sophie long, thank you. _ controlled her life. thank you, outside a _ controlled her life. sophie long, thank you, outside a very - controlled her life. sophie long, thank you, outside a very noisy. thank you, outside a very noisy courthouse. 20 years ago today, taliban fighters were fleeing the afghan capital kabul as us—led coalition forces arrived at the city's gates. our world affairs editor john simpson was there as the taliban were forced from power, two months after the september 11th attacks. now, two decades on, western forces are gone — and the taliban are back in control. but those years of foreign intervention and war have dramatically changed the country. john simpson has returned to afghanistan, and his report begins with that historic moment, when kabul fell. kabul lay temptingly close below us now. the small bbc team decided to head on into the city on our own. well, this is it. we're walking into kabul city. we don't seem to have any problems around us... this was the route that we took on that extraordinary day,

sophie long. — year. and these evil people. . .! sophie long, bbc— year. we'll tell you why the chinese version of the popular game fortnite is to shut down later this month. the israeli prime minister, yitzhak rabin, the architect of the middle east peace process, has been assassinated. a 27—year—old jewish man has been arrested and an extremistjewish organisation has claimed responsibility for the killing. at polling booths throughout the country, they voted on a historic day for australia. as the results came in, it was clear — the monarchy would survive. of the american hostages, there was no sign — - they are being held somewhere inside the compound — - and student leaders have threatened that, should i the americans attempt. rescue, they will all die. this mission has surpassed all expectations. voyager one is now the most distant man—made object anywhere in the universe, and itjust seems to keep on going. tonight, we prove once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the end

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles.ll be back with the headlines in a short while but don't forget, you can find me on twitter. find all our stories on our website, bbc.com/news. ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. man: bdo. accountants and advisors. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... woman: architect. bee keeper. mentor. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. woman: the rules of business are being reinvented th a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo.

our los angeles correspondent sophie long reports.�* till the world ends plays. this was the moment they'd been dreaming of, everything they'd been fighting for. it doesn't feel real. it feels like i'm kind of in an out—of—body experience but it's just so incredible that we were able to actually help make this happen. after more than 13 years, the pop star was finally granted herfreedom in a hearing that lasted just 30 minutes. so proud of britney today and for the #freebritney movement, which is going to continue. the singer was not in court but her lawyer repeated her words — "i just want my life back". thejudge gave it to her, and the man who helped her get it was cheered as he paid tribute to his client's strength and courage, and thanked herfans for their fight to free her. you guys are absolutely the best. you're essential. cheering woman: , britney loves you. cheering and applause. you were essential in terms of the suspension of - james p spears... cheering and applause. and you were also essential- in regards to what happened

our us correspondent sophie long reports.ars' fans cried tears ofjoy, as her estranged father was suspended from his role running her $60 million estate. �* . , role running her $60 million estate. �* ., , ., role running her $60 million. estate— he estate. free brittany now! he has since — estate. free brittany now! he has since asked _ estate. free brittany now! he has since asked the _ estate. free brittany now! he has since asked the court - estate. free brittany now! he has since asked the court for| has since asked the court for an immediate and unconditional and the arrangement, which gave him control over her life, saying he will hand over all related documents because he has nothing to hide. there are many who disagree with that, and are calling for a full investigation and an end to the system they say is corrupt. i think nothing short of a full congressional hearing, where we break it down step—by—step, and interrogate the attorneys that were present, i think that will give us a great deal of insight as to what is

sophie long, bbc news. christopher melcher is a family law expert based in los angeles.as so long in the making. and unnecessary, because the conservatorship should never have been placed upon her in the first place. even if she was having mental health issues in 2008, this was not the type of conservatorship that is designed to manage that. this probate conservatorship that she was placed on — it's for people at end of life, who have dementia and who can't even care for themselves by putting a roof over their head. so the court should never have imposed this and then for it go on so long and take away all of her rights when she clearly was able to work was an abuse of her. such an interesting viewpoint. and the judge, he said today, didn't he, that an accountant serving as a temporary conservator should retain some powers, even after today's ruling, so what are these powers and what are the details that we should know about? that's just cleaning up some financial details to move the control of her money that's been handled by herfather for 13 years and then only recentl

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles. you're watching bbc news.those blustery conditions of yesterday, things looking much quieter today and this weekend. it is going to be pretty mild for this stage in november, but still a lot of cloud around at times, the best of those breaks through this afternoon across the central swathe, as i'll show you. it's because we are between two weather systems. this area of low pressure which brought the windy weather yesterday, this is one which will bring weather fronts to the north and west, particularly through tomorrow. advancing cloud into northern ireland through today, so this afternoon turning greyer, and patchy rain or drizzle from the west, particularly late afternoon into the evening. still got cloud from yesterday's low pressure system, eastern counties of england, so staying rather grey here for many, with some occasional rain or drizzle, but in between, and that means the vast majority of the country, we'll see some of the cloud break up, some sunny spells through the afternoon. temperatures between

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles.r emiliano sala, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. 67—year—old david henderson was found guilty of recklessly endangering the aircraft, which came down over the english channel in 2019. let's go live to cardiff where our correspondent, hywel griffith who has the latest. er where the health service is at its busiest. thank you catherine. ben, yes, it is almost two years now suns that flight which i was due to bring emiliano sala from france to wales to play in the premier league disappeared over the channel. two weeks later it was found on the sea bed alongside with his body, that of the pilot was neverfound. it should never have taken place because the pilot wasn't qualified to fly at night, or have a commercial license, now the operator david henderson knew all that, but carried on regardless. the 67—year—old, the court was told, worked, despite knowing the regulations meant the pilot shouldn't have been flying. now he was found guilty at a trial last month. thejudge now he w

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles.oung people were absolutely right that this was an unjust restriction on britney spears' freedom and her ability to manage her money. i have observed what people were saying in terms of her dancing and performance and britney spears in my opinion neverfit the criteria for being subjected to a conservatorship and having someone else, who by the way she never wanted herfather to have the role as conservator, so for her this was very abusive and oppressive and i sense that the young people were rights right away. especially when i read the legal documents, britney spears was deprived of liberty and property without due process, without a fair hearing. the bbc weather presenter 0wain wyn evans has completed his 2a hour drumathon — drumming for 2h hours to raise money for children in need 2021. he completed the challenge along with other drummers early this morning, raising a huge sum of money for good causes. 0ur presenterjayne mccubbin caught up with him when he had just one hour left of

sophie long reports.it does not feel real. it feels like i'm kind of in an out—of—body experience but it's just so incredible that we were able to actually help make this happen. after more than 13 years, the pop star was finally granted herfreedom in a hearing that lasted just 30 minutes. so proud of britney today and for the #freebritney movement, which is going to continue. the singer was not in court but her lawyer repeated her words — "i just want my life back". thejudge gave it to her, and the man who helped her get it was cheered as he paid tribute to his client's strength and courage, and thanked herfans for their fight to free her. you guys are absolutely the best. you're essential. woman: yes! britney loves you. cheering and applause. you were essential in terms of the suspension ofjames p spears... cheering and applause. and you were also essential in regards to what happened today. cheering and applause. both sing: #i want to scream and shout. # free britney now. britney has been released from

sophie long, bbc news, douglas county, colorado.tenham has appointed the former chelsea boss antonio conte as their new head coach. it comes just one day after they fired nuno espirito santo as managr. the bbc�*s football reporter simon stonejoins me now. they didn't hand about? no indeed, and i think they didn't hand about? no indeed, and | thinkthe — they didn't hand about? no indeed, and i think the origins _ they didn't hand about? no indeed, and i think the origins of _ they didn't hand about? no indeed, and i think the origins of this - they didn't hand about? no indeed, and i think the origins of this were l and i think the origins of this were put in place during the summer. == put in place during the summer. -- the put in place during the summer. —— they didn't hang about. put in place during the summer. -- they didn't hang about. in - put in place during the summer. -- they didn't hang about. in a - they didn't hang about. in a statement _ they didn't hang about. in a statement released - they didn't hang about. in a state

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles. occupation of france. it depicts a haystack in arles, france, where van gogh lived for more than a year in the 1880s. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. it's been a fairly grey and breezy picture out there for many of us. we have had some outbreaks of rain already today, a little bit more rain before the day is out. this is the picture in ambleside, in cumbria. yes, a lot of cloud around, quite breezy conditions there as well. through the rest of the afternoon, we are going to be seeing some drier interludes in the weather, but still a few spots of rain at times and it is feeling mild and breezy for the rest of the day. an improving picture later on. we have this low pressure with us and as it clears away towards the east, we will start to the rain becoming we will start to seethe rain becoming quite light and patchy but still some lingering for parts of south—west scotland, northern england and down to the midlands as well. gusts of wind, though, 4

sophie long has more from the state of colorado.u could even say dull, affairs. but they are becoming more colourful. the county is lying to you, and you know it, and you are either complicit or you don't know it. the campaign trail may look civilised in sleepy suburbia, but things are getting scary. cowards always hide their face. it's a school board election in one county in the entire united states, but to us, it's everything about our children's education, and each side is trying to say, we know what's right, and the other side, it's not just wrong, it's evil. everything about them is, is, is just going to destroy our children. angry shouting. these small pieces of cloth have caused quite a commotion. they have led to school board members being attacked and intimidated, trolled on social media, even stalked in public. although people are engaged in these elections, the pandemic has really brought home the wide national political divide. teacher stacey adair is currently on unpaid leave for refusing to wear a mask in the classroo

our correspondent, sophie long has more, from the state of colorado.it or you don't know it. the campaign trail may look civilised in sleepy suburbia, but things are getting scary. cowards always hide their face. it's a school board election in one county in the entire united states, but to us, it's everything about our children's education, and each side is trying to say, we know what's right, and the other side, it's not just wrong, it's evil. everything about them is...is... isjust going to destroy our children. angry shouting. these small pieces of cloth have caused quite a commotion. they have led to school board members being attacked and intimidated, trolled on social media, even stalked in public. although people are engaged in these elections, the pandemic has really brought home the wide national political divide. teacher stacey adair is currently on unpaid leave for refusing to wear a mask in the classroom. people were just so intense about it. it was an insane year. i was willing to get written up for not enforcing the mask. if they want to

sophie long's report contains flashing images. cheering.g he'll hand over all related documents because he has nothing to hide. there are many who disagree with that, and are calling for a full investigation and an end to the system they say is corrupt. i think nothing short of a full congressional hearing, where we break it down step—by—step and interrogate the attorneys that were present, i think that will give us a great deal of insight as to what is going wrong, what went wrong for britney but also what is going wrong for other people facing conservatorship as well. after 13 years of what the international superstar called a toxic, abusive arrangement, her voice has finally been heard. crucial, notjust for her but for many others trapped in the conservatorship system who could never even hope to be handed a microphone. i think it's critically important, because conservatorship as a rule takes away your voice. it happens that britney was able to retain some voice because of her celebrity, and she's raising it. but for all the others, the

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles.ve bannon, has been charged with contempt of congress. he refused to testify on what he knew about the plans for the protest that led to mr trump's supporters storming the us capitol building injanuary. his lawyers claimed that his communications involving the former president were protected. west midlands metro services have been suspended for a second time in five months, after cracks were found on some trams. engineers will now carry out inspections and repairs on the network, which runs between birmingham and wolverhampton. the work is expected to take at least four weeks to complete. let's look at this morning's papers. we will be checking with owain shortly because he has been banging out those drum since eight o'clock yesterday morning.— out those drum since eight o'clock yesterday morning. yes, you would over to see — yesterday morning. yes, you would over to see him _ yesterday morning. yes, you would over to see him last _ yesterday morning. yes, you would over to see him las

sophie long, bbc news, los angeles.rned up somewhere you shouldn't be? a bit like me this morning! i a bit like me this morning! i have that feeling _ a bit like me this morning! i have that feeling most _ a bit like me this morning! i have that feeling most mornings, - that feeling most mornings, honestly! well, that's what's happened to a rare penguin. this rare adelie penguin, was found in new zealand, 3,000 kilometres away from its natural habitat of antarctica. it was found by a local resident who thought he was a "soft toy". the animal has been rescued and will eventually be released in a safe area. ijust want i just want to give him ijust want to give him a little cuddle. . , ijust want to give him a little cuddle. ., , ., , ., , ijust want to give him a little cuddle. .,, ., , ., , ., cuddle. he has got his arms out read for cuddle. he has got his arms out ready for the — cuddle. he has got his arms out ready for the cuddle, _ cuddle. he has got his arms out ready for the cuddle, won, - cuddle. he has got his ar

we have seen the reports, you heard sophie's report talking about long waits outside emergency departmentse staff or beds to see them in a&e. the figures for a&e, the target time is 95% of patients should be seen in four hours. the figures for last month show that 74% were seen. the worst on record since 2004, when the target was introduced. more than 7000 patients were waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted, so called trolley waiting, because there is pressure within hospitals themselves. they are talking about not enough beds because, quite often, there are patients that are well enough to go home, but there aren't the social care packages for them to be taken out into the community. again, this is all having an impact on the elective care. you mentioned 5.8 million people waiting for nonurgent operations, things like hip and knee replacements, cataract operations. that figure of waiting over a year, 300,000 waiting over a year, it has been coming down. the nhs is working really hard you try to bring down the really long waiting times. before the pandemic, the figure was 1600. so, the

sophie richardson is the china director at human rights watch. she says peng's case may deter athletes from attending the winter olympics in beijing in february. we argued for a longd not... that the chinese government should not be awarded the games. after 2008, made that argument even more strongly because the government failed to fulfil any of the human rights related promises it made to get the games. we can see that the situation inside the country has deteriorated significantly. one really wonders if players now even feel safe to go and compete there. we have argued for a diplomatic boycott. i think this development may actually lead to athletes themselves not wanting to go to compete. this is the second most powerful government in the world that sees fit to notjust take an olympic athlete of the grid but is currently but is currently committing crimes against humanity, targeting millions of uighur muslims. it has disappeared everyone from artists to senior tibetan monks. this continues to happen partly because there is never any work —— real consequence for the government officials responsible for it. we are arguing for it especially in the case of crimes a

long waits for ambulances. whistleblowers have told bbc news that some ambulance services are at breaking point. here's our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson. across the length and the breadth of the uk, ambulances are queuing. unable to hand over the sick and injured patients they have on board because hospitals have no room. and ambulances stuck in queues aren't available to attend other emergencies, leaving patients in need, waiting at home. i called an ambulance at 11:50am. and they said that they were going to send help asap. just over two weeks ago, christina found her grandmother, who lives in cheltenham spa, slumped in a chair, having a stroke. it was a blue light emergency. the ambulance should have arrived in 18 minutes. but instead, it took nearly six hours. it then queued outside hospital for an another three. it was then that an ambulance lady, i asked her how long it was going to take for my nan to get a ct, because ijust needed to know whether or not it was a stroke. and she told me, well, your nan�*s event happened last night. so we would only administer the medication that would reverse any permanent damage with

sophie's mp imploring her to raise the issue in parliament. psychologist have sold the bbc that people living in these conditions with no end in sight will need long health in some leaseholders. , , �* leaseholders. feelings they couldn't uo on, leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on. they — leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on, they couldn't _ leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on, they couldn't see _ leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on, they couldn't see a _ leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on, they couldn't see a way - leaseholders. feelings they couldn't go on, they couldn't see a way out i go on, they couldn't see a way out of this— go on, they couldn't see a way out of this crisis — go on, they couldn't see a way out of this crisis was leading to feelings— of this crisis was leading to feelings of suicide and self—harm. in feelings of suicide and self—harm. in those _ feelings of suicide and self—harm. in those situations, individuals have _ in those situations, individuals have to — in those situations, individuals have to state immediate help. it�*s have to state immediate help. it's like have to state immediat

long waits for ambulances. whistleblowers have told bbc news that some ambulance services are at breaking point. here's our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson. across the length and the breadth of the uk, ambulances are queuing. unable to hand over the sick and injured patients they have on board because hospitals have no room. and ambulances stuck in queues aren't available to attend other emergencies, leaving patients in need, waiting at home. i called an ambulance at 11:50am. and they said that they were going to send help asap. just over two weeks ago, christina found her grandmother,