BBC News Briefing

27 September, 2024

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. Polls indicate that China scores relatively low as an issue for voters in the US. Yet, as Anthony Zurcher explains, there's a reason why Donald Trump has made it a prominent feature of his recent rallies. We're also featuring a BBC Verify analysis of the latest FBI crime data and, from Dar es Salaam, Basillioh Rukanga looks into concerns that Tanzania is sliding back to autocratic rule. Finally, we take a peek at a home under auction in Wales for £0. But first, test your memory of the week's events in the news quiz - Jules and I both scored 5/7.

GET UP TO SPEED

Lebanon's capital Beirut was struck by a series of massive explosions shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the UN. In southern Lebanon, correspondent Orla Guerin surveyed the site of an Israeli strike that, locals say, killed several civilians.

A Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in its dock earlier this year while under construction, according to US defence officials.

British actress Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89. Tributes have been paid by the King and prime minister, as well as numerous co-stars from her illustrious career.

AT THE SCENE

Pennsylvania, USA

Trump bets on anti-China sentiment

A composite image showing Kamala Harris side by side to Donald Trump

When it comes to discussing China, the contrast between Trump and Harris is unmistakable. Credit: Reuters

According to a review by BBC Verify, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has mentioned China 40 times in his five rallies since the presidential debate earlier this month. His is protectionist message is tailored to blue-collar voters in key industrial Midwestern states.

Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

On Monday afternoon, at a barn in Smithton, a small town in rural western Pennsylvania, Trump sat down with a group of local farmers and ranchers for a roundtable discussion specifically about China. Cows grazed peacefully on grasslands lined with dozens of “Trump for President signs”, while Trump supporters decorated two donkeys in “Make America Great Again” gear.

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The farmers, ranchers and business executives on the panel complained about having to compete with heavily subsidised Chinese imports and about the low quality of Chinese goods. The former president emphasised that he would use tariffs to shield the American economy from China. At one point, he spoke of the need to protect the US steel industry to prepare for a hypothetical war with China.

Keep reading

'I'm a capitalist': Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris presented her economic policies at an event in Pennsylvania earlier this week.

Courting crypto: Donald Trump has promised to make America “the crypto capital of the planet” in a bid to win support from the industry.

Meanwhile, in Georgia: New election rules in the battleground state have attracted criticism from both sides of the political aisle, Madeline Halpert reports.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

What latest FBI data shows about violent crime

Violent crime is a key issue in the US election, with research suggesting that many Americans believe it is on the rise. The latest FBI crime data shows otherwise.

Read more >

Tanzania's president Samia Suluhu wears glasses and a black headscarf

Tanzania's poisonous politics

In the span of weeks, two senior opposition leaders have been arrested twice, and another official was abducted, killed and his body doused in acid.

Read now >

A Tirupati laddu, a spherical sweet made with gram flour, sugar, cashews, raisins and cardamom and cooked in “pure cow ghee” – is offered at a temple

Holy sweet at the centre of unsavoury row

Lab reports have shown that sweets offered at a famous Hindu temple in India were contaminated with animal and vegetable fat. A major political row ensued.

Read why >

Part of the Titan sub wreck is seen on the ocean floor in this image by the US Coast Guard

Your weekend listening: The Global Story

Azadeh Moshiri and BBC science editor Rebecca Morelle discuss the most revealing evidence from the OceanGate Titan sub inquiry.

Listen now >

THE BIG PICTURE

The year's best bird photography

A group of 14 helmetshrikes are huddled together on a wire, their white plumage and yellow eyes creating a sharo contrast with the pitch-black background

This photo won the bronze award in the comedy category. Credit: Gary Collyer/Bird Photographer of the Year

The Bird Photographer of the Year award was announced this week. Photographers competed in eight different categories, including a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award. Here is a selection of the pictures that were awarded gold, silver or bronze.

Take a look

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga touch noses in a scene from Joker: Folie à Deux

FOR YOUR DOWNTIME

Take me to the movies

Critic Nicholas Barber picks the best films coming to a screen near you in October.

Explore the list

And finally... in Wales

A three-bedroom house overlooking the Welsh valleys is going up for auction with a £0 guide price. What's the catch, you say? See for yourself what the auctioneer meant in describing the fire-damaged property as being "in a sorry state".

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– Sofia

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