welcome to bbc news — i'm david eades. our top stories. afghanistan is on a �*countdown to catastrophe,�* says the un, with millions facing starvation and despair. some are even selling their babies to buy food. even while we've been here, another person came up to one of our team, and asked if we would like to buy their child. the desperation and the urgency of this situation is hard to put in words. in sudan — at least seven people have been killed and dozens are injured — as soldiers open fire on crowds protesting against the military coup. washington confirms its new coronavirus rules, for travel to the us — tourists will need proof they've been vaccinated, and a negative covid test.

and they say it's the best medicine, so it's no surprise that laughter therapy is on the rise. we'll talk to an expert later. we start in afghanistan — with a distressing snapshot — of the unravelling humanitarian situation. the un has warned that millions are facing starvation with the situation deteriorating sharply, since the taliban seized power in august. international funds, which propped up the economy have been stopped — as the world debates how to deal with the new regime. our correspondent, yogita limaye — cameraman sanjay ganguly — and producer imogen anderson have witnessed, first—hand, the dire situation on the ground in herat.

a warning — there are disturbing images, in this report, from the start. this is what starvation does to a country. to its tiniest lives. six—month—old usman. habib ur—rehman, born three months ago. afghanistan was barely surviving before the taliban took over, but now foreign funds which propped up this country have been frozen. putting at leasti million children at risk of dying. in this ward, one in five will not make it. usman weighs less than half of what he should. his father among millions

who have no work. usman�*s mother told us, his twin is in a room next door. this hospital is full. some babies are already sharing a bed. while we were there, six more children were brought in. it's the only facility for hundreds of miles because, without foreign money, most hospitals are collapsing. doctors and nurses among masses of government workers who haven't been paid for months.

a third of the country's people don't know where their next meal will come from. we travelled out of herat to a rural settlement. tens of thousands displaced from remote provinces by decades of war and severe drought. no means of income, barely any food.

her husband used to collect rubbish, but even that earns him nothing now. once the baby is able to walk, she'll be taken away by the man who bought her. he's paid more than half of the £400 she's been sold for. that will get the family through a few months. they've been told the girl will be married to his child, but no one can be sure. we know there are other families here who've sold their children, and even while we've been here, another person came up to one

of our team and asked if we would like to buy their child. the desperation and the urgency of the situation is hard to put in words. there is no more time left to reach the people of afghanistan. it cannot wait while the world debates whether or not to recognise a taliban government. nearby, aid agencies hand out parcels that might save some children from hunger. alone, they can't provide for the staggering needs. giving the taliban money without guarantees on human rights and how the funds will be used is dangerous. but afghanistan is sinking fast. millions here will not survive the winter. yogita limaye, bbc news, herat. i spoke to shaza moghraby from the u.n's world food progamme to hear more about the scale of the crisis. what we are looking at is a crisis that is fast going into

one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. in the ten years that the un has been conducting analysis and food assessments this is the first time that we see so many people suffering such cute levels and emergency levels of food insecurity. so the situation is very, very critical at this stage and we have been warning about this for quite some time so the results of the confirmed our very worst fears. we are at this point of no return and the situation can get even worse if we do not get the resources that we need to support the people who are in desperate need and rely on our life—saving support. sorry to interrupt you but you said your worst fears are being realised. part of those fears are very simple and political. the funding of the readiness to

funding of the readiness to fund with the taliban in control are simply not there. yes. i mean, what we need to do, we need to separate, mean the report says it all. the painful images that we are seeing. we are at a situation where we need to separate any negotiations happening on the ground. the politics from the humanitarian because the scale that we are looking at is really, really severe. millions of children are acutely malnourished. those babies that are fighting life—threatening illnesses are probably doing so and empty stomachs so we cannot afford to wait any longer and with winter fast approaching, we need to have the funds as urgently as possible. i’m we need to have the funds as urgently as possible. i'm sorry to interrupt — urgently as possible. i'm sorry to interrupt you. _ urgently as possible. i'm sorry to interrupt you. what - urgently as possible. i'm sorry to interrupt you. what is - urgently as possible. i'm sorry to interrupt you. what is the l to interrupt you. what is the number? what are you looking at? what you need now to about this catastrophe? we

at? what you need now to about this catastrophe?— at? what you need now to about this catastrophe? we need about $210 million _ this catastrophe? we need about $210 million every _ this catastrophe? we need about $210 million every single - this catastrophe? we need about $210 million every single monthl $210 million every single month in order to reach the 23 million people in afghanistan. the united states has suspended a big aid package to sudan amid worldwide condemnation of the military coup there. the seven hundred million dollar economic support fund was intended to help sudan's transition to democracy. crowds of people remain on the streets to protest against the coup. seven people are known to have been killed and dozens injured in clashes with the security forces, while troops are reported to be going from house to house to arrest protst organisers. anne soy reports. keeping the flames of democracy alive. it is here on the streets of sudan cities they were fanned, and the people are back trying to stop the military extinguishing them. they shared power with the army and there was the promise of elections, so the coup is seen as a betrayal.

translation: we re'ect it completely. * we have to go back to the constitutional document. the government should be handed to civilians and you should free all those you detained. thousands heeded the call to defend democracy and some are paying a heavy price. but many of these images were blocked on state media. they played patriotic songs all day instead, breaking only to bring this announcement by the head of the ruling council. translation: first, a state of emergency is declared - all over the country. protesters believe the military possible actions today, including putting the prime minister under house arrest, speak far louder than their words. many, including aid agencies in the country, are concerned about what happens now. we're just so concerned. this was a big humanitarian

situation before, with 14- million people in need - of humanitarian assistance. there are over a million refugees hosted here, i and yet this country- is struggling to move on, and it was in some ways, i it feels like everything has gone back to square one. it's just two years since the streets last looked like this, with long—term leader al—bashir being overthrown. it was hoped there would be some stability, but today, that hope seems shattered. anne soy, bbc news. let s get some of the day s other news. the egyptian president, abdel fattah al sisi, has ended the state of emergency that had been in force in egypt since april twenty seventeen. in a facebook post, mr al sisi said he would not be extending the measure because egypt had become — as he put it — an oasis of security and stability.

the electric carmaker, tesla, reached a market value of one trillion dollars on monday. it's the first vehicle manufacturer and only the fifth company to do so. tesla shares climbed sharply after it struck a deal to sell one hundred thousand vehicles to the car rental firm hertz. facebook has removed a video by brazilian presidentjair bolsonaro from its platforms because he made false claims suggesting coronavirus vaccines could cause aids. in this video — president bolsonaro can be seen reading from a fake scientific study, which has been widely circulated amongst conspiracy theorists on social media. a powerful storm described as a "bomb cyclone," has continued to cause flooding and mudsides across california. sacramento county saw as much as 8 inches of rain and gale force winds have brought down power lines, and several areas are on high alert afterflash flooding. two people have died.

the australian prime minister, scott morrison, says he will confirm at next weekend's climate summit that australia intends to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. but mr morrison refused to strengthen emissions reduction targets for 2030. he said he would work to keep australia's coal mines open. australia is one of the world's largest coal and gas exporters and has long resisted adopting a carbon—neutral target. australians want action on climate change. they are taking action on climate change. they also want to protect their jobs and their livelihoods. they also want to keep the cost of living down. and they also want to protect the australian way of life, especially in rural and regional areas. scott morrison who will be going to the summit in glasgow next

week. the summit in glasgow next week. new covid rules are coming soon for travellers to the us — most people will need proof of vaccination — but bans on non—us citizens arriving from many countries will end. our north america correspondent peter bowes sent us this update. this is a major change in policy by the united states announced a few weeks ago but the biden administration is now providing some more details. it means that foreign nationals, those non—us citizens will be once again able to travel into the united states if they are fully vaccinated. they must�*ve received one of the vaccines authorised by the world health organization or the food and drug administration here in the united states. and they have to test negative in the three days, 72 hours before they travel. one exception is that this not apply to children under the age of 18. in some parts of the world not available for that age group for young people under the age of 18 may not be eligible yet

and one significant changes that the us citizens if they come back to the united states they do not have to be vaccinated but they have to test negative within 2a hours. 24—hour is before they board a flight. previously it was three days so there is actually a tightening of restrictions there and perhaps another message from the biden administration to all americans wherever they are that they should get the vaccination. once people arrive in the united states there are no further restrictions, there is no quarantine, there will be some collecting of information, contact information for tracing purposes by the airline when people get to this country and it will be the responsibility of the airlines to police the situation. for those airlines, clearly good news. they have wanted for many months and it is good news from business in this country and for the tourism industry.

stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the british school introducing laughter therapy to tackle a rise in depression among children. indira gandhi, ruler of the world's largest democracy, died today. only yesterday, she had spoken of dying in the service of her country and said, "i would be proud of it. "every drop of my blood will contribute to the "growth of this nation." after 46 years of unhappiness, these two countries have concluded a chapter of history. no more suspicion, no more fear, no more uncertainty of what each day might bring. booster ignition and lift off. of discovery with a crew of six astronaut heroes and one american legend. - this is beautiful. a milestone in human history. born today, this girl in india

is the seven billionth person on the planet. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. the un warns of a countdown to catastrophy in afghanistan — with millions of people facing starvation and despair. washington confirms its new coronavirus rules, for travel to the us — tourists will need proof they've been vaccinated, and a negative covid test.

more details have emerged about the events that led to the tragic death of a crew member on the set of alec baldwin's new film, rust. an affidavit released on sunday reveals the actor was drawing a revolver across his body and pointing it at a camera, during rehearsal when the weapon fired. a live round struck the cinematographer halyna hutchins in the chest, it also injured the directorjoel souza. according to the affadavit, the actor was told that the prop wasn't loaded. but according to the la times, just over a week ago baldwin's stunt double accidentally fired two rounds from a prop firearm after being told that weapon was "cold", not loaded with ammunition. earlier i spoke to film director bandar albuliwi who told me why he's started a petition calling for real firearms to be banned from film sets. i began the petition shortly after i discovered that halyna hutchins was murdered in that set. within the hour that the need to make some change so what did i do, i went to change

dog dog and i decided to start the petition. and basically i just wrote down everything that i know is wrong with the industry. whether it the crew working conditions. we have crewmembers doing 14—16 hour days daily sometimes without a days daily sometimes without a day off. and on top of that we are asking them to go to work where there are guns being fired at them. these crewmembers make movies like the matrix with a rave in the matrix. people need to understand that. they cannot slow bullet and just dodge it at the last minute. real change needs to happen. real change needs to happen. an increasing number of school children are suffering from anxiety and depression thanks to the covid—i9 pandemic, as well as the ever growing influence of social media sites like instagram and tiktok. in the united states — the prevalence of depression amongst the nation's young has risen by 63%. and mental health related emergency department visits have increased by a quarter for those aged 5 to ii, and rose almost a third for teenagers. the statistics are shocking but there is hope as schools

and medical professionals try new and exciting ways to alleviate depression amongst the young. one school here in the uk has brought in laughter therapists to help pupils relax and feel more confident. scientists do believe laughter can combat the serious impact of depression and anxiety. so how does it work? let's talk to loretta laroche world famous stress management consultant and author. world famous stress management the world famous stress management pressure is on y convince the pressure is on you to convince us that, you know, laughter therapy is something that really can make that difference?— that really can make that difference? ~ ., , , difference? well, it absolutely does. laughter _ difference? well, it absolutely does. laughter is _ difference? well, it absolutely does. laughter is a _ difference? well, it absolutely does. laughter is a definite i does. laughter is a definite asset for mental health because when you are not laughing you are segueing into depression and anxiety. you have the less you laugh and pretty soon

you're clinically depressed. a person is a sense of humour is able to have a better perspective on life. and unfortunately, we don't look at humour as an essential tool. we think it is frivolous. or were going to last friday, maybe next week. maybe will have more fun and laugh on vacation. but it is essential on a daily basis. . it is essential on a daily basis, ., ., , it is essential on a daily basis. ., ., ., basis. so what does a laughter thera - ist basis. so what does a laughter therapist actually _ basis. so what does a laughter therapist actually do _ basis. so what does a laughter therapist actually do with - therapist actually do with kids? how do you sort of bring it out? i kids? how do you sort of bring it out? ., ., ., it out? i have to admit, i really haven't _ it out? i have to admit, i really haven't done - it out? i have to admit, i really haven't done as i it out? i have to admit, i i really haven't done as much work with children as they have adults because if the adults attain have—nots advocated for attain have—nots advocated for a sense of humour in their children they are certainly not going to have one, are they? unfortunately, adults just seem to gravitate towards fear and

negativity and we do have something called negativity bias in our brains so we almost like being afraid. and when kids act out their silly, what does a parent normally do? stop it. you're being foolish, why that stupid grin off your face. it sounds like the adults are the ones who need the therapy. it is a stressful world. we are running away through a deeply impressed depressing bulletin in terms of what covering so what sort of methods do how do you make this work? i what sort of methods do how do you make this work?— you make this work? i have that i've done even _ you make this work? i have that i've done even with _ you make this work? i have that i've done even with the - you make this work? i have that i've done even with the irs. - i've done even with the irs. and generals and people want to laugh. so i'm going to try something with you, how about that? i something with you, how about that? ., something with you, how about that? . ., something with you, how about that?_ are - something with you, how about that?_ are you - something with you, how about l that?_ are you ready?

that? i am game. are you ready? i love the — that? i am game. are you ready? i love the brits. _ that? i am game. are you ready? i love the brits. they _ that? i am game. are you ready? i love the brits. they have - that? i am game. are you ready? i love the brits. they have an - i love the brits. they have an extraordinary sense of humour. i was in a programmejohn cleese and who could be funnier than him? whoever is there, put a smile on your face. than him? whoever is there, put a smile on yourface. a big smile. this is when you smile broadly you actually activate a lot of dopamine in your brain and that is the happiness centre. the new matthew release endorphins and they are the chemical cousins to opiates such as heroin. show your molars. if you don't have a need to show your gums. that is what ou need to show your gums. that is what you want. _ need to show your gums. that is what you want. open _ need to show your gums. that is what you want. open your- need to show your gums. that is what you want. open your eyes. what you want. open your eyes out wide like _ what you want. open your eyes out wide like you _ what you want. open your eyes out wide like you are _ what you want. open your eyes out wide like you are in - what you want. open your eyes out wide like you are in a - out wide like you are in a while state. a lot of us forget that there are things in the world that we can go, well, isn't that great? you can do that in the morning when you wake up. open your eyes and say, well. iam back. i

wake up. open your eyes and say, well. i am back.- wake up. open your eyes and say, well. i am back. i have to sa , it say, well. i am back. i have to say. it is _ say, well. i am back. i have to say. it is like _ say, well. i am back. i have to say, it is like 3:30am. - say, well. i am back. i have to say, it is like 3:30am. i'm - say, it is like 3:30am. i'm doing well to keep my eyes open in the first place.— in the first place. raise your eyebrows — in the first place. raise your eyebrows see _ in the first place. raise your eyebrows see that _ in the first place. raise your eyebrows see that tall - in the first place. raise your eyebrows see that tall and l eyebrows see that tall and thin. . . ., ., eyebrows see that tall and thin. .. ., ., ., eyebrows see that tall and thin. ., ., ., ., ., thin. reached out and hold onto our thin. reached out and hold onto your belly- _ thin. reached out and hold onto your belly- if— thin. reached out and hold onto your belly. if you're _ thin. reached out and hold onto your belly. if you're not - your belly. if you're not having a belly laugh you are not having a full mind—body laugh. you've got to feel that veryjiggling and some of us have two or three. my mother used to call it the berry that happens as you get older. everything cascades down so you had to three to hang onto. hold onto your belly and this is called fake it till you make it. you going to google for 30 seconds for no reason at all. and it is like hair. a lot of people laugh like this. i think thatis people laugh like this. i think that is why we are selling so

much toilet paper. everyone smile, open your eyes, hold onto your belly and let's just give it a whirl. here we go. one, two, three. her hair. one, two, three. her everyone in the gallery is having a belly laugh as well. thank you very much indeed. laughter therapy in action here on bbc world news. many thanks indeed. have a great day and night. we will do our best. that is how you do it. if you are not crying could be laughing. astronomers have found hints of what could be the first planet — ever to be discovered — outside our galaxy. the possible planet was located by nasa here in the messier 51 galaxy — also known as the whirlpool galaxy — some 28 million light years away from earth. nearly 5,000 "exoplanets" — worlds orbiting stars beyond our sun — have been found so far, but all of these

have been within our own milky way galaxy. hello there. after a day of sunshine and showers on monday, the weather on tuesday is going to look very different, and here's why. this cloud here in the atlantic is pushing in from the west, and that's bringing with it some outbreaks of rain. ahead of that, though, with some clearer skies, it will be a bit cooler across eastern scotland and eastern parts of england. but out to the west, it's milder to start the day with this rain around. some quite heavy rain, too. that rain shouldn't last too long. in northern ireland, we'll see a a spell of rain pushing eastwards through the morning across scotland and northern england, but the rain further south tends to become light and patchy. most of that rain will have cleared in the afternoon, leaving some drizzle around some western hills, but to the east of high ground, perhaps some sunshine, many places becoming dry in the afternoon. strong south—westerly winds, very mild day — temperatures widely 16—17

celsius, quite a bit warmer than it was on monday for the northern half of the uk. but there's still some rain in the far northwest. that's on that weather front there, and that is going to move its way southwards overnight and into wednesday. it's going to hang around across some different parts of the uk during the day. all the while, though, we're pulling in air from a long way south, which is why it's so mild for late october. but there's some rain around, which is going to be quite heavy over some of the hills. that rain mainly affecting north wales, northwest england, could push back into parts of northern ireland, more especially into southern scotland. to the northwest, there will be some sunshine for a while and some showers, and to the south of our rain band, it should be brightening up. a little bit of sunshine coming through, still quite windy, but very mild. temperatures getting up to 18 celsius. now, looking at the rain fall accumulation during wednesday and thursday, i want to highlight the areas that will see the heaviest of the rain. these are these bright colours here. it looks like it's going to be particularly wet in the southern uplands, but also into cumbria, and that

could lead to some flooding. because that rain is still around on thursday, it may turn a bit drier across some northwestern parts of scotland and also northern ireland, as the rain just pivots into more of england and wales. through the midlands and much of eastern england, it's likely to still be dry, and with a bit of sunshine, those temperatures again reaching 18 celsius. so, a lot going on over the next few days or so. it's going to be quite windy. the winds, though, are going to be in from the southwest, which is why it's going to be so mild, but as we've seen, there will be some rain around, mainly for the western side of the uk, and that will be heavy in the hills.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the un has warned of a countdown to catastrophe in afghanistan, with millions facing starvation. hospitals are already seeing increased levels of malnutrition. aid agencies say the situation has deteriorated sharply, since the taliban seized power in august. some families have become so desparate for money, they've sold their children. the united states has suspended a seven $700 million aid package to sudan after a military coup. at least seven people have been killed and dozens were injured when soldiers opened fire on crowds protesting against the takeover, and demanding the restoration of civilian rule. the united states has confirmed its new requirements forforeign nationals travelling to the us by air. the rules, effective from november 8th, require travellers to show proof of a full covid vaccination, as well as a negative test. the public sector pay

freeze in england is coming to an end, with the chancellor announcing