30/07/2017 World News Today

Hello I'm Karin Giannone, welcome to BBC World News.

Violent clashes in Venezuela as the country holds

US bombers fly over the Korean peninsula in response to Pyongyang's

And British Royals lead commemorations to mark 100 years

And coming up in Sport: Germany's bid for a seventh consecutive

Women's European Championship title is over a dramatic Danish comeback

It was always likely to be a highly charged

And Venezuela's vote for a new assembly has been

Several people have been killed - including two politicians.

President Maduro is widely expected to secure a victory

that could allow him to change the constitution.

But opposition parties in the oil-rich nation

The BBC's Will Grant reports from Caracas.

This is a very poor sector other low income neighbourhoods in the east of

Caracas, one of the biggest shantytowns in Latin America and

order a government supporters have been turning out to vote. It has

been a slow and steady stream to the polling stations, not the huge

queues we are used to seeing snaking around the block during the days of

President Hugo Chavez. There are controversial elements to this vote,

particularly these points of registration which opposition

members of Parliament say are basically a form of control to make

sure government employees are voting. Nevertheless, those who have

turned out so far say this process is legitimate and necessary for the

peace and security of Venezuela. Today the people will decide the

sovereignty of this country. So, through the constituent assembly the

people will execute -- exercise popular Power, others do not want

the people to decide the future and want to control things in the hands

of the few, that is what we are taking on with this vote. As much as

some are preparing to vote today, others are getting ready for the

other side of the coin, the opposition protest.

TRANSLATION: We are going to keep turning out to

defend democracy in Venezuela. It sounds poetic to say I am prepared

to give my life but the young people have a beautiful saying, they can

take our lives but not liberty. Anything I can do as an individual

and a Venezuelan I'm going to do. So voting will continue throughout the

day and all though this most controversial of votes in Venezuela

perhaps the most controversial of modern times in the country is going

ahead peacefully so far, it does seem like confrontation is still on

the horizon. What is the latest on the violence so far? Having said

things were largely peaceful and at that stage in the day it appeared

they were, things have gotten far worse as the day has proceeded,

there has been sporadic clashes in the east of the city and other parts

of the country we have heard of several politicians being killed on

both sides so it is unfolding into quite a violent chaotic and anarchic

election day. This is such a controversial vote with the

opposition completely boycotting the election that that will hand victory

to the president, no doubt about that but it will not be a victory

that is clear and is uncontested, it'll be a victory of just his most

supporters and those as I indicated in the report who may have come

under pressure to turn out and vote in the first place. Whatever happens

it doesn't appear this will take those steps towards pulling

Venezuela out of its economic malaise, its security and crime

situation and violence and this will go one way beyond this individual

vote about a new constituent assembly. We'll grant, thank you.

The United States has stepped up its response to the latest

Two US Air force bombers have flown directly over the Korean peninsula.

Earlier, President Trump expressed frustration with North Korea's

neighbour China saying Bejing wasn't doing enough to halt

US B-1 bombers dominated the sky as tensions mount over

Escorted by fighter jets as part of a drill it was a direct response

to what is being seen as an increasingly

The US president is blaming China, Pyongyang's biggest trading partner,

Taking to Twitter President Trump said:

Taking to Twitter President Trump said:

Historic ties have become looser and Chinese imports of North Korean

coal have been cut after UN sanctions last year.

China also condemmed Friday's second ballistic missile test.

This powerful rocket flew faster and further than the one before

and could soon be armed with a nuclear weapon.

It's all about getting America to listen.

The North Korean side is definitely sending a message

The missile is aiming at the United States.

They are saying we are going to talk to you.

More joint military exercises a sign that force is not being ruled out,

though pressure is mounting for a diplomatic solution.

A pre-emptive strike could destabilise the entire region,

but how long is Washington prepared to wait?

Here in Seoul, South Korea depends heavily

But the very presence of tens of thousands of US forces here feeds

into Pyongyang's propaganda, that it is under threat,

With the military on high alert the Korean peninsula feels more

Avoiding an ultimate confrontation is now key.

A visiting professor at Georgetown University Centre for Security

studies in Washington, I asked her how dangerous this current situation

is. I do not think it's any more dangerous than has been Franklin the

last 64 years. We just passed the anniversary of the Armistice and the

tensions on the Korean peninsula have always been high because the

Korean War has technically never ended. Some would say that is

extraordinary given what we have seen with the latest missile test

with North Korea, the most powerful yet. Well, yes it may be the most

powerful yet but the point it is not so much this task test, it is

problematic the series and consecutive and ongoing testing that

North Korea is doing because it indicates North Korea is no

progression towards steady and greater development and it is the

totality of the picture that is alarming. There is nothing

particular about this strike, I think, that raises the threat level

any more than at other times. When we see American bombers flying over

the Korean peninsula, how much of the message is that sense to

Pyongyang but also to Beijing saying if you will not do much about this,

we might? Well, that is certainly one perception that is received by

the audience but I think the bigger and stronger message is one of

deterrence, it is not so we're practising because they're going to

make runs of bomb droppings, that is not what they are for, they are to

show the strength and unity of the alliance which is very important to

South Korea's defence and also Japan and all of US allies in the region.

But when you see Donald Trump sending out tweets which has seen

the frustrated with Beijing, how strong is the Alliance? No, I do not

think the two have are related. It has taken six months for President

Tromso come to the understanding that China is not going to act on

behalf of the United States. That is quicker than previous presidents who

her last 16 years have relied on outsourcing the Chinese role to

solve the North Korean problem. President Trump I think his tweets

are confusing to many people as I do not think this is any different. So

this is misguided and China is not so much a solution of some think it

might be? The point is North Korea is often treated as just this

objective actor that if we can just tweak how we try to change our

tactics towards North Korea we will get the result. You have to remember

North Korea is an independent actor and China is acting in China's

interests. These interest and not much United States or any of its

allies. That is the problem. President Vladimir Putin

has confirmed that seven-hundred-and-fifty-five US

diplomatic personnel are to be expelled from Russia

by September the first. He added that further

sanctions against Washington were being considered,

but would not be imposed yet. New US sanctions on Russia

were overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Congress on Tuesday

despite objections A gunman has opened fired

in a nightclub in the German city of Konstanz near the border

with Switzerland, killing one person Police say the attacker,

a 34 year-old Iraqi, was shot in an exchange of fire

with officers as he left A spokesman said there was no

evidence of a terrorist motive. An Israeli court has rejected

the appeal of a soldier Elor Azaria was sentenced to 18

months in jail for shooting dead a 21-year-old Palestinian man

who was lying wounded on the ground. The court ruled that the Palestinian

man did not pose a "real and present danger" and that Azaria violated

the army's rules of engagement. Police in Australia believe

an alleged plot to blow up aircraft Four men have been arrested

after raids on several homes in the Sydney area ,

and suspected bomb Security has been tightened

at airports around the country, with passengers being warned

to expect delays. A suspect is taken into custody

in the Surry Hills neighbourhood of Sydney, one of four people

arrested in raids across the city by heavily armed police and members

of Australia's domestic spy agency. Investigators say they have

information that the plot to blow up an aircraft involved the use

of an improvised device. As roads were sealed off

and properties searched, it has been reported the operation

was not planned but a rapid The Prime Minister,

Malcolm Turnbull, says the authorities have foiled

what appears to be I can report last night

that there has been a major joint counterterrorism operation

to disrupt a terrorist plot A woman who said her son and husband

were among those arrested in Sydney has denied they had any ties

to extremism, but senior police commanders say the raids were part

of an alleged Islamic-inspired plot. Additional security measures have

been put in place at domestic and international airports

around the country. Australia's national terror threat

level remains at probable, which means the intelligence

agencies believe that groups or individuals have the intent

and capability to carry Since 2014, 70 people have been

charged as a result of more than 30 counterterrorism raids

across the country. Still to come, events to remember

one of Europe's bloodiest ever battles, century ago.

Nasa has investigated investigation after confirmation astronauts were

cleared to fly while drunk. The last foot patrol in South Armagh once an

everyday part of the soldiers Lot Mujdza Judy and danger, now no more

after almost four decades. Six were white lion cubs are on the

prowl in Worcestershire Park and have been wrecked met with a roar of

approval. They are cute. Several people have been

killed in Venezuela - in violence surrounding the deeply

divisive election for a new assembly US

bombers have flown over the Korean peninsula in response to Pyongyang's

latest missile test. Now, the sports news. The match

taking place at the moment England and France, deep into the second

half of the women's Euro 2017 quarterfinal and the winner will

meet the hosts in the semifinals, England to Leeds with Jody Taylor

taking the ball into the net on the hour mark. There is 60 minutes

remaining. Germany were knocked out by Denmark. Their third loss in 26

years of these championships. Denmark face Austria who won 5-3

against Spain. Germany play a wonderful passing game and we cannot

complete them from chances but we were in the way all of the time, it

was not like open chances they got, they maybe got one that they should

have scored but we also had one or two that we should have scored on so

maybe 4-3 us would have been the more fair result but there is too

good goalkeepers in the goals. I do not think we were lucky today, it

was not a lucky win, it was a good win. England are closing in on

victory in a fair test of their series against South Africa. England

declared on 313-8 Jonny Bairstow making 63. South Africa lost their

captain without scoring. Ben Stokes on a hat-trick. The four match

series is currently level at one win each. We have done very well to get

the four wickets. Hopefully we can get these two at the moment and

finish it off quickly. Sebastian Vettel has won the Hungarian Grand

Prix to increase his lead in the F1 championship to 14 points. Lewis

Hamilton had to settle for fourth but the team is taking a four-week

break. As the sun sets on this first half of the 2017 Formula 1 season it

is Ferrari who enter the Formula 1 summer holidays with the biggest

smile because they dominated here in Hungary. Sebastian Vettel is

understandably delighted with his days work but is weekend's work.

Mercedes have been less to lick their wounds because it was not

their weekend at Hamilton has cost himself three extra points because

he gave the third-place back to Valtteri Bottas. His head may have

been more ruthless. It is a three-week break in the F1 calendar

and the season resumes at the Belgian Grand Prix in three weeks'

time. Who will it be, Mercedes Ferrari? Bernhard Langer has won the

senior open, record tenth major title on the senior tour. The

Germany when two masters and more than 100 other titles on the mentors

is in great form. His third senior major of the season winning by three

shots in Wales. It is fantastic to win any tournament but to win the

senior Open Championship means a great deal and to have won it three

times now, second time here is pretty amazing achievement and I

look forward to defending it next year. Alexander Christoph has won

the richest one day cyber race. After 100... Came down to a bunch

sprint on the MoU and Christoph got a late charge from the Denmark man.

That is the way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It looks beautiful. Thank

you very much. A service to mark 100

years since the Battle of Passchendaele is taking place

in Belgium this evening. The battle was one of

the bloodiest confrontations of the First World War,

with almost half a million The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

joined King Phillipe Queen Mathilde of Belgium

for the service at the The ceremony included

a rendition of the last post, something which has been heard

in the town every evening Ben Brown is in Ypres to watched

commemorations. A very moving occasion. Yeah, 100 years after one

of the bloodiest battles in human history, what was supposed to be the

war to end all wars. Passchendaele lasted more than three months but in

its there were some half a million casualties on both sides killed,

missing or wounded. A staggering number of casualties and in the end

the British side and Commonwealth side only gained some five miles or

eight kilometres of territory. The British side faced really some

terrible odds on the battlefield, the battlefield had been swamped

with torrential rain, a sea of mud, many drowned in the mud, machine

guns and mustard gas as well. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have

been here for the commemorative events and Prince William spoke of

the need to remember the sacrifice that was made. The battlefields came

to define the war for many British and Commonwealth soldiers. The

defence of the city at such great cost meant it became hallowed

ground. Winston Churchill said of Ypres a more sacred place for the

British race does not exist in all the world. 100 years ago tonight the

British and Commonwealth soldiers would have marched along the road

behind me whether Menin Gate now stands on their way to the front

line for the start of the offensive, the beginning of the Battle of

Passchendaele but many of them would never return. And would die there on

the battlefield. 4000 relatives, descendants of those who fought at

Passchendaele have made their way from Britain to Belgium this weekend

for the commemorative events determined to keep alive the memory

of their ancestors, they brought pictures, letters and diaries and I

spoke to one man whose father had fought at Passchendaele and joint

when he was only 15 years old who fought amid the mud was gassed but

somehow survived and he told me it is so important that the memory of

Passchendaele should not be allowed to fade and future generations are

taught all about it. I spoke to some of the British descendants started

with Philip Cotterell his great uncle Alfred died in the Battle of

Passchendaele. These people really gave everything so we could have the

lifestyle we Leeds today and I think that we are very lucky. I can't

imagine doing it myself. When you go to the cemeteries and see the number

that fell during the Battle of Passchendaele and the whole duration

of the war, it is important to pay respect and to remember so many

people gave their lives to allow us to be here and live our lives as we

do today. Between the British, the French and the Allies and the German

something like 500,000 people were wounded or killed. Unbelievable

numbers. And we won five miles of land which we then gave up again six

months later when the Germans came back again. It is the lunacy of it,

the bravery and to try to remember that must never allow ourselves to

get into the situations. Well, commemorative events this weekend

began at Menin Gate with the playing of the last post, it is played every

evening here as it has been on almost every evening since 1928 and

on Menin Gate more than 50,000 names are listed of the missing from the

First World War stop tomorrow many of the British relatives who are

here will go to a cemetery where thousands of British and Allied war

dead are buried as the commemorative events continue a century after the

start of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest

battles on human history. Thank you. If you want to read more about the

World War I battle of Passchendaele, you can on our website. You can also

find information about other commemorations which began this

evening. Thank you for watching. Hello, it has been all or nothing