this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. pope francis calls for radical decisions at next week's climate change summit in a special message filmed for the bbc. translation: this crisis place in front of us radical— decisions that are not easy, but each hurdle also represents an opportunity that cannot be wasted. ahead of the summit, the pontiff also held an audience with president biden, only the second catholic president in us history. poland's lawmakers approve a controversial plan to build a wall along its eastern border in response to a big rise in migrants trying to cross from belarus.

the uk has seen the highest recorded level of coronavirus infection since the pandemic began. eager tojust 1.3 mean people may have had the virus last week alone. and we visit the afghan city ofjalalabad, ground zero in a deadly battle for supremacy between taliban forces and militants from the islamic state group. hello, and welcome if you're watching on pbs in the us or around the world. three days before the crucial cop26 climate summit, the pope has called on the global leaders to make radical decisions and offer hope to the world. in a message recorded by the bbc, pope francis called on all those at the summit to act now to tackle global warming. later, he met the us presidentjoe biden, who's in rome for a summit of 620 leaders. our north america editorjon sopel

is travelling with president biden and he sent this report. the ruler of the world's pre—eminent superpower en route to meet the world's most powerful religious leader. but forjoe biden, only america's second roman catholic president, this is an audience with his spiritual guide, and clearly someone he admires enormously. you are the most significant warrior for peace i've ever met. and with your permission, i'd like to be able to give you a coin. i know my son would want me to give you this to you. the president gave him a coin as a gift, and thenjoked about his irish heritage. i'm the only irishman you've ever met who's never had a drink! and the pope chose the bbc today, in particular thought for the day on radio 4, to deliver a firm message to the political elite ahead of next week's crucial cop26 summit.

translation: the political- decision-makers who will meet at cop26 in glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations. joe biden agrees with the pope about the urgency, but will words be matched by actions? the motorcades will be sweeping through rome this weekend, through glasgow next week, world leaders tasked with saving the planet. so, no big deal, then. around the world, there have been protests of varying size to chivvy world leaders into action. this was the scene in tel aviv today. in glasgow, outside where the summit will be held next week, the demonstrators seem to be outnumbered by security guards. and in london, greta thunberg was the star attraction. she's buried somewhere in this mob of photographers.

and she had this message for president biden. when you are leader of the most powerful country in the world, i you have lots of responsibility. and when the us is actually, in fact, expanding fossil- fuel infrastructure, that is a clear sign| that they are not really treating - the climate crisis as an emergency. and this salvo to other nations from the former california governor and terminator star. all of those countries that come and give speeches, "we are not going to go and lose jobs because of going greener", they're liars. they're just stupid, and they don't know how to do it. joe biden, on this trip to europe, wants to show that america is leading the world in tackling climate change. but his 85—vehicle convoy, most of which were flown in from the us, may not be leading by example. or in this holy city, practising what you preach. after that meeting with the pope,

president biden met his french counterpart, emmanuel macron. relations between the us and france had been strained by what's known as the aukus deal, which brought closer military co operation between america, australia and the uk while sidelining france from a deal to sell submarines to australia. that enraged paris and led to some frantic diplomacy to smooth things over. and president biden now says things could have been done a little bit better. what happened was, to use an english phrase, what we did was clumsy. it wasn't done with a lot of grace. i was under the impression that certain things had happened that hadn't happened. but i want to make it clear, france is an extremely, extremely valued partner. here'sjon sopel again. well, i think the french would want to move on from it, although they were clearly furious.

i mean, the french withdrew their ambassador from washington, and that just hadn't happened before. in the history of this kind of long relationship, and america's relationship with france is the oldest relationship. both formed out of the revolutions of 250 plus years ago. so i think that it was a really serious breach, and i thinkjoe biden is trying to make it better. hard to see with the french have got out of it, though, that is of any significance if they were looking for some kind of payback for the slight that they felt had been delivered. polish parliament has given the green light to build a wall across his eastern wall with belarus in order to halt a wave of migration. this is in retaliation for eu

sanctions against minsky. jessica parker has more details. in sanctions against minsky. jessica parker has more details. in terms of details about — parker has more details. in terms of details about what _ parker has more details. in terms of details about what this _ parker has more details. in terms of details about what this will - parker has more details. in terms of details about what this will cost - parker has more details. in terms of details about what this will cost or i details about what this will cost or what it will do, i am told it will cost around $400 million on b 5.5 metres high and equipped with motion sensors and a monitoring system and covering about half of the 400 km border. the plan it seems is to try and get it out by the middle of next year. why is this wall being built? well, there have been concerns about the number of migrant crossings from belarus. now the regime in belarus has been accused of basically weapon icing migrants in retaliation for sanctions, eu sanctions against the regime. and poland has reported a surge in migrants crossing the border and a number of migrants have actually died as well. so this in the polish government's view is a

way to deal with that migratory pressure and truck to deter migrants and how the situation but critics of the plant say that it will not be effective and that walls should not beat being built on borders. in terms of the european union position on this, have not seen any official reaction tonight, but the commission president recently said that there would be no eu funding for barbed wire or walls and basically holy but had to pay for this is cell. by the polish government does seem very determined to press on with building this wall, although it is as you said controversial in some quarters. the us drug regulator has approved the pfizer/biontech coronavirus vaccine for children aged five to ii. this makes it the first shot available for young children in the united states. the decision is expected to make the vaccine available to 28 million american children, many of whom are back in school for in person learning in the coming days.

the uk recorded higher levels of covid infection, in the week to last friday, than at any time last winter. the office for national statistics has estimated that 1.3 million people would have tested positive in that period. that's one in every 55. and in the last hour or so, the government has announced more flexibility on when people in england can get their booster jabs. here's our health editor hugh pym. boosterjabs like these being delivered in leeds today are seen by ministers as vital in the drive to keep the head of the virus. they're offered six months after a second dose, but from today, there'll be flexibility on that, with some getting the jabs more quickly, including in care homes. what we've done now is working with the nhs is to say that you can have more flexibility and be more pragmatic on the timing, and what that really means is if someone is very close to the six—month point, but not quite there, that the nhs can just be pragmatic. so, for example, if someone,

a doctor, is visiting a care home and there might be one or two residents that are just short of the six—month point, they use their discretion. infections among schoolchildren have been one of the main factors in a recent rise in covid cases. 0verall numbers are now falling a little, but half—term may be part of the explanation, as fewer pupils come forward for tests. the office for national statistics does regular household testing, which picks up the underlying trend. the latest 0ns survey suggests that last week 1.3 million people in the uk had the virus, higher than injanuary. in england, one in 50 people have the virus, in wales, it was one in 40. and in both scotland and northern ireland, one in 75 people. there were increases in all the uk's nations. so, what might the 0ns data tell us about this week when it's published? i wouldn't be surprised to see a reduction in our data

in the next week or so. however, what we saw this time last year was that little half—term reduction followed by a significant increase. so, i really am not being complacent there. covid hospital admissions are about a quarter of a level they were in january, thanks to protection offered by vaccines. but there are warnings that the months ahead could yet be challenging with the spread of the virus. we seem to have stalled . at a high level of infection, which is not where we want to be as we move into winter. - it's really difficult to tell what's going to happen next. - we could have exponential growth, | or we could see a gradual decline. | wales has the highest infection rates in the uk, and new measures are being brought into tackle the virus. covid passes are being extended to cinemas, theatres and concert halls and other venues may yet be included. the first minister said the pandemic is from over. hugh pym, bbc news.

queen elizabeth has been told by her doctors to rest for at least another two weeks. they've advised that she can continue to undertake light, desk—based duties including some virtual audiences, but she should not to undertake any official visits. it means that she would not be able to attend the festival of remembrance on the 13th of november but the palisade she is firm and her intention to attend the remembrance ceremony on the 14th. she cancelled her trip to northern ireland last week and returned to the hospital for medical checks followed by a return to windsor. then they announced she will not attend the summit in glasgow this week. johnny diamond reports. but this fortnight essentially gives her a couple of weeks now of not travelling, not meeting people, only carrying

out virtual engagements, light desk—based duties, to recover from what seems like a sort of bout of fatigue. you know, she's carried out, what, three different engagements in the last three days. she has smiled broadly through a couple of them. she doesn't appear to be actually unwell, as many of us would see it. but she's clearly been a bit too tired to do travel, either to northern ireland, that was cancelled last week, or to glasgow, that was cancelled this week. and the doctors have said, look, no more travel for a couple of weeks. she will miss the festival of remembrance. that happens on the evening before remembrance sunday, but she will get to remembrance sunday. and the reason i bang on about this is because it is absolutely the most important day in the queen's calendar. it's the most important day in the royal calendar, but it is a very important day for her personally. and the fact that it was marked up by the palace is indicative, i think, of what this fortnight is about. it's just a chance to say,

look, there's not much in the diary, but we're not going to do any travel. we are going to keep it and keep the queen in windsor, and we will be back on remembrance sunday on the 14th. stay with us on bbc news. still to come — britain summons the french ambassadorfor a dressing down in a row over post for fishing rights. indira gandhi, ruler of the world's largest democracy, died today. 0nly 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 world news. the latest headlines — pope francis calls for radical decisions at next week's climate change summit in a special message filmed by the bbc. poland's lawmakers approve a controversial plan to build a wall along its eastern border in response to a big rise in migrants trying to cross from belarus.

the french ambassador to the uk has been to the foreign office after being summoned by the uk government in the escalating and increasingly acrimonious row between the two countries over post brexit fishing rights. earlier, a british government minister had warned of potential retaliation if uk trawlers were blocked from landing their catches at french ports. let's get the latest from our political correspondent alex forsyth. jersey is on the front line of the fight over fishing rights, caught in an escalating row. authorities here and across the uk say they have issued licences to french boats that can prove a history of fishing these waters, as agreed after brexit. but france says dozens have been unfairly denied. the local fishermen, like their counterparts across the channel, are frustrated and worried. the feeling amongst the fleet yesterday was one of absolute despair. certainly, there are real difficult times ahead, and our big worry down here is how are we going to try and preserve the fleet and come out the other end

with a fishing fleet intact. this week, a british trawler was detained by french authorities in a dispute over paperwork, a warning shot about what might follow. france has threatened further checks on vessels, said it could stop british boats landing at french ports, even suggested it could disrupt cross—channel trade or energy supplies. today, uk ministers said they were prepared to retaliate. two can play at that game, is what i would say, but in the first instance, what we're doing is raising this with the european commission. it's always open to us to increase the enforcement that we do on french vessels, to board more of them if that's what they're doing to our vessels. today, the french ambassador was summoned to the foreign office, a rare public rebuke for the threats made. but while the language on both sides is ramping up, they are still talking. both here and in france, fishing is an emotional issue which carries political clout.

borisjohnson promised british fishermen brexit would mean a better deal. in france, president macron�*s facing an election, which brings its own pressures. both sides have reasons to take a tough stance, but both know a serious escalation could be damaging. this spring, french boats staged a protest offjersey over the same issue. the uk says it wants a diplomatic solution to this ongoing dispute. france has set a deadline of tuesday for it to be resolved. there is a time for flexing muscles and putting, you know, _ your trump cards on the table. there are times for negotiations. the next step is really negotiation. this afternoon, the prime minister left downing street to head to rome to meet world leaders, including president macron, who arrived earlier. there, the two are expected to have talks on the fringes to see if they can relieve this tension.

us officials are warning that the islamic state group's branch in afghanistan could be in a position to launch attacks abroad in as little as six months�* time, though the taliban insist they won't allow that to happen. the two groups are fierce rivals, but is is far smaller than the taliban. in the east of the country, a murky and bloody conflict is escalating between the two sides. secunder kermani and cameraman malik mudassir travelled to the city of jalalabad. a new chapter is beginning in this conflict. we have come to its front line. the taliban now rule the country, but here injalalabad, they're facing an almost daily stream of targeted attacks by the local branch of the islamic state group. this a roadside bombing — the hit—and—run tactics of the taliban now used against them.

it's notjust the taliban who are under attack. this person was a prominent social activist. his two young sons saw him gunned down earlier this month. translation: when the taliban took power, we were hopeful that - all the killing and violence would finally stop, but now we face this new phenomenon with the name of is. the taliban's intelligence service has detained dozens of alleged is members. hundreds escaped from prison during the group's takeover. dead bodies with notes labelling them is fighters are dumped by the road every few days. but the taliban won't admit responsibility for the extrajudicial killings. they accuse is of being extremists. is accuse the taliban of not being radical enough. there are almost daily attacks injalalabad, it seems.

are you really in control of the situation here? translation: just as we defeated international forces _ on the battlefield with the blessing of allah, we tell the world not to worry about any small group of traitors carrying out attacks here. they will be defeated, too. is has been launching attacks for years, but they've spread to new parts of the country since the taliban came to power. this, a twin suicide bombing on a shia mosque in the taliban stronghold of kandahar. the group don't control any territory, but they have deadly cells, particularly here injalalabad. is is much less powerful than the taliban, but the attacks they're carrying out here are causing real concern, both for afghans exhausted by bloodshed and internationally. american officials warn

is could launch foreign operations in as little as six months�* time. this former member says the group has global ambitions, but lacks capacity. translation: they issue | threats to the whole world. they wanted to establish their rule everywhere, i but those are just words. they're not powerful enough to take over afghanistan. i the taliban have increased security around eastern afghanistan. publicly, they're playing down the threat from is, but many fear more violence lies ahead. secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad. a prominent film actor from southern india, puneeth rajkumar, has died at the age of 46. there's been an outpouring of grief among his fans. as you can see in these pictures, thousands have gathered outside the hospital and his home. shops in the city of bengaluru have closed due to fears that the gatherings

could turn violent. puneeth rajkumar was described as the "superstar" of the kannada language film industry. i have spoken to a london film critic for the legacy he leaves behind. i critic for the legacy he leaves behind. ., , , ., ., behind. i had met his brother who himself is a _ behind. i had met his brother who himself is a huge _ behind. i had met his brother who himself is a huge star _ behind. i had met his brother who himself is a huge star in _ behind. i had met his brother who himself is a huge star in his - behind. i had met his brother who himself is a huge star in his own l himself is a huge star in his own right, and i think everybody is in just a state of shock, myself included, becausejust just a state of shock, myself included, because just yesterday he was performing on stage with his brother and with a very prominent star on stage. and to hear this news this morning just has taken everyone by a total shock. he was just 46 years of age, so much promise, so much talent, 29 films old with lots of films being made still. and this is happened and it is totally a shock and thousands have as you mentioned, thousands have been mourning his death and it's been a really sad. i been watching a lot of

the footage coming in from there and thousands are there to pay tribute to him. �* , ., , to him. and we did see in those ictures to him. and we did see in those pictures just — to him. and we did see in those picturesjust now, _ to him. and we did see in those pictures just now, those - to him. and we did see in those picturesjust now, those fans i pictures just now, those fans thronging the hospital and outside his home, just a little bit about the influence that he had with his fans. the influence that he had with his fans, ., , , the influence that he had with his fans. ., , , ., fans. so, he has been on their screens from _ fans. so, he has been on their screens from the _ fans. so, he has been on their screens from the time - fans. so, he has been on their screens from the time he - fans. so, he has been on their screens from the time he was| fans. so, he has been on theirl screens from the time he was a child. so they have seen him growing up child. so they have seen him growing up on screen with them. he acted with his father in fact in a film where he sank, he acted and this was a little boy who has then played lots of roles with his father. his father was one of the most beloved actors of his time, and this is why the fans are all reacting in the shop. they cannot believe this has happened. this had to be a ban on liquor in bengaluru for two nights and this was a guy who did notjust act on screen as he grew up, he became an education champion and is

a philanthropist and has donated his life like his father did. he come from a family that has so much gravitas that this is even for me right now, feeling a bit tearful just looking about what has happened and how he has been snatched away very similar to what the prime minister of india has said. it is a cruel twist of fate because he was on stage just a few hours ago and then he is no more.— on stage just a few hours ago and then he is no more. speaking to a film critic here _ then he is no more. speaking to a film critic here in _ then he is no more. speaking to a film critic here in london - then he is no more. speaking to a film critic here in london about i then he is no more. speaking to al film critic here in london about the death of puneeth rajkumar. the pope might have some big ideas as we have been hearing about what should happen at the climate summit in glasgow. but so does one german artist who's just rolled into town. arnd drossel has been getting around town using a giant sphere. he's hoping raise awareness of what every individual can do to tackle climate change. the journey from his home town in paderborn to the host city lasted three months and took him through seven countries

and more than 60 cities. do you stay with us here at bbc news. good evening. there is yet more rain in the forecast for this weekend. not great news for those many parts of the uk that could really do with a chance to dry out. but the one thing we can say is that the various bouts of rain should move through fairly quickly, so there will be some drier, clearer, even sunnier gaps in between. this is how things turned out today. heavy rain that drifted across parts of wales, northwest england and made for a really soggy afternoon across scotland. we saw some showers following on, and then this line of showery rain pushing in from the west. and that is going to work its way eastwards as we move through friday night into the first part of saturday morning. things, though, by the end of the night should be drying out again across northern ireland, and for the eastern side of scotland, down the eastern side of england where we hold onto clear

skies, one or two places will turn a little bit chilly. but tomorrow morning will start cloudy and wet for many, thanks to this frontal system which will be pushing its way eastwards. but at least it is moving eastwards. so it offers the promise of something drier and brighter following on from the west. you can see our band of rain as it slides eastwards across scotland, moving out of wales fairly quickly, sliding eastwards across england. northern ireland will start the day with sunshine, holding on to that through the day, albeit with one or two showers. and those sunnier skies with a scattering of showers will spread further east as the day wears on. top temperatures between 11—15 celsius. if anything, a little cooler and fresher than it has been during today. another slice of clear skies for saturday night, so, again, it will turn a little chilly in places, but there is another weather system working in from the west. don't forget, though, through the early hours of sunday, the clocks go back an hour. you will get an extra hour in bed, but while the clocks change, the weather story doesn't really. it stays unsettled.

low pressure dominating for sunday, in fact, potentially quite a deep low, so not only rain in the forecast, we're likely to see some quite strong winds as well. again, the band of rain should move through quite quickly. heavy showers following on behind with some sunshine, some very strong winds, which could touch gale force around some western coasts. top temperatures for sunday afternoon, again, quite a cool, fresh feel between 10—14 celsius. and we stick with some cool, perhaps even chilly weather as we head into next week. we will see showers for a time, but it should turn drier for midweek onwards.

at ten o'clock, clive will be here for a full round of of the davis button is, first though it time for newscast. what are we going to ask keir starmer? i have been thinking about this for ages, because we have wanted to get him on the pod for ages, haven't we? there is so much we could ask. five—a—side football? i've always wanted to ask him about that. what's it like finally doing a conference speech? in front of actual people. reacting to the budget. in front of actual... hang on, he's got covid. he's at home. 0h. what are we going to do? we have got his stand in! it's the shadow chancellor rachel reeves, who did this very thing in the budget response in parliament this week. hello rachel. i got a whole 45 minutes notice for that. ooh! i want you to talk us to the moment when, i don't know what happened,

where were you, did the phone ring? when did it suddenly dawn on you, that oh, my goodness, i'm going to have to stand in for the boss?