Israeli air strikes test ceasefire with Hamas

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. If journalism is the first draft of history, what happens if that draft is flawed? In 1999, four Russian apartment buildings were bombed, hundreds killed. But even now, we still don't know for sure who did it. It's a mystery that sparked chilling theories. I'm Helena Merriman, and in a new BBC series, I'm talking to the reporters who first covered this story. What did they miss the first time? The History Bureau, Putin and the apartment bombs. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

0:47I'm Ankur Desai and in the early hours of Monday 20th October, these are our main stories. President Trump says the ceasefire in Gaza is still in place after Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people and aid deliveries were suspended. as Israel and Hamas blame each other. 20 years of socialist dominance comes to an end in Bolivia as the centrist politician Rodrigo Paz is elected president. A Buckingham Palace source tells the BBC there may be more days of pain ahead as a result of the ongoing scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. Also in this podcast, thieves loot the Louvre in a daring daylight raid escaping with priceless jewels from the famous French Museum.

1:30I was in shock, actually. I couldn't believe that something like that would happen. When we were in the museum, we also told that the security was very low. It didn't look much. It's like a scene from a film. Yeah, you could not make it up. And short stories by Harper Lee, the writer of To Kill a Mockingbird, that were found after her death are being published this week.

1:55We begin in the Middle East, where the fragile ceasefire appears to be back on course after Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of people. It was the worst day of violence in Gaza since President Trump gathered world leaders in Egypt last week beneath a banner proclaiming peace in the Middle East. Mr. Trump said he was confident that the Israel-Gaza ceasefire was still in place and played down the role of the Hamas leadership in the latest violence. We want to make sure that it's going to be very peaceful with Hamas. And as you know, they've been quite rambunctious. They've been doing some shooting and we think maybe the leadership isn't involved in that, you know, some rebels within, but either way it's going to be handled toughly but properly.

2:38More than 40 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed as both sides, Israel and Hamas, blamed the other for violating the ceasefire. Our Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson reports. Nine days of quiet, then this. Gaza ceasefire hung by a thread. as Israel struck targets across the south and center of the strip. In response, it's said, to attacks by Hamas on its troops. Among the targets, a beachfront cafe, where a senior Hamas commander and five other fighters were killed. But doctors said many of those arriving at hospital were civilians, including children. Where is the agreement?

3:23demanded displaced resident Rafat al-Makdid. Where is Trump? And where are those who guarantee this weak deal? Israel's army has denied reports that its response was triggered by a clash between Hamas and a pro-Israel militia in Rafah, saying Hamas had launched several direct attacks on its troops. It released footage showing the moment, it says, Hamas fighters crossed into an area under Israeli military control and were hit by an airstrike. Following Hamas's violation... Shosh Bedrosian is a spokesman for Israel's prime minister. The IDF announced terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire towards our troops operating in the area of Rafah to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, all in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

4:11Now, in response, the IDF began striking in the area to eliminate the threat. Hamas said it remained committed to the truce and had found the body of another Israeli hostage, which it would hand over if field conditions allowed. But its presence on the streets is a reminder that the next steps in this deal, including a transfer of power, still have to be hammered out. Until then, this truce is holding Gaza in a fragile limbo between an unfinished war and a yet unknown peace. Lucy Williamson in Jerusalem. To Bolivia now, and after more than 20 years, the South American country has swung away from left-wing politics.

4:54The newly elected centrist president, Rodrigo Paz, has defeated a right-wing candidate, Jorge Quiroga, in a run-off vote. Both are fierce critics of the Socialist Mass Party, founded by the former president, Ivo Morales, which saw its support collapse in the first round of voting in August. Our correspondent, Aini Wells, has been following the story from neighbouring Brazil. The central senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira has been elected as Bolivia's next president. And as you say, this brings an end to nearly 20 years of continuous rule by the socialist movement for socialism party known as MAS in Bolivia.

5:31Now, I think that the circumstances of this is that there has been this severe economic crisis, severe shortages of fuel leading to long queues at petrol stations, but also a shortage of US dollars in the country, soaring inflation, also a lot of infighting within the ruling Socialist Party, which led many voters to essentially just want change. And I think that is something that Mr. Paz represents for them. And you've mentioned some of the issues that are facing Mr. Paz as he enters leadership. But in terms of how the country might change over the course of his leadership, how would you predict that might look?

6:07Well, he has sort of framed himself as somebody who wants to push certain free market reforms, but also still commit to certain social programs to help the poorest in society. His slogan was capitalism for all. So he's pledged certain economic overhauls, things like making it easier for small businesses to access credit, lowering certain taxes, reducing import tariffs to try and encourage more international trade. but also has been clear that government fuel subsidies that have kept prices lower but have meant that the prices have been below the amount that fuel costs to import, which has led to these shortages, are unsustainable.

6:46And he's said that those subsidies must be reduced. So I think we can see, or we're likely to see, the price of fuel go up in the country, something that could be controversial. I think also his victory will potentially change Bolivia's position on the world stage. Particularly, I think he will try to thaw relations with the United States. The United States and Bolivia haven't had ambassadors, for example, since 2008. The two countries haven't really had much of a diplomatic relationship since then as a result, with the US repeatedly accusing Bolivia of not doing enough to tackle cocaine production, for example, in the country.

7:22So I think Bolivia is going to try, certainly as part of its trade strategy as well, to try and build relationships with the US, with other neighbouring countries, sort of distance itself perhaps from some of its more traditional recent allies, including Venezuela, for example. I think particularly because Mr Paz will be keen to try and secure new foreign investments and exports, particularly of its potentially lucrative supply of lithium and other natural resources. And just lastly, Ione, how do you sense the mood of the country will be in wake of this news and in the coming days, do you think?

7:56Well, I think one of the big challenges for him is that he inherits not just these difficult economic circumstances, but also a very bitterly divided country. For the first time in decades, one person who wasn't on the ballot was the former president Evo Morales, who was disqualified from running for election again because of a ruling that you can't run for more than two terms as president. But he has a very loyal base of supporters who were furious that he wasn't able to run, that have been sort of protecting him as he's been essentially living and hiding in the country at the moment. And there have been some clashes that have at times been violent between some of his supporters and some of his opponents.

8:33So I think there are certainly still factions in the country. And Mr. Paz will have to try to unite a country that's been so bitterly polarised. Ione Wells reporting from Brazil. A manhunt is underway in Paris after thieves broke into the world famous Louvre Museum and stole priceless jewels in broad daylight in a crime which has stunned France. The gang used a truck with a mounted extendable ladder to gain access to the upper floor gallery where some of France's most treasured artefacts were on display. In their rush to make a clean getaway, they dropped a diamond-encrusted crown that once belonged to a French empress who was the wife of Napoleon III.

9:10These tourists who were at the museum were stunned by what happened. I was in shock actually. I couldn't believe that something like that would happen. When we were in the museum, we also thought that the security was very low. It didn't look much, the security. It's like a scene from a film. Yeah, you could not make it up. Our Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield has been following all the drama since it unfolded early on Sunday morning. In broad daylight and with visitors and staff members in the museum, this gang of four people drove up outside the Louvre on the Seine River side of it, parked this vehicle, which is like a vehicle used by removals companies, which has an extended ladder.

9:48And using that, they got access to the first floor of the Louvre, where there's this place called the Apollo Gallery, which they broke into through the window using a disc cutter. Alarms went off, of course. They were in. They had to act very quickly. They threatened the staff who were there with their disc cutter and approached two display cases, broke into them, got these jewels, got out again, and were gone within seven minutes. So the museum staff saw them and followed protocol by alerting police and then keeping visitors away, making sure that human lives were not in any danger. And by the time police could get there, they'd gone.

10:29It was all over. They took eight items of jewellery. They took nine, but left one behind, possibly the most valuable. These items come from what you might call the French crown jewels. Now, the French don't have crown jewels in the same way that the UK, England has crown jewels, because they had the revolution, and most of what had been part of the crown jewels then were all sold off or lost or stolen. But some were retained, and more importantly, after the revolution, in the 19th century, there was a succession of empires and kingdoms of France, Napoleon, Louis-Philippe, Charles X, Napoleon III, who had their own jewels made, which were used to adorn their wives, their queens and emperors.

11:11And so what was taken was this, 19th century jewellery mainly, diadems, necklaces, brooches, eight in all which were taken, belonging to these eminent women. What material value of it is all, I don't know, it'll be a lot, but I mean, quite clearly what upsets most French people is that, you know, it's immense historical and cultural value. These are part of the royal historical patrimony of the country. Hugh Schofield in Paris. If Prince Andrew had hoped to stop distracting from the work of the royal family here in Britain by giving up his titles and honours on Friday because of his connections with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, it hasn't worked.

11:51Police are looking into new claims in the British media that he asked one of his police bodyguards to get personal information about Virginia Giuffre, the woman who alleged she was forced to have sex with him several times, including when she was 17. The Mail on Sunday reported that emails show Prince Andrew passed on her date of birth and social security details to the protection officer, also suggesting she had a criminal record. Prince Andrew has previously denied Ms Dufresne's allegations and said he cannot remember ever meeting her. Senior Government Minister Ed Miliband says the police should investigate the new claims.

12:27They are deeply concerning allegations. I think people will want to look at those allegations and what the substance is behind them. But obviously, if that is correct, that is absolutely not the way that close protection officers should be used. So what lies ahead for the British royal family? Here's our royal correspondent, Daniela Ralph. It's been a really tricky weekend for the royal family and for the king in particular, and it's likely to be a bit problematic in the days ahead as well, particularly with the publication of Virginia Dufresne's memoir, which officially goes on sale on Tuesday.

13:02Now, rather surprisingly, we were able to buy a copy of the memoir this afternoon in a high street bookstore, which had accidentally put the book on sale early. It is not a book that is full of fresh allegations, but it is a really vivid account of Virginia Dufresne's pain and anguish. She writes about the BBC Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. she is critical of the prince. In the book, she says that he failed to communicate any sympathy for Epstein's victims. And she goes into great detail about her treatment at the hands of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, saying that she was used as a sex slave.

13:39Now, all of this is obviously really tricky to shut down for the royal family in any way. There's no getting away from the challenging weekend it has been. Giving up his titles and honours just hasn't taken the heat off Prince Andrew. A royal source told me this evening of their frustration saying that the headlines are taking a lot of oxygen out of the royal room. They're hoping things will settle, but another source has also said that they are expecting more days of pain ahead. And that is really difficult in a week when the king has some really powerful engagements, including that state visit to the Vatican.

14:13Daniela Ralph. Still to come on this podcast. I flew 25 hours to get here. Only reason, the man, Tadej Pogacar, yeah, he's the man. Cycling fans have flocked to Slovenia to take on the greatest of all time, Tadej Pogacar, in his own backyard.

14:42If journalism is the first draft of history, what happens if that draft is flawed? In 1999, four Russian apartment buildings were bombed, hundreds killed. But even now, we still don't know for sure who did it. It's a mystery that sparked chilling theories. I'm Helena Merriman, and in a new BBC series, I'm talking to the reporters who first covered this story. What did they miss the first time? The History Bureau, Putin and the apartment bombs. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

15:21China's top leaders are gathering in Beijing this week to decide on the country's key goals and aspirations for the rest of the decade. With a slowing economy and a trade war with the US, this meeting of the country's highest political body, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, is an important one. What it decides will eventually form the basis of China's next five-year plan, the blueprint that the world's second largest economy will follow until 2030. I've been speaking to our China correspondent Stephen McDonnell in Beijing. In theory, it's China's most important body. But in practice, we don't really know.

16:01Why is that? Because it's all behind closed doors. And we just get this communique at the end, which tells us basically what they've decided. Now, one of the things officially they're supposed to be looking at is the next five-year plan. This is the economic vision for the country over five years. But whether or not they're just going to rubber stamp it through or actually sit down and go through, oh, should we have more of this and less of that? We have no idea. And it's even said that the delegates to this body stay where the meeting's on to avoid anything leaking out during the process. That's how little we're getting from what's happening.

16:43But people who follow the Chinese system will know you've got, imagine it's like a pyramid. There's Xi Jinping at the top. Under him is the Politburo Standing Committee, seven people. Under that's the Politburo, two dozen people. Now they're day in, day out running the country. Then once a year, this group, the Central Committee with hundreds of delegates, gets together. And they're having what's called a plenum and that's what this meeting is to approve the five-year plan also make sort of appointments kick some people out of the party now the reason this is important is because last friday we got this information that all these senior generals have been purged and the thinking is they've been purged at that time so that the central committee can stick new people into the for example the central military commission that's the body which runs the military here So a significant gathering of men in suits.

17:35So what would the ordinary Chinese person make of this meeting then? I don't think they'll be paying much attention to it at all. I mean, really, because like us, they just get an announcement at the end of what's been decided. And that's all that matters. I mean, it's not like we're getting a day in, day out indication of this and that. But that said, if the announcement comes at the end that there will be more of, for example, more emphasis on electric car production or on solar panels, high tech. And this is all likely to be in it because China's really kicking goals in this, you know, part of the economy.

18:14They'll be looking to, I suppose, try and put a greater emphasis on domestic consumption. Now, what that means has got to be, if they're serious about it, and it's not just rhetoric, it's more money into family disposable income. Now, of course, people are going to be paying attention to that. If something comes out and they say, for example, we're going to make childcare more affordable, or we're not going to charge you for this, or we're going to give you some money for that, well, they'll definitely be paying attention if an announcement like that comes on Thursday. Stephen McDonnell in Beijing.

18:46When Cyprus was partitioned in 1974, Turkish troops occupied the northern third of the island in response to an attempted coup that aimed to unite Cyprus with Greece. Still controlled by Turkey, northern Cyprus has just voted its president Ersin Tatar out of office. Instead, voters have overwhelmingly chosen the opposition candidate Tufan Eruman, who has promised to be a unifying influence. And I make this commitment. From this moment, I am no longer the leader of the Republican Turkish Party. From this moment, with complete impartiality, I promise to be a president for all our citizens, irrespective of whichever party they may support.

19:31Mr. Erhürmen is much more supportive on talks with Greek Cypriots to try to reunify the island than Mr Tatar, who was implicitly backed by the government of Turkey. Michael Daventry has more details. For the past 20 years, no sitting president has won a second five-year term in office. And that now also happened to Ersin Tatar, who is seen as close to the government in Ankara. Indeed, several allies of Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, campaigned for him in recent weeks. Yet voters have opted overwhelmingly for his main opponent, Tufan Erhuman. He once talks with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

20:11Its president, Nikos Kristololides, said he was looking forward to meeting him. Michael Daventry reporting. Now the likes of you or I don't usually get the chance to test ourselves against a top sports person. But at the start of this week, the world's greatest male cyclist, Tadej Pogacar, gave amateur riders the chance to do just that. The idea was simple. He would give them a head starts, then chase them up his favourite mountain climb in his home country, Slovenia. More than a thousand people registered to take part, including our Balkans correspondent Guy Deloney, who is also a serious cycling enthusiast.

20:46So he took to two wheels, grabbed his microphone and recorder at the ready to face off against the champion. And he also managed to bring us this reports.

21:01I think what I've engaged to do involves several stupid things at the same time. Firstly, though I ride my bike every day, it's generally for a bit of commuting. Nothing like the 14 kilometre drag of Karavet with its gradients of more than 20 % in parts. Secondly, it's my first time riding a road bike for more than 30 years. Yeah, that could be quite stupid, of course, if you think about it, to challenge the best cyclists in the world at that age with a lack of experience. Mark Corge is a former sporting director for one of the world's top women's cycling teams. But on the other hand, it's also a unique opportunity to measure yourself with Tadej Pogacar, the absolute best in cycling.

21:53So it's really special, yeah.

21:59At least I wasn't going to be facing the world's greatest male cyclist by myself.

22:10The day before the Poggi Challenge, hundreds of people were in a marquee in his home village, Kamenda, watching him at the Giro de Lombardia to his Tour de France, world and European titles. People from 36 countries were taking part, including Tang Li, who travelled from China's southern Guangdong province. I flew 25 hours to get here. Only reason, the man today, Pogacar, yeah, he's the man. Come on! Today, Pogacar credits the ride from Komenda to the top of Karvávets for making him the all-conquering rider he is today. Staging the challenge is a tribute to everyone who supported him along the way, and for his mum, Marietta, it's a way to ensure her superstar son comes home for a few days at least.

23:00We are very happy, but really we don't have time to celebrate. You want him to slow down? Yeah, it would be great. Perhaps next year or the year after it will happen naturally like this.

23:21There are too many people wearing world champion jerseys. How will I know when it's Sadej Pogacar?

23:32and there he goes today pogacar just whooshed past me that didn't take long hoggy passed me within the first two kilometers which was pretty much what i expected but i was in good company because despite the head start only one challenger stayed ahead of the champion until the misty mountaintop finish, 40-year-old British lawyer Andrew Feather.