BBC News Briefing

7 August, 2024

Andy McFarlane

Hello. After days of rioting here in the UK, the deputy prime minister has said police "stand ready" to deal with further violence - here's the latest. Reporting from Israel, Jenny Hill finds tension in the northern city of Haifa, where many expect an attack from Hezbollah. In the US, with the White House race in a new phase, Sumi Somaskanda follows the campaign trail to the swing state of Michigan. And scroll down for a criminal case involving cartoon favourite Bluey.

GET UP TO SPEED

A rare incursion launched from Ukraine into Russia is continuing for the second day, with Russian officials saying a state of emergency is in effect in the border region of Kursk.

Police in Austria have ramped up security measures around Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week, after the arrests of two people suspected of planning Islamist attacks on large events in the area.

Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley revealed she has been diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Graves' disease.

AT THE SCENE

Haifa, Israel

Braced for attack but hoping for peace

A ward in the underground hospital has pink walls and metal air vents across the ceiling. Medics in blue scrubs attend to patients in wheeled beds, which are surrounded by equipment and lined against the walls. In the centre of the shot, a female doctor in a white coat gesticulates towards a colleague.

The centre was excavated after the Israel-Hezbollah war of 2006. Credit: Reuters

Deep under this northern Israeli city, there's a vast hospital. Normally a multi-storey car park, it can be converted within three days. Rambam Medical Centre's bunker has been on standby since the 7 October Hamas attacks, amid a heightened threat of war with Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Jenny Hill, BBC News

There are operating theatres, a maternity ward, and medical supplies stacked up in corners. The facility has more than 2,000 beds. In the event of a major attack on Israel, it would take in existing patients from the overground medical centre and other nearby hospitals. And there's room too to treat injured casualties.

As the threat of an all-out regional war looms large following the killing of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr last week, doctors here say they're prepared for a major attack on Haifa. "When, when, when is it going to happen? Nobody knows. We talk about it a lot," says Dr Avi Weissman, the medical director of the centre. People, he adds, are anxious. He and his staff just hope that any escalation of violence doesn’t last long.

Keep reading

On standby: With an estimated 16,000 UK nationals currently in Lebanon, more than 1,000 British military personnel are preparing for a potential evacuation in the event of an escalation.

Hamas attack: The last person listed as missing from the 7 October attack has been identified as killed, Israeli authorities say.

Disease fears: The World Health Organization has announced plans to send 1.2 million polio vaccines to Gaza after the virus was detected in wastewater.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

White House campaign enters new phase

Kamala Harris has brown shoulder-length hair and wears a blue jacket over a pinnk blouse. She smiles and points at Tim Walz, whose hand she is raising. Walz is balding, with white hair and wears a navy suit over a white shirt with blue tie

Ms Harris appeared with her vice-presidential pick at a rally in Philadelphia, hours after making it public on Tuesday. Credit: EPA

Kamala Harris is taking her freshly announced running mate Tim Walz to Wisconsin and Michigan - key swing states in November's presidential election. Mirroring the Democrats' movements with trips to the same states is JD Vance, vice-presidential pick of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Sumi Somaskanda, BBC News

What's the reaction to the campaigning?

Away from the media frenzy surrounding the launch of the Harris-Walz campaign, signs of an enthused, energetic Democratic base in this leafy suburb in western Detroit - near where the two candidates are set to speak later - are harder to find. We've spoken to a number of voters who tell us they're not entirely sure who they want to vote for - or if they'll even vote in November.

What are people's priorities?

Many cite the economy and inflation as their chief concern. One undecided voter told us he's concerned about job security for Americans in such a difficult economic environment - and he's not impressed with the candidates on either ticket.

Anything else?

Another key test for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in Michigan will be winning back the Arab American vote. President Biden's support for Israel in its military campaign in Gaza has angered members of this community and saw Democrats wage a significant protest during the primary election in February: some 100,000 Democrats voted "uncommitted" instead of for Joe Biden (he was, at the time, still in the race).

Follow live

Family matters: Who is Gwen Walz, wife of Harris's VP pick? Ana Faguy has the lowdown.

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Attack lines: Republicans have criticised Tim Walz's response to the mass protests that erupted in his home state of Minnesota after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.

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Pro-China? Tim Walz's critics have also zeroed in on his history with China. But, writes John Sudworth, it's more hawkish than critics claim.

THE BIG PICTURE

Making the Olympics parent-friendly

Aliphine Tuliamuk holds up her toddler onto a structure featuring the Olympic rings.

Marathon runner Aliphine Tuliamuk struggled to find a private space for breastfeeding at the Tokyo Games. Credit: Aliphine Tuliamuk

For the first time in Olympic history, Paris 2024 offers athletes a dedicated space for nursing mothers and child carers. The change is the result of years of advocacy from former Olympic champions like the USA's Allyson Felix. But campaigners think more needs to be done ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

Here's why

A wooden sign welcomes visitors to Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park near Santa Barbara, which preserves Chumash rock art from the 1600s.

FOR YOUR DOWNTIME

California's ancient society

The Chumash likely descend from some of the Americas' earliest settlers.

Find out more

And finally... in Australia

The animated series Bluey is possibly the most popular children's show on television since Peppa Pig. But the show's allure apparently isn't confined to little ones. Australian police have charged a 47-year-old man with stealing more than A$600,000 ($393,500; £309,000) worth of limited-edition coins based on the show that are due to enter circulation next month and are selling for 10 times their face value.

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– Andy

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