go. The deal has not been finalised.

think at this point are both the Republicans and Democrats just

wanted to seal the deal - even both sides were not in agreement in

totality about the debt ceiling just to avoid a default. Well, as I

said, some Republicans don't think default is the Armageddon that many

financial analysts say it would be. So there is still a number of

people on the Republican side who don't think default would be a

problem, and they think this is an artificial deadline. They still

need to be persuaded to vote in favour for this compromise. As I

said, this is a framework for a deal that the party leaders hope

they will be able to sell to their rank-and-file members on both sides

of the House. The Democrats would be pleased with this and the

Republicans would be pleased with this. -- won't be. Canny enough be

persuaded that avoiding default on Tuesday it will be enough for now?

And now that the Government has avoided default, or wise will be on

the ratings agencies, because most of them are saying that, if the

four trillion US dollars in cuts was not met, we could either see a

cut in the outlook or ratings cut. If it is important to remember the

government has not yet avoided default. There has been no deal yet.

This is the framework for a deal. It still has to pass the Senate and

House of Representatives. A vote will not be taking place until

tomorrow and the earliest. Do you are still not out of the words. The

Government could still default if this deal is not passed. I think it

is very important to remember that. The rating you were talking about,

though, could still happen if the government does not avoid default.

At least one of the rating agencies believes the lack of general fiscal

policy makes America a bad bet for investors. If that does happen, we

could see a rise in interest rates which could affect not just the

government's ability to borrow at the cheaper rate but every

American's ability to borrow at a cheaper rate, and that could have a

slowing effect on an already fragile economy and, many say, it

could tip the country back into recession. The what on the

economists and analysts telling you on the ground? What does it mean

for the US economy? The US economy continues to slowdown. It just

expanded more than 1% in the past quarter. Those were horrible

figures that came out on Friday. They should see American economy is

doing very badly indeed at the moment, that growth is barely

perceptible. The big issue that many economists are talking about

is the harm that this uncertainty created by Congress over whether or

not to raise the debt ceiling - for harm that may have already been

done to the economy. There is a lot of talk about business is not

willing to take on new employees because they don't know whether

there will be tax reform. They don't know whether interest rates

will go up as a result of this. So what is very possible that a lot of

harm has already been done. There is also a great concern about

America's standing internationally. We are talking about the biggest

economic powerhouse in the world, and a lot of investors cut a lot of

other nations are looking at America and saying, "you can't work

out how to raise your debt ceiling. What had his fair?" Confidence has

been rattled all ready and whether this can be regained in the coming

months remains to be seen. Briefly, before we let you go, what do the

Americans in general, the people on Main Street, think about this

ongoing gridlock? This indecision among politicians regarding the

debt ceiling? Well, the president's ratings are very low, but most

Americans feel the real blame for this debacle rests with Congress.

Jane O'Brien in Washington DC, thank you so much for that update.

I'm Rico Hizon and this is the BBC. Thank you for joining us for this

The McLaren driver celebrates his 200th Grand Prix with victory in

Hungary. Drama at Trent Bridge - Ian Bell

out and been again as England take We will start with the Formula One.

It was a day to remember for Jenson Button and the hungry Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver marked his 200th race with a thrilling victory in

Budapest, claiming the chequered flag ahead of Sebastian Vettel, but

the German stretched his lead to 83 points.

His 200th Formula One Race - very few drivers have more experience

behind the wheel, and wisdom inside that helmet of 11 years in the

sport served Jenson Button well. He won his first Grand Prix in Hungary

five years ago. From the start he was all over his team-mate, Lewis

Hamilton. More important, both were catching Sebastian Vettel. The

German's lead lasted five laps. Hamilton passed first. Barton used

his fresher tyres to ease past the Red Bull as well. Still a long way

to go under changing skies. It was not white enough for Mick Hide felt.

Hamilton was feeling the heat, too, with Barton catching him. He lost

control as he spun his car back in the right direction in the middle

of the track, almost causing an accident. The stewards' view of

that almost cost him the race. Enough time to go wheel-to-wheel

with Button for the lead. No team orders just great racing. Until the

stewards handed down that punishment. The race was Button's,

only his 11th win in 11 years, but it may be an important one. Let's

go back and bring them all. McLaren will have to be as dominant

in the second half as Red Bull have been for the first because, despite

Button's wing, Sebastian Vettel has stretched his championship lead.

The cricket now. England have the upper hand after day three of the

second Test against India in Nottingham. The hosts reached the

close with a lead of 374 runs but the day will be remembered for a

notable piece of sportsmanship from The incident in question came when

Ian Bell was given out before tea but he then returned after the

break following a change of heart from the Indian skipper. Our

reported in Nottingham describe exactly what happened. With the

final ball before the tea break, Eoin Morgan hit what looks like a

four. Ian Bell began walking to the pavilion but it turned up the ball

had not reached the rope. Kumar threw it back towards the stumps.

India took the bails off and appealed and Ian Bell was stunned

to be given out. The players and umpires walked off the deafening

boos but they tend to cheers when Ian Bell made his way back onto the

pitch after tea. MS Dhoni had withdrawn the appeal after pleas

from England's captain and coach. She has been dubbed the Tiger Woods

of women's golf. In fact she is more successful than he was up 22.

She has won her fifth major title, something no male or female golfer

has done before. She won the Women's British Open with a final

round of 69 in Scotland, good enough for the world number one to

win by four shocks. Scotland's Katrina Matthew was the best-placed

Briton' seven shots further back. She is the first player to

successfully defend her title. One of the story to tell you about.

Barcelona have a new superstar in one of their shirts on Sunday but

the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United should not worry

too much because the play is much more useful with the ball in his

hand. Kobe Bryant lined up in a celebrity football match organised

by a former US football great. He has spoken of his love of football

but perhaps he should stick to the day job, or maybe just ditch the

sunglasses... On his side was Pep Guardiola, and maybe it was a

present that caused him to use his Some hot weather on its way. As the

humidity built, ultimately we will see thunderstorms as we head

towards the middle of the week. Today very pleasant for most of us,

very warm sunshine, getting into the high 20s and places. That is

most likely across the eastern half of the UK. More cloud further west.

The cloud thick enough for some damp weather across Northern

Ireland, Scotland, western fringes of England and Wales. Nothing too

heavy at this stage but not a great start in western areas. Further

east across Wales, probably staying dry with a hope of brightness.

Northern Ireland sees rain fringing into eastern areas. For Scotland, a

lot of cloud, but spots of rain across western areas. Some

brightness and shelter from that southerly breeze as it crosses the

mountains. For more than England, some dampness across Cumbria, but

further east, dry across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and most of the

south-east having a fine start. Already quite warm, and it will be

a nice day with increasingly high temperatures across the south-west

of England. Rather more cloud with dampness for part of west Cornwall

and Devon. That will continue on and off for much of the day. Every

chance that cloud will break across, for example, parts of the East

Wales, maybe down towards Somerset, parts of north-west England. Always

the best of the sunshine further east, rocking up into the mid-to-

high 20s in places. Further west, more cloud, lower temperatures,

some rain turning heavier across Scotland and the Irish Sea. We will

get another full day of play at Trent Bridge. Some warm sunshine.

If you are going, put on sunshine because it will feel pretty hot.

You can listen to the action on Radio 4 long wave. Tuesday, an

increasing threat of more rain through this central slice of the

UK, dividing the hot from the cool air. A lot of uncertainty after

that but, with that concoction of heat and humidity pumping up from

the south, it looks like we could see some significant thunderstorms

as we head towards Wednesday before it turns fresher in those westerly

winds. Don't take this chart literally - just the threat of