a very warm welcome to bbc news, i'm mark lobel. our top stories: at least 45 people are dead, after record rainfall causes flash flooding across the north—east of america. a british—born member of the islamic state group pleads guilty to charges of conspiring to murder american hostages in syria. in afghanistan, a new normal, with the taliban setting up a government, as those who still want to get out await their future. and, thank you for more music: it's abba's first album of new material for a0 years, backed up by a series

of virtual concerts. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. severe weather and flash flooding in the northeastern united states has now killed at least forty five people, with states of emergency in place in new york and newjersey. it's prompted president biden to call for the united states to be better prepared for the climate crisis and to take action after the unprecedented rainfall brought by storm ida. our correspondent nada tawfik reports. cascading waterfalls rushed through the platforms down to the tracks of the new york city subway. the sudden deluge from ida's move up north shut down the network and didn't

stop there. a state of emergency was called as the city became paralysed by record—breaking rain and flash flooding. turning wide boulevards quickly into waterways. motorists and a few out working despite the obstacles, waded through the water to get home. officials warned residents to remain indoors but in parts of new york, houses were no longer a place of safety. today, some were urgently saved from the rising waters on their doorsteps. we're homeless right now. but, you know, we're all gonna come together and we are going to figure out a solution and we'll go from there. it was the same story in philadelphia, where there was no telling where the delaware river ended and suburbs began. rescuers went door—to—door by boat, helping people escape who took shelter in the upper

floors of their homes and on their rooves. others weren't so lucky and today officials are still discovering the true death toll. after a year of extreme climate events that have shocked the nation, a warning from the president. the past few days of hurricane ida, and the wildfires in the west and the unprecedented flash floods in new york and newjersey, it is yet another reminder that these extreme storms and the climate crisis are here. we need to do this better prepared. we need to act. this storm, for many, is a wake—up call that nowhere is safe from extreme weather. powerful tornadoes, the likes seen normally in the midwest, obliterated multiple homes in newjersey. with the devastating impact of these events coming into view, it does feel like this is one of the greatest challenges of this generation. nada tawfik, bbc news, newjersey.

many affected by that. a little later in the programme, we'll speak to new york resident ashwin vasan, who runs a mental health charity, and is one of many affected by the flooding. an alleged member of the notorious isis group that were dubbed "the beatles" by their captives, because of their british accents, has just pleaded guilty in a hearing in a us court. alexanda kotey, originally from the uk, had been charged with conspiring to torture and behead hostages in syria. contrary to the propaganda perpetuated by isis, we have given alexanda kotey the opportunity to face justice. alexanda kotey has been afforded due process and in the face of overwhelming evidence, he made the independent

decision to plead guilty to his crimes. thejustice, fairness and humanity that this defendant received in the united states stand in stark contrast to the cruelty, inhumanity and indiscriminate violence touted by the terrorist organisation that he espoused. let's bring in our correspondent nomia iqbal who's been following the story. it's been a while since these crimes were committed, can you just talk us through the background this case? we've got to no all background this case? we've got to go all the _ background this case? we've got to go all the way _ background this case? we've got to go all the way back _ background this case? we've got to go all the way back to - background this case? we've got to go all the way back to 2014 i to go all the way back to 2014 and this was when this specific one of the isis terror group, nicknamed the beatles because there was four of them, the prisoners that they held hostage had nicknamed them that because of their english accents. if you go back to 2014 we saw those horrific videos that were being disseminated by

isis which showed four hostages, we rememberjames foley, a journalist and stephen scott lough and orange jumpsuits being abused by the group. alexanda kotey accepted the charges in court, judge said that he is now going to be cooperating with prosecutors which i guess is that he could start giving important details about what happened, what he knows and even where the victims are buried. so there is a another man as well in this case, el shafee elsheikh, and he is also up for trial but there is no word yet if he has reached a plea deal and it is worth mentioning as well that alexanda kotey is part of this arrangement, has said he will not be testifying, he is not obligated to testify against el shafee elsheikh if he goes to trial which is due next january. trial which is due next january-— trial which is due next janua . �* ., ., january. and what other punishments _ january. and what other punishments they - january. and what other punishments they could | january. and what other - punishments they could face and why is the death penalty off the table?— why is the death penalty off the table? , ., the table? they were extradited from the uk _ the table? they were extradited from the uk to the _ the table? they were extradited from the uk to the us _ the table? they were extradited from the uk to the us and - the table? they were extradited from the uk to the us and of. from the uk to the us and of

course the uk does not agree with the death penalty and it was part of that guarantee that if there uk does deport them to america that the death penalty will not be an option. both of them face a maximum sentence of life injail. them face a maximum sentence of life in “ail. ., them face a maximum sentence of life in “ail. . , . dominic raabe has suggested the uk needs to engage with the taliban in afghanistan. on a visit to qatar he said britain needed to adjust to the new reality following the withdrawal of western forces. he also signalled that kabul airport might be able to reopen and allow british citizens and eligible afghans to leave the country. one employee from the uk embassy has been speaking to our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. christmas parties, diplomatic dinners, daily meals. head chef hameed was part of british embassy life in kabul for 13 years. this was the last meeting

of kitchen staff with the british ambassador sir laurie bristow. he spent days at kabul airport overseeing the massive airlift. hameed and about 60 others were left behind because they weren't employed by the foreign office but through a private contractor. translation: we worked so hard, i even during the covid lockdown, l and we were left behind. ifeel i have been betrayed. if they don't take us out of here, it is a big betrayal. now this family of five young children is hiding at home. many are doing the same. we will not be recognising the taliban any time in the foreseeable future, but i think there is an important scope for

engagement and dialogue and test the intentions and indeed the assurances that have been made by the taliban, safe passage out of afghanistan and i'm afraid to my friends from the bbc i didn't mention it to those afghan workers or contractors who are eligible and want to come to the uk or indeed other countries. there is a battle at home. brave women take to the streets in the western city of herat. "don't be scared, we are all together," is their rallying cry — worried the taliban will stop them from working or studying as they did before. this woman has moved from one safe house to the next ever since the taliban swept into kabul. she had been working on issues like gender and human rights. the taliban told her, "don't come to the office for now." many fear they will never be allowed to go back.

as a human, it's my right to get education. it's my right to have a good job. unfortunately, this situation that came in in afghanistan, all of my dreams destroyed. kabul looks much the same, but it's not. a nation at war now seems to be a nation in waiting. so many afghans wondering, worrying, "what kind of new government will emerge with all of its rules and regulations?" many others still asking ever so anxiously how they can escape. for now, so many lives are on pause. lyse doucet, bbc news, kabul. and you can keep up to date with the situation in afghanistan plus all the latest developments and reporting from lyse and our team in kabul on our website, including this piece on resistance fighters battling against the taliban in the panjshir valleyjust north of kabul.

just go to bbc.com/news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: mamma mia, here they go again: swedish pop group abba announce a comeback after forty years. she received the nobel peace prize for her work with the poor and the dying in india 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 round 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. 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 bbc world news, the latest headlines: at least 45 people are dead, after record rainfall causes flash flooding across the north—east of america. a british—born member of the islamic state group pleads guilty to charges of conspiring to murder american hostages in syria. in canada, the first televised election debate between party leaders is taking place, ahead of the vote on the 20th of september.

in mid—august the prime minister, justin trudeau, called the election two years early, hoping his handling of the coronavirus pandemic would secure a majority win for his ruling liberal party. political reporter from the globe and mail newspaper, mareeka walsh, joins us from ottawa. thank us from ottawa. you so much forjoining us. thank you so much forjoining us. the debate is, what, an hour and a bit on, this four day tv debate. hasjustin day tv debate. has justin trudeau yet explained why he decided to call the selection? thanks for having me, he has explained his position on why he is having the election so early, the question is whether voters are buying it as a legitimate reason. justin trudeau is saying that now is the moment for the election because of how much has changed from the pandemic and because of the decisions that the government will have to make on the pandemic, the return of the

economy as well as the climate crisis in the years ahead. but the opposition parties, the conservatives, say he has called an election in the middle of the fourth wave of the pandemic, in the middle of massive wildfires on the west coast of canada, and at the beginning of this crisis in afghanistan, so there is a push pull on which issues should have people focus on government versus focused on election campaign and so far he has not been able to prosecute his case for the public which we see in the polls tightening significantly since the election was called. the view from abroad _ election was called. the view from abroad is _ election was called. the view from abroad is that _ election was called. the view from abroad is that this - from abroad is that this one—time rockstar of politics has perhaps bitten off more than he could chew. what has gone so wrong for him? i think it miuht gone so wrong for him? i think it might have _ gone so wrong for him? i think it might have been _ gone so wrong for him? i think it might have been some - it might have been some exuberance, or not exuberance but exuberance among the liberals among the polls that we were seeing in the months and weeks heading into the election call, but that is also attributed to people being in a

better mood, to the vaccinations happening, and in the last year canada has seen that most incoming governments or all incumbent provincial governments were re—elected during the pandemic, people wanted to keep the same hand on the wheel during the crisis but this summer we saw a change where nova scotia became the first government that is a province on the east coast to have a change in leadership during the pandemic and that has really been a wake—up call for the liberals. that maybe voters won't be so complacent to just keep the same people in power because we are in a crisis. �* ., , ., , ~ crisis. and often liberals like to aint crisis. and often liberals like to paint conservatives - crisis. and often liberals like to paint conservatives as - crisis. and often liberals like j to paint conservatives as the beginning of politics and erin o'toole, the leader of the conservatives, has managed to paint a new picture of his party and justin trudeau has not been able to label them in a demonic way?— a demonic way? absolutely. there hasn't _ a demonic way? absolutely. there hasn't been _ a demonic way? absolutely. there hasn't been the - a demonic way? absolutely. there hasn't been the same| there hasn't been the same contrast between the liberals that they've been able to tag with past conservative leaders. this debate that we are

watching right now in canada in 2019 was the turning point for the conservatives and the telling of the end of their campaign because their leader did not perform well, especially on social conservative issues around abortion, same sex marriage, thoseissues abortion, same sex marriage, those issues don't land so well and they are struggling to land any attacks so far, they have much more stringent policies, more stringent targets, they say they are better on childcare, they want to bring in a national childcare programme that's $10 a day, on the flipside can evidence are offering to spend more on healthcare than the liberals and the conservatives are really running a much more centrist campaign, they are straying away from their right roots and the question is do they then keep those grassroots conservatives on side while this is going on? they probably do if they can show that they are winning but it gets a lot more difficult if they are on the losing end of things. we

are only halfway through this campaign so i am sure we will connect you to see if the polls do improve thoughtjustin trudeau but thank you so much for your analysis just then. let's take a look at some other stories making the news: the federal aviation authority in the united states has grounded the virgin galactic space ship while it investigates a deviation in its flight to the edge of space in july. the space ship two's pilots are reported to have received yellow and amber alerts for flying too low, while it was carrying the british billionaire, richard branson in the democratic republic of the congo, the environment minister says nearly 4,500 people have fallen sick following a toxic leakfrom a diamond mine in neighbouring angola. eve bazaiba said 12 people had died. she said the drc would ask for reparations for the damage caused. there has been no response so farfrom the mining company. china's broadcast regulators

have banned public voting on reality tv shows, and actors with political views they deem "incorrect". the move is part of the chinese government's newest media crackdown. authorities also pledged to promote more masculine images of men. regulators say only programmes that foster a patriotic atmosphere and celebrate traditional chinese culture will be broadcast in the country. japan is the first country in olympic history to host the paralympic games twice, but what is it like to be paris is undeniably one of the world's greatest capital cities, renowned for its charm, its history and its beauty. no—one is perfect. paris has problems with waste and pollution. now, one—year—old boy is trying to do something about it. the bbc�*s tim allman explains. meet rafael correa and his unusual aladdin �*s cave. no magic lamp, but plenty of rusty

telephones and discarded bits of metal. the young boy, along with his friends, has taken to fishing in the seine. he is looking for scrap and junk rather than aquatic life forms. translation: i rather than aquatic life forms. translation:— translation: i feel like i am doinu translation: i feel like i am doing something _ translation: i feel like i am doing something for _ translation: i feel like i am doing something for the - translation: | feel like | am| doing something for the planet in my own little way, some io—year—olds and ii —year—olds stay at home or play football, but i know i am cleaning up. not the entire planet, but i am cleaning up. not the entire planet, but i am cleaning um— not the entire planet, but i am cleaning un— not the entire planet, but i am cleaning up. raphael began his crusade to _ cleaning up. raphael began his crusade to clean _ cleaning up. raphael began his crusade to clean up _ cleaning up. raphael began his crusade to clean up the - cleaning up. raphael began his crusade to clean up the river i crusade to clean up the river ways of paris less than two years ago. in that time he estimates he has fished out around 300 bicycles, 100 shopping trolleys, and 200 electric scooters. translation: my electric scooters. translation: my goal is to raise awareness so that people do something. they don't have to do what i do, but at least do something. it could just be picking up cigarette buts.— it could just be picking up cigarette buts. it could just be picking up ciuarette buts. . , . ., , cigarette buts. last october he was awarded — cigarette buts. last october he was awarded the _ cigarette buts. last october he was awarded the medal - cigarette buts. last october he was awarded the medal of - cigarette buts. last october he i was awarded the medal of paris, in honour of those who have performed a remarkable bead for

the city. notjust the city, the city. notjust the city, the world too. raphael is saving the environment, one rusty bike at a time. tim allman, bbc news. now, abba is getting the band back together. the swedish superstars have released their first new song in decades, featuring digital avatars of the group, as they were in their prime. a new album is also on its way, and they'll appear in concert, kind of. david sillito reports. # i still have faith in you # i see it now abba, and a new song. 40 yea rs 40 years after recording their last album, a new abba song. indeed, a new abba album. and there is video of the group finally back together.- there is video of the group finally back together. first it was 'ust finally back together. first it was just two _ finally back together. first it wasjust two songs, - finally back together. first it wasjust two songs, and - finally back together. first it| wasjust two songs, and then finally back together. first it - wasjust two songs, and then we was just two songs, and then we said, well, maybe we should do, i don't know, if you others.

what do you say, girls? and they said, yeah. then i asked them, well, why don't we just do a whole album? it them, well, why don't we 'ust do a whole album?* do a whole album? it is 47 ears do a whole album? it is 47 years since _ do a whole album? it is 47 years since the _ do a whole album? it is 47 years since the band - do a whole album? it is 47 years since the band hit i do a whole album? it is 47| years since the band hit the big time, with the eurovision winning waterloo, the beginning of a series of number one hits and global success. # you can dance # you can jive ladies and gentlemen, abba. eight — ladies and gentlemen, abba. eight years later, this was theirfinal tv appearance eight years later, this was their final tv appearance on british television. every year since then, a question. will they ever perform again together? and the answer, finally, is yes. sort of. and the reason the announcement is taking place here in the olympic park is because this is where the abba concerts are going to be taking place — but you won't be seeing abba as they are today, but rather with a degree of digital youthful

enhancement. the group has been performing in a studio, and with the aid of motion capture digital effects, the image we will see and hear on the stage will be the band members in their �*70s heyday. to create, after the musicals and movies, another abba experience. but what makes this moment different is the new music. the new album. the reunion, 40 years on. david sillito, bbc news. abba—tars, now we've seen everything. let's go back to our top story now, and severe weather and flash flooding in the north—eastern us, which has now killed at least 45 people. we can now speak to new york resident ashwin, who once a mental health charity and is one of many affected by the flooding. —— who runs a. thanks

forjoining us. there have been stories of people who have been trapped in cars and basements. our new affected by the flooding?— our new affected by the flooding? our new affected by the floodinu? . , ., flooding? on a personal level, of course. _ flooding? on a personal level, of course. i— flooding? on a personal level, of course, i am _ flooding? on a personal level, of course, i am so _ flooding? on a personal level, of course, i am so lucky - flooding? on a personal level, of course, i am so lucky and l of course, i am so lucky and privileged i had flooding in my home, but nothing compared to some of the tragedies and loss of life and loss of infrastructure that we are seeing across the city. i was a frontline healthcare worker in 2012 when hurricane sandy hit, and this reminded me of an awful lot of those dark nights when the power went out, and i had to go to the hospital to see loads of sick people on that day, and i think itjust tells us that this is really a public health crisis, it is an infrastructure crisis, and the long—term effects on our mental health are going to be felt for some time to come.— health are going to be felt for some time to come. were you liven some time to come. were you given any — some time to come. were you given any warning? _ some time to come. were you given any warning? we - some time to come. were you given any warning? we had i some time to come. were you given any warning? we had a l given any warning? we had a storm just — given any warning? we had a storm just like _ given any warning? we had a storm just like this _ given any warning? we had a storm just like this 12 - given any warning? we had a storm just like this 12 days i storm just like this 12 days ago, a couple of weekends ago, and what we are seeing is just

torrential rains in short amounts of time, record, three inches of rain in one hour, record and central park, which eclipsed the previous record which just happens i2 eclipsed the previous record which just happens 12 days ago. this has become the new normal and our infrastructure, healthcare systems, are not ready and capable of keeping up with this. we havejust ready and capable of keeping up with this. we have just got to respond, we have got to invest, we have got to prepare for next time because is not going to be abba and going forward. the covernor abba and going forward. the governor of _ abba and going forward. the governor of new york is saying that these flash floods were unknown going, but should be expected next time. bill de blasio, the mayor, has said this is a wake—up call. do you think people are going to listen now? i think people are going to listen now?— think people are going to listen now? ., �* ~ ., ~ listen now? i don't know. we said the same _ listen now? i don't know. we said the same thing - listen now? i don't know. we said the same thing in - listen now? i don't know. we said the same thing in 2012 l said the same thing in 2012 when hurricane sandy hit, but this was going to be the wake—up call, this was going to be the moment. when is it going to happen? what is this country at this well going to get their heads around the fact that this is an existential crisis, all

of our bickering, infighting, politics, it doesn't matter if our planet is at risk. and as a physician, as a mental health leader, as a public health leader, as a public health leader and as a father, handing off this world to our children, i am so frightened for the way forward. we really need to that forward. we really need to that for global effort to get ahead of climate change. find for global effort to get ahead of climate change. and briefly, ashwin, of climate change. and briefly, ashwin. how — of climate change. and briefly, ashwin, how is _ of climate change. and briefly, ashwin, how is this _ of climate change. and briefly, ashwin, how is this a - of climate change. and briefly, ashwin, how is this a mental i ashwin, how is this a mental health problem?— ashwin, how is this a mental health problem? well, i mean, ou're health problem? well, i mean, you're talking _ health problem? well, i mean, you're talking about _ health problem? well, i mean, you're talking about people - health problem? well, i mean, | you're talking about people who are losing their homes, being forced to live in shelters, losing theirjobs, this has far—reaching impacts on people's daily lives, let alone the loss of life, which is causing deep, acute and chronic traumas. and as we have seen with covid and the traumas that this pandemic has caused, when these things, layer on layer on top of each other, the long—term impacts of mental

health are clear, rates of suicide, depression, addiction. they are rising all across the world, notjust in the united states. world, not 'ust in the united states. ., ., world, not 'ust in the united states. ., ~' , ., world, not 'ust in the united states. ., ,, , ., ~ , . states. thank you, ashwin. we appreciate _ states. thank you, ashwin. we appreciate that. _ states. thank you, ashwin. we appreciate that. and _ states. thank you, ashwin. we appreciate that. and thank - states. thank you, ashwin. we appreciate that. and thank you | appreciate that. and thank you forjoining us. see you again soon. bye. hello there. we're finally going to see some changes to the weather this week and into next week things look quite different. but in the short term we are ending the week on a similar note with this area of high pressure continuing to bring in a lot of cloud. on a similar note with this area of high pressure will continue to bring in a lot of cloud across the uk with limited clear spells. there will be a few glimmers of brightness around, particularly western scotland in the morning but generally a cloudy start. in to the afternoon favoured spots to see some sunshine developing more widley wil again be across scotland, northern england and parts of northern ireland and also southern england towards south wales and this is where we will see the highest temperatures in the low 20s. otherwise where we hold onto the cloud, it will be around the mid to high teens for most. as we head through friday night it looks like it's going to be another cloudy one. across central and northern areas with clear spells

across the south. but temperature wise, no more than ten to 14 celsius. we are starting to importing our winds from a more southeasterly direction to start the weekend as our area of high pressure finally begins to retreat eastwards. it looks like it will bring some slightly drier air in from the near continent. we should see will see some holes in the cloud from the word go across central and southern areas. some sunny spells here with further north varying amounts of cloud and a little bit of sunshine but generally a lot of cloud. could see a few showers across southern and western areas into the afternoon but many places will be dry. temperatures around 21 or 22 for the high around the high teens though further north and east with the cloud. for sunday we see this feature runs to the northwest of the country. that's going to bring thicker cloud, more of a breeze, out breaks of rain, northen irleand, northwest england and northwest wales later in the day. some of this ring could be quite heavy. further south, it is a drier picture for sunday afternoon, lighter winds coming in from france. and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine into the afternoon. temperatures responding to 24 degrees in the south. obviously because of more cloud the wind

and the rain in the north and not quite as warm. and next week, we'll will start to import some warmer air the continent and some southern areas across the south on monday and tuesday, given some sunshine we could see those temperatures creeping around the mid 20 celsius and a little bit warmer and further north too.

this is bbc news, the headlines: severe weather and flash flooding in the northeastern united states has now killed at least 45 people. in new york, most of the dead drowned while trapped in their basement apartments. most of the two dozen people killed in newjersey were in vehicles overwhelmed by floodwaters. a british—born islamic state group member has pleaded guilty in the us to charges of conspiring to murder american hostages in syria. alexanda kotey�*s group, known as �*the beatles' for their british accents, allegedly kidnapped, tortured and killed their victims, including journalists and aid workers. one of the most successful pop groups of all time, abba are reforming. the swedish superstars have revealed their first new song in decades. they've also announced that their avatars will be performing with a live ten—piece band in concerts at a purpose—built arena

in london from may.