welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines... a damning report on the uk's handling of the covid pandemic calling it one of the worst national public health failures ever. world leaders pledge to help the afghan people with offers of aid at a virtual summit of g 20 leaders but stress it doesn't mean they recognise the taliban. this is a make or break moment. if we do not act and help afghans weather the storm and do it soon not only they but all the world will pay

a heavy price. a grisly conclusion to a story that captivated the world. a coroner has confirmed that gabby petito died from strangulation. herformer boyfriend is still missing. finally free an elk that's been living for two years with a car tyre stuck around its neck has it removed by rescuers. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's newsday. it's six in the morning in singapore, and ”pm in london where an inquiry by members of parliament said the uk government's initial response to the covid pandemic was one of the worst ever public health failures in the country's history.

it says both ministers and scientists waited too long to bring in lockdowns last year, costing many lives. the report also pointed out that the authorities claimed to have studied and then rejected the south korean approach but could provide no evidence for this. a failure to draw on international expertise also came in for particular criticism. our health editor, hugh pym reports. a deadly new virus. hospital staff facing unprecedented challenges. the most comprehensive report so far on the official response to the covid crisis says serious mistakes were made and different policies could've saved lives. he was relatively young and totally fit and healthy, with no underlying health conditions. phil got covid in march last year. his condition worsened, and he died in april. his daughter, sara, believes an earlier lockdown,

restricting the spread of the virus, might have made all the difference. i do believe that a lot of, notjust my family, but a lot of other families who are in this situation, you know, it was avoidable, if action had been taken sooner, and perhaps a little bit more of a responsible approach had been taken sooner. the report looks at decisions around the timing of the march lockdown. it says full restrictions came too late because the government's scientific advisers wanted only to slow down the spread of the virus rather than stop it. most people, the vast majority of people get a mild illness to build up some degree of herd immunity as well. an acceptance of herd immunity and widespread infections was the attitude, according to the report, with groupthink among ministers and officials. come on, this virus. is deadly here, love. get that down you, lads, ey? events like the cheltenham racing festival in mid—march, the report adds, may have spread the virus. i think there is an issue there of hindsight, because at the time of the first

lockdown, the expectation was that the tolerance in terms of how long people would live with lockdown for was a far shorter period than actually has proven to be the case. the second lockdown came in november. mps say a so—called "circuit—breaker" in england in september might have slowed the virus, though the emergence of a new variant wasn't then known. labour said the report's stark conclusions couldn't be ignored. to use language that this . was one of the worst public health failures in the uk, - that is a damning indictment. and my thoughts are with - the families who've lost people because of these failures. the mps' report is highly critical of the test and trace system in england. it says it was set up much too late and that capacity should've been built up much earlier in the pandemic, in line with some other countries. halting community testing in the early weeks had cost lives, according to the report.

just one of the government's failings, said the former downing street adviser who'd given evidence to mp5. me and others put into place work to try and improve the system in 2020 after the first wave. unfortunately, the prime minister, being the joker that he is, has not pushed that work through. the covid pressure in care homes is examined in detail. the mps say that sending elderly people from hospitals into care homes without prior testing may have been understandable, but it contributed to the spread of the virus. staff entering care homes also may have carried infections. staff shortages and problems getting ppe hadn't helped. in hong kong and germany, they took more precautions early on to protect care homes, and they had fewer deaths as a result. that's definitely one of the most important long—term lessons we need to learn. the report says vaccine development has been one of the most successful initiatives in uk science.

early investment by the government in research and development is praised by mps. the vaccine taskforce being set up outside government is described as a masterstroke, with the success of the vaccine programme said to have redeemed many failings elsewhere. the report praises the response of the nhs to the pandemic, with a rapid increase in critical care beds. but it notes that even before covid struck, most hospitals were running at close to full capacity, and that meant that services, including some cancer care, were put on hold. the ensuing backlog has become one of the enduring legacies of the pandemic. and the mps note that bame communities experienced higher levels of severe illness and death, which highlighted inequalities in society. the government's overall response to the report is that they've been consistently guided by scientific experts and are committed to learning lessons from the pandemic. hugh pym, bbc news.

if you want more details presented in the 150 page report then head to our website. 0ur health correspondent nick triggle looks at the underlying reasons for what went wrong and the lessons that must be learnt. two months after the taliban seized control of afghanistan, the country is approaching a full blown economic collapse. so today, the g 20 group of wealthier nations met to try and prevent this financial crisis from turning into a humanitarian catastrophe. the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, promised that the eu would deliver a support package of more than a billion dollars to afghanistan. the german chancellor angela merkel said that, despite concerns about emboldening the taliban, the world needs to step up and not abandon afghans in need. head of the meeting the un secretary

general had this warning about the worsening situation. this general had this warning about the worsening situation.— general had this warning about the worsening situation. this is a make or break moment. _ worsening situation. this is a make or break moment. if _ worsening situation. this is a make or break moment. if we _ worsening situation. this is a make or break moment. if we do - worsening situation. this is a make or break moment. if we do not act| or break moment. if we do not act and help afghans weather the storm and help afghans weather the storm and do it soon not only they but all the world will pay a heavy price. the afghan people cannot suffer a collective punishment because the taliban misbehaved. people should not die of hunger in any circumstance. the situation within the country is truly dire and according to the un, things are getting worse, due to increased conflict, the pandemic, and a persistent drought. over 18 million afghans are now in need of humanitarian assistance. and that includes more than nine and a half million children. one in two kids younger than 5 years old are facing acute malnutrition.

0verall, nearly 30% of the country is facing crisis levels of food insecurity. the bbc�*s yogita limaye is in kabul for us and has more on how devestating the conditions inside afghanistan are and how crucial foreign aid will be to helping save lives. as the un secretary general is warning in very strong words this is a make or break moment for this country if the global community does not act quickly the world will pay the price for it. 18 million people in need of urgent life—saving support. so this is a just to survive. prior to the 15th of august we've been out meeting people who were living in open fields, who didn't have anything to shelter them, didn't know with the next meal was coming from, didn't have access to water, basic sanitation, basic medicine it's getting even worse now. winter will be coming in and you still have people living like that outdoors. all of that will feed into instability in this country which no one particularly wants.

we did hear interestingly and significantly from the european commission president when she said that this is humanitarian aid, it will be channelled through international agencies that are operating on the ground, it is separate to development aid that was also coming into afghanistan prior to the 15th of august and being channelled through the government, through government agencies on the ground. she has made that separation very clear trying to say that afghan people shouldn't suffer, we should be trying to help them out. but at the same time this is a government that is seized control of the country, a government that we do not recognise yet. so this is a problem that the world is going to have to get together and solve. how do you reach the people of afghanistan who are really in need without that money, without that aid falling into the wrong hands or being misused? a coroner in the us state of wyoming has confirmed that gabby petito died from strangulation. she was the young woman who went

missing in september when travelling across the country with her boyfriend, in a case that captured the attention of the nation. let's bring in our north america correspondent peter bowes for the latest. thanks forjoining us. now we know how she died, do we have any clues as to when she died?— how she died, do we have any clues as to when she died? well, we know from what the _ as to when she died? well, we know from what the coroner _ as to when she died? well, we know from what the coroner has _ as to when she died? well, we know from what the coroner has been - from what the coroner has been saying that when she was found, when her body was found last month he believes that she had been, her body had been out in the wilderness possibly for three to four weeks. that really puts the point of death as possibly late in august which is about the time that the social media reports of their road trip across the american west stopped, stopped quite abruptly. and to remind you of their story, they had been travelling ever sincejuly, recording their trip, living in a van through social media, many, many

people have been following what event happening and then it abruptly all stop. the boys are went back home to florida at the beginning of september, didn't contact the police, it wasn't until september the 11th her concerned family actually called the police and reported her missing in her body was found just over a week after that. we don't know much more from the postmortem examination citing local laws was up the governor said that he wasn't at liberty to reveal any other information. although he did say she was not pregnant at the time of her death. her say she was not pregnant at the time of her death-— of her death. her ex-boyfriend is still missing. _ of her death. her ex-boyfriend is still missing. he's _ of her death. her ex-boyfriend is still missing. he's a _ of her death. her ex-boyfriend is still missing. he's a person - of her death. her ex-boyfriend is still missing. he's a person of. still missing. he's a person of interest in the case. any clues as to where he may be? hat interest in the case. any clues as to where he may be?— interest in the case. any clues as to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery _ to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery as _ to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery as to _ to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery as to where _ to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery as to where he - to where he may be? not really. it is a mystery as to where he is. - is a mystery as to where he is. according to his parents had said in the middle of september that he was going off for a hike but nothing has been heard of him since then. there's a big police hunt under way

neara there's a big police hunt under way near a county park in florida. but so far there are no clues as to his whereabouts. he is a person of interest, he hasn't been charged with anything in relation to gabby�*s death. he has been charged with one count of fraudulently using a credit card after her death.— card after her death. thank you so much for the _ card after her death. thank you so much for the update. _ promising to speak the truth about american history, kamala harris told the national congress of american indians the biden administration would not shy from a history since the first arrival of european explorers and everything must be done to correct its legacy. those explorers ushered in a wave of devastation for tribal nations perpetrating violence, stealing land and spreading disease. we must not shy away from this shameful past. and we must shed light on it and do

everything we can to address the impact of the past on native communities today. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines... the international monetary fund has warned the global recovery from the covid pandemic is faltering. it says economic prospects have been dented by low vaccination rates and rising commodity prices. the body said it expected inflation to remain high for the forseeable future. the somali government has urged kenya to �*respect�* the international rule of law. it comes after the un's top court handed somalia control over most of a disputed area of the indian ocean. but kenya has indicated it is not prepared to sacrifice "territorial waters". the duke and duchess of sussex have becoming partners at a sustainable investment firm in new york city. harry and meghan havejoined ethic as �*impact partners'. the company advises clients on how

to invest their money into firms with good environmental credentials. tigrayan forces in northern ethiopia say a massive government offensive launched last week is continuing, causing thousands of casualties. a senior member of the tigray people's liberation front has said the government is using heavy artillery, tanks, fighterjets and drones but the rebels are holding their ground. the bbc�*s kalkidan yibeltal is in addis ababa. it looks like there is renewed fighting and intense it looks like there is renewed fighting and intense fighting it looks like there is renewed fighting and intense fighting about. but it's difficult to determine and whether the fighting is as

devastating as it is. because you know so far what we have is the statement and some humanitarian sources that are confirming that there is indeed fighting in some areas. its neighbouring the region south of tigre. forces have managed to force backing control. it seems the new fighting is in those areas. as you said the government has not said anything in terms of confirming this renewed fighting. this could only meet a bad thing in terms of the humanitarian efforts that are being under way. because the you and in other agencies have been complaining that not enough is being done and if there is this new continue fighting this renewed fighting, it's going to impact the difference. it's going to be bad news for other humanitarian efforts was up this renewed fighting game a week or so after the prime minister was sworn in and the new government is formed. but enjoying the imagine

when forces were making advances the country was in the middle of this election and the government and the prime minister seem to be preoccupied in securing their win. after the controversial poles they managed to win in a landslide and now it seems that they are focused on reserving these issues. it seems that they are trying to push back at least back to tigre from the areas that they control. least back to tigre from the areas that they control. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: hundreds could die in flooding, warns the uk environment agency. we look at what needs to be done. parts of san francisco least affected by the earthquake are returning to life, but in the marina area, where most of the damage was done, they're more conscious than ever of how much has been destroyed.

in the 19 years since he was last here, he's gone from being a little—known revolutionary to an experienced and successful diplomatic operator. it was a 20—pound bomb which exploded on the fifth floor of the grand hotel, ripping a hole in the front of the building. this government will not weaken! democracy will prevail! it fills me with humility and gratitude to know that i have been chosen as a recipient of this foremost honour. this catholic nation held its breath for the men they call "the 33". and then... ..bells tolled nationwide to announce the first rescue, and chile let out an almighty roar. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko 0i in singapore. 0ur headlines: the uk's initial response

to the covid pandemic was one of the worst national public health failures ever, according to a report by british mps. pledges of aid for afghanistan as the world's major economies come together to try to stave off a crisis in the country. the united kingdom is not ready for the impact of climate change — that's the warning from the environment agency. it says hundreds could die in floods unless the places where people live, work and travel are made more resilient to the increasingly volatile weather. 0ur science editor david shukman has the story. a street in cardiff became a dangerous river earlier this month after a massive downpour. it was a similar scene in newcastle after torrential rain there. and, around the same time, london was engulfed,

raising questions about how we'll cope as climate change makes the weather even more violent. but the biggest shock came in germany lastjuly, a surge of water tore through communities. 200 people were killed and the fear is of disaster here on a similar scale. the weather events that we saw in europe this summer could happen here in england, and we need to be ready to save lives. we need to recognise that it's adapt or die. the environment agency is being deliberately blunt so that its recommendations are heard. for homeowners and businesses to take basic steps to make their properties safe. to restore landscapes like forests so they hold rain water before it causes floods. and for bigger investments by governments in defences that can handle projected rises

in sea levels. already the thames barrier, defending london, is being closed far more often than planned — a trend that will continue as the polar ice keeps melting, raising the height of the oceans. with its network of tunnels under the river, the barrier was designed decades ago and may not be big enough in future. the great steel gates are holding back a phenomenal volume of sea water that would otherwise enter the city and potentially cause disaster, which is why climate change matters so much here. they're constantly watching the projections for how much the sea is going to rise, and it's also why we'll probably need a bigger barrier by 2070. but some stretches of the coast are not so lucky. homes in norfolk are being lost to the sea. the environment agency says it can't protect everyone. but since last year,

when i met lorna bevan thompson, a local business owner, the waves have come much nearer. they're saying we've got billions of money available but it's not coming to us and our coastline is getting eroded daily, and it's irreparable damage. in some parts of the uk the challenge will be too little water. a growing population and drier summers will strain supplies. the government says it is preparing the country for a more turbulent climate and it wants world leaders to discuss the risks when they meet at the un summit in glasgow next month. david shukman, bbc news. the uk's brexit minister, lord frost, has said the post—brexit trade arrangements which the uk negotiated with the eu aren't working and have to change. in the past hour, he said britain would be tabling proposals which would allow goods to circulate freely between northern ireland and the rest of the uk and wouldn't

disrupt the eu's single market. lord frost said a political crisis was brewing because of the current arrangements. the protocol is not working, it's completely lost consent in one community in northern ireland. it's not doing the thing it was set out to do, protect the belfast good friday agreement. in fact, it's doing the opposite. it has to change. the european union is expected to respond later on wednesday. let's take a look at some of the other stories in the headlines in the uk. there have been skirmishes between police and hungarian football fans at the world cup qualifier between england and hungary at wembley. police used batons and hungry fans threw punches as violence flared at the start of the game. england players were also booed when they took the knee before kick off. the queen has attended a service of

thanksgiving over the royal british region. the queen who is 95 used a walking stick as she arrived and left the abbey, the first time she has done so at a major public event. if you've ever felt a weight lifted off your shoulders... shoulders... then you should be able to empathise with one elk in the us state of colorado. this elk was forced to roam the wilderness with a tyre stuck around his neck for two years. but this weekend, he was finally tracked down and the tyre was removed. the man who freed the elk is wildlife officer scott murdoch. he's been speaking to the bbc. it was a challenging situation. 0bviously it was a challenging situation. obviously we had some issues cutting the tyre off because of the steel that was in the tyre. so we resulted in cutting the antlers off, was able

to just barely get that tyre off the top of it's head. we do annual surveys of our wildlife populations and just happened to run into the sky. he was really far back in and we didn't expect to be able to get to him and then over the next couple of years we would get more sightings and we would try and get close to him and he would really act like a wild elk, he would let us get close. during the rut seizing which is a breeding season, happens in september and october, they tend to lose a lot of their inhibitions and that was really the way that we were able to sneak in a little bit closer because he was much more concerned with getting close to the female elk that he was hanging in and around. so that was ultimately the way we were able to get a tranquiliser dart in him. and eventually get the tyre off his neck.

in him. and eventually get the tyre off his neck-— off his neck. apparently 16 kilograms _ off his neck. apparently 16 kilograms lighter. - off his neck. apparently 16 kilograms lighter. good i off his neck. apparently 16 | kilograms lighter. good for off his neck. apparently 16 - kilograms lighter. good for him. that's all we have time for. stay with bbc world news if you can. thanks for watching. hello. there were some bright spots on tuesday. some of us got to see a bit of sunshine. but for many places, extensive cloud was the main weather feature, spilling down from the northwest, thick enough at times to produce some spots of rain and drizzle. and wednesday is looking like a very similar day. it will be mostly but not completely dry, often but not completely cloudy. where the cloud has broken, it is going to be quite a chilly start to the day, but most areas beginning with a lot of cloud, some mist and murk, some spots of rain and drizzle. now, through the day, i am hopeful that cloud will break a little bit. eastern scotland should see some sunny spells. parts of northern ireland, england and wales will see the cloud

thinning and breaking to reveal some brighter interludes. top temperatures between 1a and 17 degrees, light winds down towards the south, but it will be quite easy further north. through wednesday night into thursday, this cloud continues to feed in with some mist and hill fog, some spots of rain and temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. some more persistent rain, though, beginning to develop in the north of scotland, and that's the first sign of a change. this weather front dropping into the picture during thursday will bring some outbreaks of rain southwards across scotland, that rain particularly heavy and persistent in the northwest highlands, some of that rain getting into northern ireland later in the day accompanied by a strong wind and a wind that will change direction and will start to come down from the north, bringing the first hint of some colder air into northern scotland. further south, england and wales mainly dry, often cloudy. once again, 16 or 17 degrees. but as we move through thursday night into friday, that weather front will make progress southwards. you can tell from the blue triangles

that this is a cold front. that means it is introducing colder air, the blue shades spreading southwards across the chart for friday. across the northern half of the uk, friday is likely to begin with a touch of frost, and it certainly will feel chillier. but what the front is also doing is it's clearing a lot of the cloud away, so there will be more in the way of sunshine. 15 or 16 degrees down towards the south, but further north — look at that — just 9 in aberdeen. but that colder spell won't last all that long. milder conditions will return from the west during the weekend. with that, we'll start to see some outbreaks of rain.

this is bbc news. the headlines: there have been pledges to help the afghan people at a virtual summit of g20 leaders, but many have stressed this doesn't mean recognising the taliban. the uk's initial response to the covid pandemic was one of the worst national public health failures ever, according to a report by mps. the british government minister responsible for overseeing brexit has proposed replacing the deal signed with the european union over northern ireland with an entirely new protocol. the protocol aims to prevent a hard border on the island of ireland while safeguarding the eu's single market. a us coroner has concluded that gabby petito, who went missing while travelling across country with her boyfriend, died from strangulation. police are still searching for her boyfriend and are appealing for information on his whereabouts.