secunder kermani, our correspondent _ running out.respondent in _ running out. secunder kermani, our correspondent in kabul, _ running out. secunder kermani, our correspondent in kabul, many- running out. secunder kermani, our l correspondent in kabul, many thanks. on wednesday, the chancellor, rishi sunak, will unveil his budget at westminster, which will include an increase in the national living wage. the current rate, which applies to workers aged 23 and over, is £8.91 an hour. mr sunak will announce that the new rate will be £9.50 an hour. that represents an increase of 6.6%, double the rate of inflation. the change will affect millions of low—paid workers but labour says much of that increase will be swallowed up by tax rises and cuts to universal credit. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has more details. behind the treasury�*s closed doors, the budget plans are being drawn up. but, while the official announcement�*s still days away, details of spending plans have started to emerge. today, news of a wage rise for some of

secunder kermani, bbc news.ricity grid has shut down, leaving the entire country without power for the second weekend. officials say it is unlikely that supplies will resume before monday amid an ongoing economic crisis. from beirut, here is our middle east correspondent anna foster. careful steps in the blackest of nights. for many, this is the reality of life now in lebanon. light and hope are in short supply. translation: the collector - comes at the end of each month to take 300,000 lire from me. and where is the electricity? there is no electricity. -- to take 300,000 lira from me. lebanon's national grid was already weak. when it works, it is only for one or two hours a day. but for the country's poorest that is a vital lifeline. people here are dealing with crisis after crisis and while the blackout was not a surprise, it is just another thing to make an already difficult life even tougher. this is keeping the lights on for 300 flats. those who can pay for expensive private generators but prices have doub

secunder kermani, bbc news. let's take a look at the uk's latest coronavirus figures.t data shows there were 36,060 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average 35,185 new cases were reported per day in the last week. 6,763 people were in hospital with coronavirus across the uk yesterday. there were 127 deaths, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. 108 deaths were announced on average every day in the past week. 85.4% of the population aged 12 or over have had their first dose of a vaccine, and 78.4% have had both doses. more than a0 million people across the uk are being offered a flu vaccine this year in the nhs�*s biggest campaign against the illness. health officials are worried because this will be the first winter that covid and flu will be in full circulation at the same time. research shows those infected with both viruses are more than twice as likely to die as someone with covid alone. the right to freedom of expression has been recognised by this year's nobel peace prize, which has been awarded to two journ

secunder kermani, bbc news.ore now on those first face to face talks between the us and the taliban since the american withdrawal from afghanistan in august. the bbc�*s yogita limaye is in doha where the talks are taking place. from the point of view of the taliban, this is part of a series of efforts from the group to try to gain international recognition. they met with uk diplomats a few days ago and now they are meeting us officials and the acting foreign minister of the taliban appointed government and who is leading the delegation in doha said they would also be meeting european officials soon. the reason they want to get international recognition is because it is directly linked to the unblocking of foreign funds into afghanistan which have been frozen since the group seized control of the country. but he also said that they do not want anyone to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, they are speaking against the backdrop of girls not being allowed to go to secondary schools in most parts of af

secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad.acement therapy on the nhs in england, have won a partial victory, to help all women experiencing the menopause. the government is to now only charge for the cost of one prescription of hrt a year. however, in scotland, wales, and northern ireland, the treatment is free. campaigners have been protesting outside parliament today, as our political correspondent helen catt reports. cheering. they are menopausal and they came to parliament square to shout about what that means. among them, some famous faces who have made breaking taboos around the menopause a personal mission. i am trying to help one woman at a time but in there, we just saw the start of something where it feels like all women will get help. it wasn't political, it was, like, it was the beginning of a female revolution. i'm postmenopausal so... for many women, the symptoms that come with menopause can be a shock. it affected the way- i was thinking and feeling. yeah, from confidence to mood swings to brain fog. _ adelle no

secunder kermani, bbc news.gnificant overhaul of the international tax system in a generation. after negotiations in paris headed by the 0ecd, an agreement was finally announced to provide a minimum rate of corporation tax. president biden says it will even the playing field around the world. here is how it will work. the minimum rate will be set at 15% — lower than the global average but higher than, for example, ireland's12.5% rate. 136 countries have signed up. 0nly kenya and nigeria, pakistan and sri lanka have refused. the organisation for economic co—operation and development, which brokered the deal, says countries will collect around $150 billion a year extra in tax revenues. i've been speaking to daniel bunn at the tax foundation about the significance of this deal. this is a deal, as you mentioned, for a generation or even multiple generations. it's been about 100 years since this sort of agreement has been met and get there is still a lot of road to run as far as implementing the deal, seeing whether

secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad.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 stat

secunder kermani, in kabul, thank you. expected to announce an increase in the national living wage in his budget on wednesday. the current rate — which applies to workers aged 23 and over — is £8.91. that will rise to £9.50, which is an increase of 6.6% — double the rate of inflation. the change will affect millions of low paid workers, but labour said much of the increase will be swallowed up by tax rises and cuts to universal credit. here's our political correspondent, alex forsyth. behind the treasury's closed doors, the budget plans are being drawn up, but while the official announcement is still days away, details of spending plans have started to emerge. today, news of a wage rise for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living _ for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living is _ for some of the lowest pays. the cost of living is a _ for some of the lowest pays. tue: cost of living is a really for some of the lowest pays. tte: cost of living is a really important issue, the key thing is today's announcement, an ex

for now, i secunder kermani, thanks very much indeed. secunder kermani there in kabul.tres will deliver a multi—standard set of diagnostics, so x—rays, ct, mri, ultrasound. in the case of our first community diagnostic centre in somerset, which is down in partnership with somerset nhs foundation trust, but is also a gp service inside the centre, so it really is part of the output of the richmond report to true diagnostic community hub, a multifunctional diagnostic capability. find community hub, a multifunctional diagnostic capability.— community hub, a multifunctional diagnostic capability. and we were talkin: a diagnostic capability. and we were talking a little _ diagnostic capability. and we were talking a little earlier _ diagnostic capability. and we were talking a little earlier to _ diagnostic capability. and we were talking a little earlier to a - diagnostic capability. and we were talking a little earlier to a couple i talking a little earlier to a couple of guests who were highlighting that, yes, all well and good, this money is very useful and were helped by

maryam: secunder kermani is in kabul with more on the u.n. report and what can be done. er: afghanistan has long been a country where many struggle to survive, but this is the largest number of people going hungry overwinter since the u.n. ban keeping records a decade ago. what we have seen as well and put into this u.n. report is hunger spreading from not just more rural, remote areas, but urban areas, because as yogita said in that report, so many government employees were not paid their salaries. they were not paid the last humans under the previous government. now they don't know when they are going to be paid. there are people who are professionally in middle-class jobs who are finding themselves in desperately difficult situations. the international community has not yet recnized the taliban. it is reluctant to engage directly with it and give direct foren grants. those foreign grants previously made up for around 75% of afghanistan's public expenditure. in addition to that, afghanistan foreign of reserves -- they are frozen. those are questions still being grappled

secunder kermani, bbc news, islamabad.kshire. many returned after the war to settle in britain. but there�*s no public memorial to reflect their contribution. campaigners who�*d like to create one have been told it wouldn�*t be "inclusive". abi jaiyeola reports. the efforts of the brave men and women who served in the royal air force during the second world war are well known. but there�*s some parts of the story that are perhaps less familiar. glenn parsons wants to highlight the contribution of thousands who came from the caribbean to train with the raf here in filey. the nazi peril was only 26 miles away across the english channel, and the americans, it was still 18 months before they came into the war. so the call went out, it went out to the small isles of the caribbean, and farmers, fishermen, women, answered that call and came here. and i feel very strongly, as do many other people in the black community, that that sacrifice to help this country has never properly been reflected. two of glenn�*s uncles travelled fro

our correspondent secunder kermani has more from the afghan capital kabul: some humanitarian aid is still now, it�*s simply not enough. but afghanistan�*s economy, including the vast majority of public spending — that�*s on things like health care, teachers�* salaries — all of that was deeply dependent on international funding, and that�*s what stopped at the same time $9 billion of afghanistan�*s foreign reserves were frozen by the united states. so, there�*s a real shortage of cash here, and that�*s what�*s driven this crisis. western diplomats, however, they have deep concerns about the taliban, about their willingness to crack down on groups like al-qaeda, for example, about their treatment of women and young girls. the taliban want international legitimacy, they say they want international assistance, but it�*s not clear what they�*re willing to compromise on to get it. time to find a solution to this, though, is running out. let�*s take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the egyptian president, abdel fattah al sisi, has ended the state of emergency that had been in force

secunder kermani, bbc news.ed a rebuttal after claims that reunification with china is inevitable. detention between the two has grown once again as they celebrate their national day. earlier i spoke to a researcher, scott harold, about the rising tensions between the two countries.— two countries. bei'ing seems to think that right _ two countries. beijing seems to think that right now _ two countries. beijing seems to think that right now is - two countries. beijing seems to think that right now is a - think that right now is a moment it needs to rattle its labour against taiwan because taiwan has been striving to push back against that pressure and the united states and allies and partners can see that the entire us—china relationship is premised on beijing resolving differences with taiwan peacefully. the united states, japan and the united states, japan and the united kingdom recently completed the naval exercises and four aircraft carriers in what is approximate to taiwan and what china is trying to do is s

secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad. 46. thousands of fans gathered where he died. shops in the city have closed due to fears that the gatherings could turn violent. puneeth rajkumar was described as the superstar out of his film industry. i�*ve been speaking to film critic us auntie about his legacy. i speaking to film critic us auntie about his legacy. i met his brother— auntie about his legacy. i met his brother who _ auntie about his legacy. i met his brother who himself - auntie about his legacy. i met his brother who himself is - auntie about his legacy. i met his brother who himself is a i his brother who himself is a star in his own right. i think everyone is in a state of shock because just yesterday, he was performing on stage with his brother and with a very prominent star on stage, and to hear this news, just has taken everyone by total shock. he was just 46 years old. so much promise, so much talent. 29 films, all with lots of films being made still, and this has happened. it�*s totally a shock and thousands

secunder kermani, bbc news. there has been a widespread reform of the tax system. it will result in additional tax revenues of around $150 billion each year. our correspondent reports. it is being heralded as a giant, 620 says a step towards curbing tax avoidance in a digital world.— curbing tax avoidance in a diaital world. , . , digital world. these agreements with the leader _ digital world. these agreements with the leader of _ digital world. these agreements with the leader of the _ digital world. these agreements with the leader of the ocd - digital world. these agreements with the leader of the ocd are l with the leader of the ocd are clearly a tax revolution, a tax revolution which will lead to less unfairness, to more justice, to more efficiency. to eliminate _ justice, to more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens and rake in more from multinationals, 136 nations agreed to a new global minimum tax rate of 15% on a firm's income, to stop them paying less elsewhere, and for a large chunk of their profits paid where they actually do business instead of where t

secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad. a prominent film actor has died at the age of 46. these pictures. thousands of people gathered outside the hospital and his home. shops in the hospital and his home. shops in the city have closed due to fears that gatherings could turn violent. he was described as the super start of the film industry. earlier, we spoke to london feel critic about the legacy he leaves behind. t spoke to london feel critic about the legacy he leaves behind. i have met his brother _ the legacy he leaves behind. i have met his brother who _ the legacy he leaves behind. i have met his brother who himself - the legacy he leaves behind. i have met his brother who himself is - met his brother who himself is a huge star in his own right. i think everyone is in a state of shock because just yesterday, he was performing. to hear this news this morning, just has taken everyone by total shock. morning, just has taken everyone by totalshock. he morning, just has taken everyone by total shock. he was only 46 years of age, so much promise and talent. 29 films, lots

secunder kermani, bbc news.ificant overhaul of the international tax system in a generation. 136 countries back to the accord under which the largest multinationals will pay a minimum tax rate of 15%. it is estimated it will result in additional tax revenues of around a per year.- around a per year. this agreement _ around a per year. this agreement at - around a per year. this agreement at the - around a per year. this agreement at the levelj around a per year. this i agreement at the level of around a per year. this - agreement at the level of the oecd is clearly a tax revolution. a tax revolution which will lead to less unfairness, to morejustice, to more efficiency. to unfairness, to more 'ustice, to more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens — more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens and _ more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens and rake - more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens and rake in - more efficiency. to eliminate tax havens and rake in more | tax havens and rake in more from multinationals, hundred

with more, here's our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani. ..1:30pm in the northern city of conduce as worshipers were gathering for friday prayers, and the most was very busy, we understand there were about 300 people inside the mosque at the time the suicide bomber blew himself up, causing utter devastation. as you say, it's believed that more than 50 people were killed. now in the last hour or so, the local branch of the islamic state group, is—k, have claimed responsibility for the bombing. they've repeatedly launched attacks in the past, as was this one targeting afghanistan's shia minority. now is are also fierce rivals of the taliban in recent weeks, although is is still much less powerful than the taliban, they've launched a campaign of bombing attacks targeting taliban fighters. that's largely in the east of the country at times, as well, in and around kabul. this attack in the north of afghanistan, apparently committed by a member of the uighur ethnic group, represents a worrying escalation and suggest their influence is expanding. the

secunder kermani, bbc news, jalalabad.ncerns about her health. earlier this month the queen, who is 95, underwent medical checks in hospital. our royal correspondentjohnny diamond says it is significant that she still plans to attend next month's remembrance sunday events. she is only carrying out light duties to recover what seems like a bout of fatigue. she has 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 had feared, —— would see it, but she has clearly been a bit too tired to travel, either to northern ireland or to glasgow, they were both cancelled. and they were both cancelled. and the doctors have said no more trouble for a couple of weeks, she will miss the festival of remembrance that happens on the evening before remembering sunday, but she will get to remembrance sunday. the reason i hang on about this is because it is absolutely the most important day in the queen's calendar. it is the

our correspondent secunder kermani is in islamabad for us. tell us more about what happened. north—eastern city of kunduz, as worshippers were gathering for friday prayers. the mosque was very busy. we understand there were around 300 people inside there were around 300 people inside the mosque at the time the suicide bomber blew himself up, causing utter devastation. as you say, it is believed that more than 50 people were killed. in the last hour or so, the local branch of the islamic state group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. they have repeatedly launched attacks in the past, as was this one, targeting afghanistan's she a minority. and they are also fierce rivals of the taliban and in recent weeks, although is—k is much less powerful than the taliban, they have launched a campaign of bombing attacks targeting taliban fighters. that is largely in the east of the country, at times as well in and around kabul but this attack in the north of afghanistan, apparently committed by a member of the uighur ethnic group, represents an escalation, which suggest their infl

secunder kermani, bbc news.ntry in the world after the us to record 100,000 deaths from covid—19. protesters against other government has dealt with the pandemic staged this demonstration in rio's copacabana beach with 600 white handkerchiefs remember the dead. deaths from coronavirus have been falling in brazil recently. more than 70% of people there have now received at least one vaccine dose. the most significant overhaul of the international tax system in a generation after negotiations in paris headed by the oecd, an agreement was announced to create a minimum rate of corporation tax. president biden says it will even the playing field around the world. here is how it will work. the minimum rate will be set at 15% — lower than the global average but higher than, for example, ireland's12.5% rate. 136 countries have signed up, only kenya and nigeria, pakistan and sri lanka have refused. the organisation for economic co—operation and development, which brokered the deal, says countries will collect around $150

secunder kermani, bbc news. states and the taliban will hold the first in person talk since the us withdrawn from afghanistan. the us delegation will meet on saturday and sunday in the qatari capital doha, senior taliban representatives. us has remained in contact with the taliban since the long—time foes seized kabul in august as us troops pulled out, and the meeting will be the first but face to face. several top us officials, including the secretary of state antony blinken and attorney general met garland were in mexico today meeting president undera is melbourne lopez 0brador discussing the creation of a new security deal between the two countries that would address things like the influence of drug cartels of the smuggling of us — made guns into mexico and the flow of migrants to the us border. the talks come at a time in the biden administration is incredibly reliant on mexico to house many of the migrants who have come to the border. it may give the mexican government some leverage in these negotiations.

from islamabad, secunder kermani looks back on his life.er imran khan described as a national icon. a state funeral at the largest mosque in islamabad is being held today. translation: b, mosque in islamabad is being held today. translation:— mosque in islamabad is being held today. translation: a great man at lo alto today. translation: a great man at loyal to pakistan _ today. translation: a great man at loyal to pakistan has _ today. translation: a great man at loyalto pakistan has died, _ today. translation: a great man at loyal to pakistan has died, the - loyal to pakistan has died, the prime minister instructed that he will be buried with all official respect and honour. but will be buried with all official respect and honour.- will be buried with all official respect and honour. but in 2004, abdul qadeer _ respect and honour. but in 2004, abdul qadeer khan _ respect and honour. but in 2004, abdul qadeer khan was _ respect and honour. but in 2004, abdul qadeer khan was placed i respect and honour. but in 2004, i abdul qadeer khan was

the bbc�*s secunder kermani is in kabul with more on that un report and what can be done.a country where many struggle to survive but this is the largest number of people going hungry overwinter since the un began keeping records a decade ago. and what we've seen as well according to this un report is hunger spreading from notjust more rural, remote areas, but also to urban areas, and that's because, yogita said in that report, so many government employees have not been paid their salaries. they were not paid in fact their salaries for the last few months of the previous government and many still have not received a salary. now they don't know when they are going to paid and people who were previously in professional or middle—class jobs are now putting themselves in desperately difficult situations. in terms of what can be done, well, the un is appealing for more funding. the world food programme has said that it may need around $220 million every month for the first few months of next yearjust to be able to get enough food to that 22 or 23 million people in afghanistan w

i'm joined now by our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani in islamabad. mosque. as you say, at least 50 people have been killed in this blast, but some local officials and local medical sources are telling us the number could rise even further. as of yet, there's been no claim of responsibility by any group but i think everybody�*s suspicions are that this is the work of the local franchise of the islamic state group known as isk that's because isk in the past have targeted the shia minority. they've also launched a bombing campaign in the east of the country targeting taliban fighters. is and the taliban are fierce rivals. the taliban say they have arrested and killed dozens of members of is and that is are nowhere near as powerful as the taliban, they don't control any territory, for example. but if this attack today in the north of country is confirmed as being the work of is, it means that their influence is extending, expanding, and that'll be very worrying to many parts. thank ou ve very worrying to many parts. thank you very much _ very worrying to