welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... it's official — america's 20—year war in afghanistan is over. us generals say the last military flight has left kabul. the flight has left kabul. caliban celebrate with firewor and the caliban celebrate with fireworks and gunfire. —— caliban. the final hours of the american presence marked by controversy over a drone stike this weekend. the us say the targets were is fighters. eyewitnesses say children

were among the dead. lost ten persons include my daughter who was dead. two years old, she was two years old. the aftermath of hurricane ida — the waters are rising in the southern us, as the power was knocked out in new orleans, and people survey the damage. the end of the road for leaded petrol. environmental campaigners welcome the the elimination of the toxic fuel. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's six in the morning in singapore, six in the evening in washington and 2.30 in the morning in kabul. america's longest war is over. a us military aircraft carried the last american troops out of afghanistan early on tuesday.

more than 120,000 people have been moved from kabul. now hundreds of americans and thousands of afghans left behind face an uncertain and dangerous future. general kenneth mckenzie of us central command announced that the us withdrawal from afghanistan was complete. tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation but also the end of the nearly 20 year mission that began in afghanistan shortly after september 11, 2001. it's a mission that brought 0sama bin laden to a just and along with many of his al-qaeda co—conspirators. and it was not a cheap mission. the cost was 2561 us servers members and civilians killed and more than 20,000 who were injured. sadly, that includes 13 service members who were

we honour their sacrifices today as we remember their heroic accomplishments. 0ur i'm joined now by barbra plett usher our corresopndeint in the us, just listening to that pentagon briefing — confirming that the last us flight has left, general mckenzie saying that there was a lot of heartbreak about this departure — talk us through the main points of what he said *0ne well, he emphasised the massive airlift and a mission had accomplished a lot in the sense of getting out more than 120,000 people. he said that not everyone who got out including dozens of americans but even the military phases over this would now moved on to the diplomatic phase, handing it over to the state department to continue efforts to try to help those who wanted to leave, depart the country. on a security point he said that the caliban had been

useful and helpful in the evacuation. that they would have the hands full with the islamic state group militants there. he estimated there were 2000 hard—core fighters, that the territory was high. but they would continue to try to deal with it. he was asked to try reflect more broadly on the end of the 20 yearwar, how more broadly on the end of the 20 year war, how does he feel personally. he said he is served but he didn't really go there. he said we are very focused still on the mission at hand and the return for reflection later.— reflection later. president biden has also come _ reflection later. president biden has also come out _ reflection later. president biden has also come out with - reflection later. president biden has also come out with a - reflection later. president biden - has also come out with a statement in the last few minutes talking about how he will address the american people on that decision not to extend the us presence in afghanistan later on tuesday. what has been the reaction to that? he said has been the reaction to that? he: said he would specifically address this decision not to stand the

evacuation. that that had been the consensus of his military advisers, his generals and felt that the security risk was too great to keep on with it. they were reinforced that feeling by the suicide bombing last week that killed nearly 200 people including 13 service people. a number of women among them. he also said that his secretary of state would carry things on now. and in terms of diplomatic efforts to try to continue to help people get out. this would build on a un security council resolution that had passed on monday. asking the taliban to stick to their promise to let people leave who wanted to leave. and also coordinating with people, countries in the region to make sure that the airport was open. and that un resolution also talked about other expectations from the taliban. things like not creating a safe

haven for terrorists, guaranteeing human rights for women and children and girls and minorities in keeping open humanitarian access. a kind of set of ground rules that the international community agreed on in terms of what they wanted to present this new taliban led government and how to deal with them. just this new taliban led government and how to deal with them.— how to deal with them. just briefly, secretary blinking _ how to deal with them. just briefly, secretary blinking is _ how to deal with them. just briefly, secretary blinking is due _ how to deal with them. just briefly, secretary blinking is due to - how to deal with them. just briefly, secretary blinking is due to speak. secretary blinking is due to speak any minute now.— any minute now. what are you expecting _ any minute now. what are you expecting him _ any minute now. what are you expecting him to _ any minute now. what are you expecting him to say? - any minute now. what are you expecting him to say? i- any minute now. what are you expecting him to say? i think. any minute now. what are you i expecting him to say? i think he will reflect on the way the state department will remain engaged. as all of the speakers have and talking about getting as many people out as possible. still even after the military airlift has ended and talking a little bit more also about how the united states plans to deal diplomatically with the taliban and the taliban band led government. meanwhile the american withdrawal

has been met but celebration by some in kabul. 0ur chief international correspondent lise doucet is there. i mean, listen. listen, look at the tracer fire in the air, the guns are going off. you can see these dreams of red lights, you can see behind me the tracer fire going up in the night sky. all day we had heard the american warplanes circling above the city, flying low as we thought the last american flights were taking off providing extra cover in these last decisive hours. it's now the 31st of august in afghanistan. the day that presidentjoe biden said the american military mission, the 20 year engagement by us—led nato forces would formally end. and this is what you are hearing now. the eruption of celebratory gunfire by taliban supporters

in the city of kabul. meanwhile in the last 2a hours five rockets were the fifth was neutralised by an american antimissile system. the pentagon says it also targeted an isis vehicle that was heading towards kabul airport. vehicle that was heading towards kabulairport. reports vehicle that was heading towards kabul airport. reports suggest the drone strike also killed tens civilians, including several small children. the dead were all from a single extended family and were getting out of a car in their driveway when the strike hit the nearby isis vehicles. secunda commodity has this report from kabul. fla mes fla m es lea pt flames lea pt from flames leapt from a car after militants from islamic state group music to launch rockets a kabul airport.

they were intercepted by a missile defence system. but planes landing today fired flares to try and protect themselves from further attack. nearby, a family combs through the wreckage of a us drone strike launched yesterday. relatives and neighbours are collecting remains of the victims to bury. they angrily reject american claims the vehicle targeted was being used by a suicide bomber from the islamic state group. "if there was a bomb inside, the car would've been blown up," says this man. amongst those killed, two—year—old sameya, 12—year—old farzad, and these two twins, as well as narsa, who had previously worked alongside american forces.

the family was hoping to be evacuated out of the country. my brother came from his work, wanted to park the car in here, and there were children that was in the car, on the time it was happening. and how many people from yourfamily died? ten person has died in here. we lost ten person, including my daughter, who was dead. two years old. what happened here appears to be an awful human tragedy. it also underlines the challenges the us is going to face in trying to target militants from afar and the terrible consequences ordinary afghans have to pay. the us has said it's assessing and investigating reports of civilian casualties, but insists an imminent threat to the airport was disrupted. nobody wants to see innocent life taken. we take it very, very seriously, and when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, we're transparent about it. we're investigating this. i'm not going to get ahead of it. the evacuation effort is now

in its very final stages, with us soldiers being flown out ahead of tuesday's withdrawal deadline. many afghans remain desperate to leave the country. at this bus stand in kabul, many are headed for the iranian border. nearly all are hoping to be smuggled across. passenger numbers have more than doubled in recent weeks. translation: the previous government only cared - about getting rich themselves. now the the taliban are here, there are nojobs, there's no work anywhere. i need to be able to feed my kids. everything has become more expensive. we can't live here any more. a new era in afghanistan is about to begin. the taliban say they're bringing peace and ending corruption, but for those here, the deep uncertainty that has accompanied their arrival is a final push towards a new life. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul.

meanwhile, the un security council has adopted a resolution calling on the taliban to honour its promise to ensure safe passage for people trying to leave afghanistan. it has also reiterated its promise to tackle the threat of terrorism in the country. this was what the united states ambassador to the un had to say. last week's horrific attack in kabul demonstrated the very real threat that terrorist groups like isisk pose. president biden has made clear that we will do what's necessary to defend our security and our people. and the entire international community is committed to ensuring that afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorism. the us ambassador to the united nations talking about to continue working to maintain afghanistan

stability even after the us has left. meanwhile in other headlines today. hurricane ida, landed a category 4 hurricane, and blew through south east louisiana maximum recorded sustained winds of over 240 kilometres an hour. today the search and rescue teams were fanning out across the state to assess the scale of the damage. and it is widespread. there have been reports of people climbing into attics to escape the rising waters flood. it's not as bad as katrina, which devestated new orleans 16 years ago — it would appear the levees, barriers and pumps have done theirjob — but still, there are a million people in and around the city without any power, and they will be for some time. from new orleans here's our correspondent neda tawfiq. this force of hurricane ida's wins.

a hospital's roof was lifted off by ease by the gas. ——gusts. low lying areas were overwhelmed by the tidal surge. ——gusts. low lying areas were overwhelmed by the tidal surge. this footage from a fire station in delacroix, louisiana, captured the rush of water as the night wore on. in new orleans, the entire city went dark as the storm raged outside, the transmission tower toppled into the mississippi river. at this hotel, workers struggled to get their generators running. all across southern louisiana, the painful task of surveying the damage under her ida is under way. —— under hurricane ida. the destruction is immense and the situation for some is desperate. injefferson parish emergency services have received at least 200 rescue call since last night. there, the rising waters and intense winds left communities in tatters. clarence has lived here for 50 years and says this is the worst

storm he's lived through. it's terrifying. i mean, we're in the bedroom, it started leaking, and then we come out the bedroom and go into another room — it started leaking in that room. and then finally we came into the living room and the dining room here, this was the only room where it didn't really leak. it leaked, but it didn't leak that bad when the sheet rock fell in. without proper shelter, power or water, he has no choice but to leave. his dilemma now — where to go. hurricane ida strengthened so rapidly that it gave people here very little time to prepare or evacuate. for those who stayed, the night was scary, but seeing the fallout the morning after has been even harder. along the roadways, closed and impassable in many areas, we found this family walking to find food. the storm's strong winds ripped their trailer apart in the middle of the night. they took shelter at a neighbour's house. ain't got nothing left. house is gone, car's gone...

she 5035 i'm sorry. emergency crews are focused on rescue operations. the next step recovery will be long and difficult. devastating for those family going through this right now. you're watching newsday on bbc. let petrol has been eradicated throughout the world describing it as the ever toxic era. she received the nobel peace prize for her work with the poor and the dying in india's slums. the head of the catholic church had said mother teresa was a wonderful example of how to help people in need. we have to identify the bodies,

then arrange the coffins and take them back home. parents are waiting, and wives are waiting. hostages appeared — - some carried, some running — trying to escape the nightmare behind them _ britain lost a princess today. described by all to whom she reached out as irreplaceable", out as "irreplaceable", an early—morning car crash in a paris underpass ended a life with more than its share of pain and courage, warmth and compassion. this is newsday on the bbc. 0ur headlines. it's official — america's 20—year war in afghanistan is over.

us generals say the last military flight has left kabul. the final hours of the american presence marked by controversy over a drone stike this weekend. the us say the targets were is fighters. eyewitnesses say children were among the dead. let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk... the latest data shows that covid cases in scotland have roughly doubled every week since restrictions eased, leading to an increase in hospital admissions. more than 500 people are currently in hospital with the virus and case numbers hit a record high at the weekend. the latest who figures show that lanarkshire and glasgow's health board areas have europe's highest case rates. meanwhile, scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon has tested negative for covid—19 after being notified that she had been in close contact with someone with the virus.

ms sturgeon had gone into self—isolation on sunday but no longer needs to isolate as she is double vaccinated. the british tabloid newspaper, the sun, has paid damages to england cricketer ben stokes and his mother after the newspaper published a story that detailed a family tragedy. deborah stokes took legal action over the september 2019 front—page article, saying it exposed private information that was not in the public interest. the sun initially defended the story, but has now apologised to the family. the united nations environment programme says the use of leaded petrol has been eradicated worldwide. algeria, the last country to use the fuel, exhausted its supplies last month, nearly a century after doctors first issued warnings about the toxic effects of leaded petrol.

the un described the news as a huge milestone which would prevent more than a million premature deaths a year. the secretary general of the united nations, antonio guterres, hailed the end of the use of leaded petrol as a huge milestone and said it would save millions of lives. today we celebrate a milestone for multi—lateralism, a culmination of a united global effort to rid the world off lead in petrol and measures to human and planetery health. this international success story comes after a 20 year public and private iniative, led by the united nations environment programme. when the campaign begun, 86 countries were still using leaded fuel. today there are none. i'm joined by the director and a professor at boston college. great to have you on the programme today.

this is a huge milestone, isn't it? as we've heard, top dress why so significant. in as we've heard, top dress why so significant-— significant. in norma's. lead first went into petrol— significant. in norma's. lead first went into petrol 99 _ significant. in norma's. lead first went into petrol 99 years - significant. in norma's. lead first went into petrol 99 years ago - significant. in norma's. lead first went into petrol 99 years ago in i went into petrol 99 years ago in 1922. we started the effort to remove lead from gasoline in the early 19705 when we realise that even the smallest level of lead in the environment and in children causing damage, reduce their iq and disrupted their behaviour. this announcement is the culmination of a four year campaign announcement is the culmination of a fouryear campaign to announcement is the culmination of a four year campaign to remove lead from gasoline around the world. —— 40 from gasoline around the world. —— a0 year5. from gasoline around the world. —— a0 years. it's quite an extraordinary trial. 40 years. it's quite an extraordina trial. ~ ., extraordinary trial. what were the toxic effects _ extraordinary trial. what were the toxic effects and _ extraordinary trial. what were the toxic effects and concerns - toxic effects and concerns surrounding the use of leaded petrol? specifically what dangers did they pose? the petrol? specifically what dangers did they pose?— did they pose? the danger to children and _ did they pose? the danger to children and adults. - did they pose? the danger to children and adults. in - did they pose? the danger to i children and adults. in children did they pose? the danger to - children and adults. in children it target5 children and adults. in children it targets the brain, it causes children to lose iq, shorten their

attention span, di5rupt their behaviour it leads to early life exposure behaviour it leads to early life expo5ure lead5 behaviour it leads to early life expo5ure leads to school failure, diminished achievement in life. it increases risk even of criminalisty. in adults expo5ure increases risk even of criminalisty. in adults exposure to lead increa5e5 in adults exposure to lead increases risk for heart disease and stroke. and kidney disease. why was it perva5ive for so long given all of the dangers that you've outlined? i think what has happened with lead over the last a0 year5 think what has happened with lead over the last a0 years is a microcosm of the whole problem we have around the world of chemical pollution. thousands of chemicals are pumped out into the environment every year, they are not properly tested before they go on the market. early warnings of hazards are ignored, a5 early warnings of hazards are ignored, as it happened in the 19305 and a05 with lead in gasoline. and the result is people around the world and most often children suffer the brunt. the chemical industry

profits but children are damaged. the global system of chemical regulation is broken and needs very badly to be fixed.— badly to be fixed. director of ulobal badly to be fixed. director of global observatory - badly to be fixed. director of global observatory on - badly to be fixed. director of i global observatory on pollution badly to be fixed. director of - global observatory on pollution and global 0b5ervatory on pollution and how. thank you forjoining u5 global 0b5ervatory on pollution and how. thank you forjoining us on extremely x two important milestone. meanwhile the uk is well known for its unpredictable weather which is why many in the countryjet off to warmer clime5 for their summer holidays. but with the end but not holiday5. but with the end but not ongoing pandemic and many country still require quarantine upon arrival it's been a year in which many have chosen to stay a little closer to home. that has had a welcome effect on local businesses who we re were so were so impacted by the pandemic. duncan kennedy report5 were so impacted by the pandemic. duncan kennedy reports from bournemouth. this has been the summer where we stayed and played.

these summers gone very, very well indeed. we sent occupancy restaurants have been booming, we've had a large number of attractions and events, they've been very popular indeed. it's been so busy even hotel managers have helped clean rooms. so three questions. have you had a problem with the pandemic was back yes. have you have a problem with staff shortages? yes. but overall has summer 2021 bit of success. yes, yes. all 32 rooms have been full all summer. success. yes, yes. all 32 rooms have been fullall summer. but... is success. yes, yes. all 32 rooms have been full all summer. but... is it sustainable. _ been full all summer. but... is it sustainable, i— been full all summer. but... is it sustainable, i don't— been fullall summer. but... is it sustainable, i don't know. once everything _ sustainable, i don't know. once everything opens up i don't know people _ everything opens up i don't know people will come back to the uk. city breaks are also booming. here at salisbury cathedral numbers but not numbers have doubled last summer. has stayed patient saved the day for the cathedral? it

summer. has stayed patient saved the day for the cathedral?— day for the cathedral? it certainly made a huge _ day for the cathedral? it certainly made a huge difference. - day for the cathedral? it certainly made a huge difference. we - day for the cathedral? it certainly made a huge difference. we are i made a huge difference. we are seeing people coming to salisbury and salisbury cathedral from seeing people coming to salisbury and salisbury cathedralfrom right across the country. were feeling very positive about the future but knowing we still got quite a long way to go. knowing we still got quite a long wa to no. �* ., ., knowing we still got quite a long wa too. �* ., ., , way to go. and what do visitors think about _ way to go. and what do visitors think about having _ way to go. and what do visitors think about having holidays - way to go. and what do visitors think about having holidays at i way to go. and what do visitors - think about having holidays at home the share? aha, think about having holidays at home the share? �* .., , think about having holidays at home the share? ~ _, , ., ., think about having holidays at home the share? ~ , ., ., ~ , the share? a couple of long weekends here and there — the share? a couple of long weekends here and there because _ the share? a couple of long weekends here and there because just _ the share? a couple of long weekends here and there because just as - the share? a couple of long weekends here and there because just as much. | here and there because just as much. it's here and there because just as much. it's harder— here and there because just as much. it's harder work than a holiday dating — it's harder work than a holiday dating abroad _ it's harder work than a holiday dating abroad but _ it's harder work than a holiday dating abroad but we've - it's harder work than a holiday l dating abroad but we've enjoyed it's harder work than a holiday - dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when _ dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when the _ dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when the weather— dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when the weather standards - dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when the weather standards a - dating abroad but we've enjoyed it. when the weather standards a bit i when the weather standards a bit easier _ when the weather standards a bit easier. but— when the weather standards a bit easier. �* , , ., ., when the weather standards a bit easier. �* ,, ., ., , , easier. but the issue now for places like salisbury. _ easier. but the issue now for places like salisbury, bournemouth - easier. but the issue now for places like salisbury, bournemouth and i easier. but the issue now for places | like salisbury, bournemouth and the other holiday destinations is what happens next. as the summer tape is a way they've got the autumn to think of but crucially they are really looking ahead to a summer of 2022. a summer they hope will see more of us holidaying at home. that's all that we have time for our newsday. before we go i want to remind you of our top story. the united states has completed its

withdrawal from afghanistan after a military occupation that has lasted nearly 20 years was that we are waiting for the secretary of state to speak so stay with bbc news. hello there. many parts of the uk will have another cool and cloudy day on tuesday. monday the sunshine was restricted more to sheltered with sunshine in the southwest before the cloud increase. temperatures reached 20 degrees in plymouth. highest temperature, castle dirt in northern ireland. only 15 degrees in ireland and scarborough. and this was the cool and great picture that we had in east structure. we've got east blum high—pressure is sitting to the northwest of the uk. the winds around the coming in from the north sea, pushing in the cloud. we start

tuesday with a blanket of cloud against most of england and wales temperatures 11—13 . because of the thinner in scotland and northern ireland so the coolie here first thing. we should see a bit more sunshine breaking through the cloud. across central parts of western scotland and northern ireland as well and i'm hopeful that across east anglia and southeast the kabul thin and break to get some sunshine at a time. further north likely to keep a lot of clout. still maybe some drizzle. the winds coming in off the north sea, not can be very warm down the east coast of scotland nor indeed the east coast of england, temperatures 15 — 17 degrees with that at best and the sunshine may be 20 celsius once again. many places and didn't the day cloudy on tuesday. should be a decent enter today for northern island, western parts of scotland. the high—pressure is still sitting to the northwest of the uk on wednesday. it's not going anywhere just yet. we got stronger winds on the east coast of england through channel affecting the southeast of england. i think they will be more

cloud on wednesday here. back to cloudy skies, maybe a drizzle pretty cloudy skies, maybe a drizzle pretty cloudy across most of england and wales was that we may get some sunshine in cumbria or likely in northern ireland and perhaps more of scotland where temperatures will reach 20 or 21 celsius in this cell sue two central lowlands. when is probably a bit lighter on this day most of england and wales with it may be getting some sunshine in cumbria, west wales. again the sunnier, blue skies more likely in scotland or ireland, temperatures under the cloud around eight or 19 degrees was up as we head into the weekend it's high—pressure starts to move away for the signs of more unsettled weather with rain on the horizon.

this is bbc news, the headlines. the us military hasjust announced the completion of its withdrawal from afghanistan — after a mission lasting nearly twenty years. general frank mckenzie who has overseen the pull—out said the us had evacuated nearly eighty—thousand civilians from the capital kabul in the past few weeks. the final hours of the american presence was marked by controversy over a drone stike this weekend. the us say the targets were i—s fighters. eyewitnesses say children were among the dead. rockets were also fired towards kabul�*s international airport earlier on monday. so called islamic states claimed responsibility for the attack. the us says all 5 rockets failed to hit their target. the un security council has adopted a resolution to ensure safe passage for afghans trying

to leave afghanistan. president macron had suggested there should be a designed �*safe zone' at kabul airport for afghans wishing to leave.