shocking failings and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major religious groups have handled allegations of child abuse. an independent inquiry finds some religious leaders discouraged the reporting of abuse — in order to protect the reputation of their organisations. we looked at thejewish religion, we looked atjehovah�*s witnesses, we looked at 38 in total. i think we found failings in every organisation we looked at. failings were found among groups including jehovah's witnesses, islam, and orthodox judaism. we'll have much more on that report. also this lunchtime: a state of emergency in new york. at least eight people have died in flash flooding. three inches of rain fell in one hour in central park.

the foreign secretary says the uk will need to engage with the taliban about reopening kabul airport and getting people out of afghanistan. dame sarah storey, record—breaker, history maker! sarah storey becomes britain's most successful paralympian of all time — a remarkable ride in tokyo bringing her her 17th gold medal. it still feels a bit like an out—of—body experience. it's like you're watching somebody else go through that. it's very, very hard to put into words. # you can dance, having the time of your life...#. and... mamma mia — are abba about to release new music, nearly a0 years after they last performed together? and coming up on the bbc news channel: england put india in to bat in the fourth test, their bowlers looking to make inroads at an overcast oval — the series tied at 1—1.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. a public inquiry has found shocking failings and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major religious groups have handled allegations of child abuse. the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse says a number of religions — including thejehovah's witnesses, orthodoxjudaism and islam — are morally failing children. it found that in some cases, religious leaders discouraged the reporting of abuse, in order to protect the reputation of their organisations. the report has been produced at the end of weeks of public hearings, in which survivors of abuse gave evidence.

our home affairs correspondent is with me. this report only out in the last hour so explain some of the key findings. the last hour so explain some of the key findinus. , , ., findings. the independent inquiry, a ublic findings. the independent inquiry, a public inquiry. _ findings. the independent inquiry, a public inquiry. has _ findings. the independent inquiry, a public inquiry, has looked _ findings. the independent inquiry, a public inquiry, has looked at - findings. the independent inquiry, a public inquiry, has looked at the - public inquiry, has looked at the catholic church and the anglican church, this is about 38 other religious organisations, a wide range of organisations ranging from jehovah's witnesses in some cases to an organisation representing 100 synagogues in the orthodox an organisation representing 100 synagogues in the 0rthodoxjewish tradition and a number of major mosques. the inquiry found problems across the board really. to sum them up, victims being blamed for reporting child sexual abuse, matters of sexuality not been discussed for religious reasons, making it harderfor discussed for religious reasons, making it harder for children to disclose. the abuse of power by religious leaders, many of whom were men. mistrust of organisations outside the religious orders, for example, the police. and misusing the concept of forgiveness is the inquiry says. they are saying that religious believers, this is a quote, can find religious believers, this is a quote, canfind it religious believers, this is a

quote, can find it difficult to accept that members of their congregation or religious leaders can perpetrate abuse. as a result, some consider it not necessary to have specific child protection procedures or to strictly stick to them. it is a big report, but to give you some idea of what this is about. one focus was the jehovah's witnesses which is quite a big religious organisation from the christian tradition across the uk. they have a biblical rule which says they can only consider allegations when there are two witnesses. of course, in the case of child sexual abuse, there is usually only the person involved in the abuse present. the jehovah's person involved in the abuse present. thejehovah's witnesses do have a policy of reporting everything to the inquiry says this two witness rule has to stop because it is creating the wrong environment for these allegations to be properly considered. find for these allegations to be properly considered. �* . ., considered. and have we had responses. — considered. and have we had responses, reaction - considered. and have we had responses, reaction from - considered. and have we had l responses, reaction from some considered. and have we had - responses, reaction from some of those who have lived through the abuse? ., ., , abuse? one of the most outspoken jehovah's witnesses _ abuse? one of the most outspoken jehovah's witnesses campaigners l abuse? one of the most outspoken i jehovah's witnesses campaigners says jehovah's witnesses campaigners says this report is wishy—washy, in his words. it is true that the press

release sent out with the report is quite strongly awarded to, the report itself less so. the strongly birdied. but it is not the end of the process for the child sexual abuse inquiry, they have report coming out next year summing up 13 major investigations and a key decision is whether to recommend mandatory reporting which makes it a criminal offence for people working with children not to report any evidence they have of child sexual abuse. . ~' ,, evidence they have of child sexual abuse. ., ~ i. ., evidence they have of child sexual abuse. ., ~ ., ., , at least eight people have died in flash flooding in new york and its surrounding areas, as tropical storm ida brought a month's worth of rain to the east coast of the united states. three inches of rain fell in central park in just one hour. a state of emergency has been declared, with the mayor of new york city, bill de blasio, describing the flooding as "brutal". lebo diseko reports. it's floating! the streets of new york, as the city was hit by the fury of storm ida. oh, my god, this poor

person's floating. roads turned into rivers, as the city was deluged with rain. at least one body was pulled from a vehicle that was swept away. the city's subway network forced to a standstill, as what looked like waterfalls submerged platforms, tracks and trains. play was interrupted at the us open. the venue's roof no match for the rain. even leaving as the flood warning came in didn't prevent being caught in the storm. it literally was torrential, coming down from left to right. there were a number of cars that have been abandoned, sort of owners trying to get out. i spoke to one guy who had to climb out of the window of his car as the waters were rising, and so then the bus driver, who was an absolute hero, managed to carry on and pull through the water. at one point, it was up to two or three feet in the bus itself, the water was coming through.

in neighbouring newjersey, planes were grounded overnight, conditions too dangerous to fly. ida hit louisiana as a category four hurricane on sunday. the state is still reeling from its impact. it's since been pushing up across the east of the country — now a tropical storm, but still causing destruction. there have been several deaths in new york city. the mayor has declared a state of emergency for what he called a historic weather event, which brought brutal flooding to the city. lebo diseko, bbc news. dame sarah storey has become great britain's most successful paralympian of all time, after succesfully defending the women's c4—5 road race title she's held since london 2012. dame sarah's remarkable ride in tokyo brought her the 17th gold medal of her career, across two disciplines. she started in the competition in the pool, as a teenager.

0ur sports correspondent andy swiss was watching in tokyo. hurtling into history — the moment dame sarah storey went where no british paralympian has gone before. amid torrential rain, though, how she had to work for it. storey stayed out of trouble before, on the last lap, she surged clear with team—mate crystal lane—wright. but come the final sprint, there was only going to be one winner. the result, an unprecedented feat for british sport. commentator: 17th paralympic gold medal for her. _ it's the culmination of a remarkable career. born without a functioning left hand, storey started as a swimmer. she was just 1a when she won her first paralympic gold, before she switched to cycling — with now record—breaking results. and after standing on top of the podium for the 17th time, even she could hardly believe it. it still feels a bit like an out—of—body experience, it's like you're watching somebody else go through that. it's very, very hard to put into words. i've worked for this for such a long time.

it's very strange, so i'm hoping that over the course of the next few hours, you know, and the next day, before i get home, it starts to think in. it's now nearly 30 years since storey made her paralympic debut, but those closest to her say her drive and determination are stronger than ever. she'sjust amazing, like, how she manages to, you know, find new ways, you know, being in different environment chambers, at high altitude, just to push her body even more, and she's just able to do that. and i think there are very few people in the world that are able to do that — it wasn't britain's only cycling success of the day. ben watson won his second gold here in the time trial. and there was also gold in the pool, as bethany firth took the 100 metres backstroke for the third games in a row. but the result of the day was in the athletics. a paralympic proposal for cape verde's keula nidreia pereira semedo

from her guide runner manuel, and to everyone's delight, she said yes. talk about a fairy tale finish! a nice surprise in the athletics and in the pool, ellie simmonds has announced this will be her last paralympics. she has had a remarkable career, winning five gold medals, but she says she won't be competing at the next games in three years time. andy, thank you. andy swiss in tokyo. and we stay in tokyo. stephen park is gb cycling's performance director. hello, thank you so much, and let's talk about sarah storey, what an achievement, what determination. your thoughts about what she has achieved? just your thoughts about what she has achieved? , , . , achieved? just incredible, dame sarah storey. — achieved? just incredible, dame sarah storey, 28 _ achieved? just incredible, dame sarah storey, 28 medals, - achieved? just incredible, dame sarah storey, 28 medals, 17 - achieved? just incredible, dame | sarah storey, 28 medals, 17 gold medals, 12 of them were cycling. but also, previous medals, five gold, eight silver and three bronze medals with swimming before the 2,000 games when she switched to cycling. it is

an absolute lifetime's work for sarah to be winning paralympic medal after paralympic medal, over eight separate paralympic games, quite incredible and an inspiration for everybody in peril of export. film. everybody in peril of export. oh, isn't she? _ everybody in peril of export. oh, isn't she? we're _ everybody in peril of export. oh, isn't she? we're all— everybody in peril of export. 0h, isn't she? we're all feeling like terrible underachievers today! and just watching those pictures, a lot of us here the uk are transfixed by the conditions she had to do that final riding as well, my goodness! yes, it has been odd because we have been here for both the olympics and paralympics over the last seven weeks, there have been one or two very light showers, no real rain, it has been very hot and very humid. well, today, the conditions were completely humid. i think that sarah was feeling quite at home. it was most reminiscent of the training rides in the peak district today. 17 degrees, it was absolutely tipping down all day, they were soaked to the skin before they even crossed

the skin before they even crossed the start line, let alone by the finish. but that didn't seem to stop any british rider, we had a fantastic day, winning two golds and two silvers, another great day for british cycling and paralympicsgb. i wish we could talk about everybody's achievements, but thank you very much finau. thank you very much indeed. —— thank you very much for now. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, has held talks in qatar about the situation in afghanistan — in particular, the prospects of the taliban reopening kabul airport. mr raab said his priority is to secure safe passage out of the country for the remaining british nationals and the afghans who worked with them. 0ur diplomatic correspondent, james landale, reports. dominic raab in qatar this morning, visiting a centre where some of those fleeing afghanistan have been processed. for many, the gulf state was their first stop after escaping kabul, and it's from here where some will eventually head for britain.

but what of those left behind? the focus of mr raab's talks with qatari leaders, with the prospect of persuading the taliban to reopen kabul airport and provide a route out for british nationals and afghans who are at risk and wish to leave. the foreign secretary said ensuring safe passage would be an early test for the taliban. i do think we feel a responsibility to make sure that the remaining british nationals and afghan workers can come to the uk. that's why we watch with great interest what may be possible at kabul airport. but we're also here, and i'm here notjust in qatar, but moving on afterwards, to talk to regional countries about how we can ensure safe passage through third countries. qatar already has a technical team at kabul airport discussing what needs to be done to resume flights, and qatar's foreign minister was optimistic. we are working very hard, and also engaging with taliban to identify what are the gaps and the risks for having the airport

back up and running. but we will remain hopeful that we will be able to operate it as soon as possible. the foreign secretary said britain would not formally recognise the new taliban government, but it did want what he called "direct engagement". that's already begun here in the qatari capital of doha, where the taliban have a political office, and where the british embassy to afghanistan will now be based. a senior british official, sir simon gass, has held talks with taliban officials here and will brief the foreign secretary on their outcome. 0n the next step of a tour that critics say has come far too late, mr raab will head for pakistan. his aim, he said, was to form an alliance of nations, to exert maximum moderating influence on the taliban. james landale, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is in westminster. is there a shift at all in the way the uk government is talking about

taliban or having to talk about the taliban, what is your sense here? i think it has been pretty clear from the start there has had to be some kind of relationship and engagement with the taliban and we are now seeing and hearing what that looks like. as the foreign secretary said, as you heard injames's report, the need for direct engagement, he said, was clear. and i think that essentially means that the uk may not like the taliban, they may not formally recognise them as afghanistan's new government, but they are in control and they need to have some kind of a relationship firstly and most depressingly because of the need to get british citizens and others who would be allowed to come to the uk out of afghanistan. will the taliban allow kabul airport to reopen? the longer that process goes on and more protracted it becomes, the more of a problem it will be for the government back here is the plight of those people begins to emerge. beyond that, i think there will be i

hope that with engagement comes influence, allowing aid agencies into afghanistan to avoid a humanitarian crisis. and also, taking the taliban to task over their commitment to human rights and their commitment to human rights and the role they will allow women and girls to play in society under them. back here, the recriminations continue over the rapid rise of the taliban and the uk's withdrawal. the defence secretary ben wallace has said to an interview with the spectator magazine that the game was up spectator magazine that the game was up back injuly in terms of keeping the taliban at bay. we are told he didn't want to criticise or contradict anything the foreign secretary has said. sources close to dominic raab says he doesn't want to be drawn into a blame game. the result is a bit of an unsightly scrap over who may or may not have seen this coming, but the practice collectively, the government didn't and it is now dealing with the consequences.— and it is now dealing with the consequences. and it is now dealing with the conseuences. ., ., «mm ., ~ consequences. jonathan blake, thank ou. it is now two weeks since the taliban captured kabul, and while the group is still to announce the make—up of a government for afghanistan, the country's economy is on the verge of collapse. prices are rising and it is

extremely difficult for people to get hold of cash. the bbc�*s south asia correspondent yogita limaye reports. after weeks of witnessing chaos, fearand grief, kabul airport is now still. flights from the capital are likely to resume soon, with help from qatar. and a new taliban government is expected to be announced in a few days. but with the group saying women won't be included in senior positions, there are doubts about claims that it will be an inclusive one. i spoke to nargis nehan, former afghan minister, who has now left the country. we're talking about not being... but we've seen action that actually they are doing it. publicly they have come with only two statements. 0ne statement was that women in the public sector should stay at home, and when we form the government we will have women in the lower layers of the government but not in the high level position of the cabinet, so that shows they only want women working only perhaps in the social sector, as doctors, nurses, teachers,

because they know the requirement and they know the demand for that, but they don't want to include women in decision—making or as their equal. if they are to form this government where it leaves women out from decision—making positions from top positions, how would you expect the world to respond to such a document? you hope the world will begin to engage — you hope the world will begin to engage practically with the taliban and make them realise that they will not have _ and make them realise that they will not have any support if they continue _ not have any support if they continue to govern afghanistan with the previous model that they had adopted — the previous model that they had adopted before. today, women in herat, afghanistan's third largest city, protested for their rights. many are in hiding, fearing reprisal. the taliban though deny they're going door—to—door looking to target people. translation: this is being done by people posing as taliban - and we have arrested many.

they are from the previous administration and want to defame us. there is no hit list, no door—to—door hunting down by the taliban. the past few weeks have seen the taliban emerge stronger possibly than ever before, but they are now the rulers of this country and governing it won't be easy. yogita limaye, bbc news. the time is... 1:19pm. our top story this lunchtime... shocking failings and "blatant hypocrisy" — an independent inquiry finds some religious leaders discouraged the reporting of child abuse in order to protect the reputations of their organisations. coming up... england are on top after the first morning of the fourth test test against india. coming up on the bbc news channel — england play their first match

since the final of the euros. they are in hungary tonight for a world cup qualifier. england currently top their group. after 18 months of disruption to schools from covid, the education secretary says he expects a greater sense of normality this term, as pupils in england start to return to the classroom. gavin williamson also said he hoped scientific advisers would make a decision very soon about whether to recommend covid vaccinations for 12 to 15—year—olds, and that parents would welcome having the option to give their child a jab. health experts say the decision is finely balanced. sean dilley reports. mum of two karen rees and running a uniform exchange for parents in stalybridge, greater manchester. her children are among thousands returning to schools across the uk. it's important they return, they need, notjust from the education

perspective but also the social lives. i mean, they learn so much from each other, don't they, at this age? from each other, don't they, at this ace? , , ., . ., , age? pupils in england, wales and northern ireland _ age? pupils in england, wales and northern ireland will _ age? pupils in england, wales and northern ireland will see _ northern ireland will see fewer covid restrictions than before the summer holidays. social distancing and bubbles are among the restrictions eased, but in scotland, where students returned in the middle of august, both remain. the education secretary for england says teachers are ready.— teachers are ready. we've seen the liftin: of teachers are ready. we've seen the lifting of all— teachers are ready. we've seen the lifting of all national _ teachers are ready. we've seen the lifting of all national restrictions . lifting of all national restrictions so people can go about their business and it's really important for us that children are having as normal a pre—pandemic education experience as possible, but we do recognise precautionary measures have to be taken. to recognise precautionary measures have to be taken.— recognise precautionary measures have to be taken. to help make this ossible have to be taken. to help make this possible secondary _ have to be taken. to help make this possible secondary school— have to be taken. to help make this possible secondary school children i possible secondary school children ”9 possible secondary school children mg and england are being invited to take two lateral flow tests in school, three to five days apart. secondary schools are staggering their return to manage demand. pupils are being encouraged to continue with twice—weekly testing

from home. those testing positive in england will be contacted by the nhs test and trace service and instructed to isolate, but minutes as they schools no longer safe schools need to send large groups home when they come into contact with a confirmed case. in scotland the first minister is among those linking a rapid rise in cases to schools reopening leading to concerns that england could also see a large increase, but public health england believes schools will not be a driver or infection is. we england believes schools will not be a driver or infection is.— a driver or infection is. we are reassured _ a driver or infection is. we are reassured and _ a driver or infection is. we are reassured and the _ a driver or infection is. we are reassured and the studies - a driver or infection is. we are reassured and the studies and j a driver or infection is. we are - reassured and the studies and the surveys confirm this regularly, that schools are not the hub of infection in communities. it’s schools are not the hub of infection in communities.— in communities. it's widely accepted that mass vaccinations _ in communities. it's widely accepted that mass vaccinations of _ in communities. it's widely accepted that mass vaccinations of adults - in communities. it's widely accepted that mass vaccinations of adults is i that mass vaccinations of adults is likely to lessen the impact of transmission in schools, but some argue that all 12 to 15—year—olds should be offered the vaccine. i would properly go for a single dose of the vaccine for 12 to 15—year—olds as they won off in order to help public health generally break transmission chains in society. the

generally break transmission chains in socie . . , ., ., ., in society. the decision on who should be _ in society. the decision on who should be offered _ in society. the decision on who should be offered vaccines - in society. the decision on who should be offered vaccines lies| in society. the decision on who - should be offered vaccines lies with the joint commission should be offered vaccines lies with thejoint commission —— the joint commission —— joint committee thejoint commission —— joint committee on vaccines and immunisation, but ministers in england say if they recommend injections for 12 to 15—year—olds they are ready to support the roll—out. sean dilley, bbc news. two groups representing health service organisations are warning that services may have to be cut, unless nhs england receives an extra £10 billion in government funding next year. the nhs confederation and nhs providers say the additional money is needed to cover costs related to the pandemic, and reduce the backlog of operations and treatments. adults who catch coronavirus when they're fully vaccinated are half as likely to develop long covid as people who haven't had a jab. research from king's college london has been been published in the journal, the lancet infectious diseases. 100 organisations have signed an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to scrap the planned cut to universal credit. £20 a week was added to the benefit

at the start of the pandemic as a temporary measure. it's due to be phased out from the end of this month. here's our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan. fresh fruit and veg might not seem a luxury, but for ron graham, too often they were a cost he couldn't afford. a failed business venture in 2016 left the 63—year—old relying on universal credit. until his benefit was increased by £20 a week at the start of the pandemic, such basics were beyond him. i would have to forego all this if the £20 a week was stopped. also i would have to cut back on other things that i was getting, even cleaning products, stuff for the house. ron, who's a keen walker, has long had to limit his heating to keep to his budget. i've only had the heating on in my flat three times since august 2016, so i'lljust put a dressing gown on and an extra jumper, or both. and basicallyjust get on with it.

last week at bridlington beach in yorkshire, unite the union organised this sand sculpture to highlight their opposition to the government's plan. today's open letter to the prime minister is signed by groups representing education, housing, the economy, health care and anti—poverty campaigners. we're facing a crossroads where the government faces a choice. it has said it is committed to improving the lives of people on the lowest incomes, but the depth of that commitment will be revealed this autumn when it decides whether or not to go ahead with this cut to the incomes of the poorest people in our country. ministers say the increase in benefit levels was always meant to be temporary, and that they're now focused on getting people into work. many of those on universal credit already have a job, but now face a £20 a week income cut from the end of this month unless the treasury relents. michael buchanan, bbc news. an intense rain storm has wreaked

havoc in several parts of spain, causing severe flooding in some towns, which has left thousands of people without electricity and forcing the closure of some roads and rail links. the north—eastern region of catalonia was hit especially hard after the storm gained strength due to high temperatures and humidity. the united states' supreme court has formally refused to block a law in texas which bans almost all abortions. the law, known as the "texas heartbeat act", bans abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is usually at six weeks — before many women even know they are pregnant. the only exemption is if there is a danger to the woman's health. the supreme court did not rule on the constitutionality of the law — but cited "complex and novel procedural issues". to cricket, and england are on top after the first morning of the fourth test against india at the oval. after putting the tourists

into bat, england reduced india to sa for three. adam wild reports. ringing in the morning, this now the sound of test cricket at the oval. full all the attempts to modernise cricket, remains a game of tradition. the hiddenjerusalem tradition. the hidden jerusalem before tradition. the hiddenjerusalem before players won. jimmy anderson opening the bowling for england is undoubtedly another. but for all that familiarity this is a series now wildly unpredictable. india, like england, as brilliant as they are beatable. fluctuating no more so than for chris woakes.— are beatable. fluctuating no more so than for chris woakes. welcome back chris woakes. — than for chris woakes. welcome back chris woakes, we've _ than for chris woakes. welcome back chris woakes, we've missed - than for chris woakes. welcome back chris woakes, we've missed you. - chris woakes, we've missed you. after a year out of test cricket this his first match back, it took in just six balls to take the first wicket of the day. in woakes' absence 0llie robinson has recently emerged as one of england's most potent threats. too much here for kl rahul, he demanded a second opinion

but that was out, whichever way you look at it. england it seems now rather enjoying themselves, so back to anderson. he is rarely one to miss out. there was his wicket as all have come to expect. england well on top before another of cricket's great traditions, lunch. adam wild, bbc news. now, do you remember this? # the history book on the shelf # is always repeating itself # waterloo # i was defeated, you won the war the scandinavian pop superstars, abba, are making a major announcement later today. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba is here. we are both quite excited, but what does that mean?— does that mean? well, mamma mia, here we no does that mean? well, mamma mia, here we go again! — does that mean? well, mamma mia, here we go again! knowing _ does that mean? well, mamma mia, here we go again! knowing me, - here we go again! knowing me, knowing you, we are both huge abba fans, as our millions across the globe, and for decades they've been

saying i have a dream, and that dream is new music. aber of course have been teasing us for a long time saying we were leaving, some new songs, fans have responded with everything from, i do, i do, i do, to gimme, gimme, gimme. it's been going on and on and on but we are due on arrival at around 17:a5pm tonight, a global live stream, announcement, will it be an exhibition, a theatrical experience, an event? if it's not new music fans will be saying i don't know whether to laugh or to cry. if it is new music they will be a dream world, head over heels, but right now the name of the game is speculation. if you were to ask me to take a chance, i would say that we probably will be hearing the two new songs they've been talking about since 2018, two for the price of one if you like, and when all is said and done, fans are very, very hopeful that after that announcement, between say 6:30pm and 7pm tonight they will all be flocking together to say, oh,

abba, thank you for the new music. that was the most spectacular game of abba bingo ever, i wasn't keeping a tally but it was extensive! thank you very much. that's coming up later tonight. you very much. that's coming up latertonight. let's you very much. that's coming up later tonight. let's look right now at the day's weather prospects and sarah keith—lucas has all of those. how do i follow that? mamma mia, here we go again with the weather forecast, pretty similar to recent days, no great changes. quite cloudy skies, this is boscastle, cornwall, but things are starting to brighten up but things are starting to brighten up a bit as we head through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. forthe of the afternoon and into the evening. for the next couple of days we have high pressure with us so no great changes, things are looking mainly dry and once again rather cloudy. the best of any sunshine today will be across parts of scotland, particularly the west highlands, where temperatures are getting up to about 23, possibly 2a degrees. some spells of brightness breaking through for northern ireland, north—west england, and for

parts of southern england and