targets as it ramps up coal production to deal with an energy shortage. in other news, five people have been killed by a man with a bow—and—arrow in norway. we'll be live there for more on that developing story. and also in the programme: back to bali, one of the region's biggest holiday islands re—opens to foreign tourists after 18 months. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's 7am in the morning in singapore and 7pm in washington, where president biden has been addressing global supply chain problems. suppliers around the world are struggling to cope with a rise in consumer demand, as countries emerge from pandemic lockdowns. france's finance minister on wednesday told a meeting of the international monetary fund in washington that there were "shortages everywhere". and the big worry for consumers across the globe — the shortages are causing steep price rises in everything from food to energy to consumer goods. from washington, here's our economics editor faisal islam. one of the world's biggest parking lots. dozens of cargo ships just waiting in the pacific, full of goods from asia, unable to dock at full terminals in the ports of california, with containers piled high. the same now happening on the atlantic coast off georgia too and in other ports around the world, the plumbing of the world economy not functioning properly. at the white house today, president biden summoned us business bosses to work 24/7 to clear the backlogs. this is an across—the—board commitment to going to 21w. this is a big first step in speeding up the movement of materials and goods through our supply chain. the actions of the president show that this is a supply—chain crisis that affects many countries across the world. it arises out of the fact that after the pandemic, demand rebounded much faster than expected and much faster than the ability of the world economy to supply the goods required. that's led to shortages, it's led to price rises, and that's not going to be solved before christmas. in fields and airfields around the usa, there are tens of thousands of nearly finished cars and trucks, but they can't be sold because they lack the crucial microchips, the orders for which were cancelled at the start of the pandemic. the companies were too pessimistic about the rebound in demand. that's led to a change in view from the bank chief who, earlier this year, predicted an unprecedented british boom. we did predict a booming recovery in the economy. i think what we missed was it would be so strong that it would create these supply—chain problems, whether it's gasoline, whether it's chips, whatever it is. because of pandemic restrictions, finance ministers attending international meetings are spilling out onto the streets and parks of washington, dc. one solution to all of this — producing more locally. to reduce the dependence of france and all european countries to key technologies, to chips, to semiconductors, to all the products on which there are bottlenecks and shortages today. and that could lead to higher prices permanently, alongside other factors, from us—china tensions, post—brexit visa restrictions orfears over uk—eu trade. it's a global economic challenge and it's not going away. faisal islam, bbc news, in washington, dc. the bbc�*s michelle fleury has been examining the potential scale of the shortages we could see in the coming months. every year around this time, there is always a shortage of a couple of items, but this year is likely to be worse and prices are likely to be higher. this is an attempt to try and reduce some of that kind of shortfall and some of the issues we are seeing with the plumbing of global trade, but the problem is it takes time. so even if they move to working around the clock, there is a shortage of workers. there's also, then, a shortage of drivers to take the stuff once they make it to land to the retailers. it takes time to train new drivers and give them new licenses. the government is working with industry to try and speed up that process, but ultimately it really is going to take months, not weeks, to try and iron out these issues. we've been talking a lot about concerns for inflation, but this could start to affect the country, the us, but also the global economic recovery soon. yeah, finance ministers are gathered in washington for the annual meetings of the world bank and the imf, who issued just yesterday a report downgrading their forecast for the global economy. it was a moderate downgrade, but one of the things they cited was this supply chain disruption. and i think the lesson everyone is learning now is that global trade has been powered in the last few years byjust—in—time manufacturing. we're starting to see the weaknesses of this idea of "you only order what you need when you need it." because when you have a pandemic and disruptions in the supply chain, suddenly getting things back up again isn't quite so simple, and so each country is looking at how to deal with this. the fear, of course, is that it could lead to protectionism. the european union has tried to break the deadlock in the long—running brexit dispute over northern ireland. the eu is proposing that in future most food products imported from england, scotland and wales into northern ireland will not need to be checked. our ireland correspondent emma vardy has the latest on the search for compromise. could this be the light at the end of the tunnel for businesses? bringing goods into northern ireland from great britain has become much more difficult under the brexit arrangements. if we went back to 2020, for a consignment of goods, that's the paperwork that we had to produce. under the protocol in 2021, this is the paperwork for four or five pallets. and there could be multiple loads of this on one lorry? the uk government argues the difficulties have become so serious that it doesn'tjust want changes to the protocol, but a whole new treaty. we're seeing fewer, if anybody, wanting to begin moving goods between great britain and northern ireland. gb companies that are supplying smaller quantities to northern ireland are simply saying, "why should i bother?" what a year! m&s says it won't be sending some christmas products over the irish sea because of the red tape, and there's due to be a ban on the british banger being brought into northern ireland, as chilled meats can't be imported under the current rules. but the eu's now offering to ease these problems with a unique agreement to reduce checks on food and drink problems moving over the irish sea, an arrangement to allow the sale of chilled meats to continue, and the eu said it will change its laws to solve problems which pose a threat to the supply of medicines to northern ireland. with this robust package of practical, imaginative solutions, we can continue to implement the protocol on ireland, northern ireland, for the benefit of all communities on the ground. but this is an ideological battle, too. loyalist communities view any border in the irish sea as severing northern ireland's link with the uk, integral to unionist identity here. if we do not kill this protocol, it will kill the union. for the most staunch unionists, the eu's proposals don't go far enough. they still have fall far short of what is needed to make the fundamental change that is required. but we recognise there's a negotiating process that will happen now. it's threatening the fragile power—sharing government here. sinn fein says the uk should implement the deal it already agreed. it's our view that the protocol guarantees protections for the good friday agreement, the all—island economy and it ensures that there is no border imposed on the island of ireland. because of the tensions, the uk's brexit minister says without a significant shift from the eu, the stability of northern ireland is at stake. it's clear that the protocol, as it's being implemented in northern ireland, is not being implemented with this necessary sensitivity. we have to come back to these arrangements again if they don't enjoy consent across northern ireland. the uk government's also called for an end to the role of the european court ofjustice in the arrangements, but political leaders in the republic of ireland say the demands are an act of bad faith. this is a country that makes treaties, that strikes agreements and then intends to renege on them. and that message must now resonate around the world — "don't make any agreement with the british government, don't sign a treaty with the united kingdom until you can be confident that this is a country that can honour its promises." without a resolution, the uk could trigger a clause to override part of the brexit deal, sparking a potential trade war with northern ireland caught in the middle. emma vardy, bbc news. some breaking news to bring you. at least five people have been killed and two others wounded in attacks in norway by a man armed with a bow and arrow. police say the suspect, who appears to have acted alone, is now in custody. journalistjohnjo devlin joins us now from 0slo. thank you so much forjoining us. firstly, tell us what we know now. us. firstly, tell us what we know nova— us. firstly, tell us what we know now. ., . ., know now. police were alerted to reports _ know now. police were alerted to reports of— know now. police were alerted to reports of a _ know now. police were alerted to reports of a man _ know now. police were alerted to reports of a man attacking l to reports of a man attacking with a bow and arrow and around 615 p.m. local time, with a bow and arrow and around 615 p.m. localtime, a with a bow and arrow and around 615 p.m. local time, a quarter past six. about half an hour later, that man was apprehended. in his wake, he left several dead and a couple wounded. 0ne left several dead and a couple wounded. one of those wounded was intact and off—duty police officer who had been inside the supermarket were the attack had started. the police chief of the southeastern area, the region close to 0slo where the attack took place, said it was unknown at the moment whether or not it was a terror attack. they have not yet interrogated the suspect, although they do know his identity. they are not giving any information about him, whether or not he is a norwegian citizen, whether or not yet any particular motivation, although they have said he is a male, that is the only information they're giving at this point. reports from the local area say, though, that there was a huge mental confusion at time and police in the statement said they were confused at the arrival at the scene, which is why it took 30 minutes for the apprehension to take place and by warning shots were fired. i5 take place and by warning shots were fired-— were fired. is it fair to say that this _ were fired. is it fair to say that this kind _ were fired. is it fair to say that this kind of _ were fired. is it fair to say that this kind of attack - were fired. is it fair to say that this kind of attack is| that this kind of attack is extremely rare, with police officers often not even carrying guns? it officers often not even carrying guns?- officers often not even car in: runs? , , carrying guns? it is extremely rare, it carrying guns? it is extremely rare. it is _ carrying guns? it is extremely rare, it is extremely - carrying guns? it is extremely rare, it is extremely rare - carrying guns? it is extremely rare, it is extremely rare here in norway. 0f rare, it is extremely rare here in norway. of course, the most memorable attack of any kind, where several people were killed in norway, is that perpetrated by anders brevik ten years ago. this is not confirmed to be a terror attack, and these attacks are rare, and for that reason, police do not carry guns in norway. however, that has changed. norway is now in a state of alert. the authorities are being asked to carry firearms now. this has gone although if the chain of command to the norwegian security services, write to the top, and it comes on the eve of a new government here in oslo after the elections last month of a new prime minister. john'o devlin, thankd of a new prime minister. john'o devlin, thank you i of a new prime minister. john'o devlin, thank you so i of a new prime minister. john'o devlin, thank you so much i of a new prime minister. johnjo devlin, thank you so much for i joining us on newsday. the actor william shatner has made history as the oldest person to go into space. the 90—year—old went on a 10—minute flight on board the blue 0rigin rocket, built by a company owned by the amazon billionaire jeff bezos. the man familiar to millions as captain kirk returned safely to earth, describing his trip as a most profound experience. from texas, our correspondent sophie long reports. as the sun rose over one of the most desolate parts of the wild west, william shatner made his way to the new shepard suborbital spacecraft. william shatner. he wasn't leading the crew his alter ego commanded, but with three other passengers who would share what the few who've gone before say is a life—changing experience. two, one... more than 50 years after he first donned a spacesuit as captain kirk, william shatner is now on his way to the final frontier. and there they are, over 328,000 feet... minutes later, as the new shepard crossed the internationally recognised boundary of space, he became the oldest person in the world to float there, weightless. and the actor who, for decades, played an iconic space explorer became one. and capsule touchdown. welcome down, the newest astronauts! he emerged from the capsule visibly moved by the adventure he said he hopes he never recovers from. firmly back on planet earth, he told me the beauty of what he'd seen was more profound than any words he could find or world record he'd broken. i wish i had broken the world record in the 10—yard dash or the 100—yard dash, but unfortunately it was how old i am! would you do it again, though? i am so filled with such an emotion and such a feeling of a novel experience, i don't want to dissipate by thinking of another journey. there may be debate about whether he can be called an astronaut, but he has gone where no nonagenarian has gone before. sophie long, bbc news, blue 0rigin launch pad 0ne. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: china ramps up coal production to deal with energy shortages — what does that mean for its emissions targets? parts of san francisco least affected by the earthquake are returning to life, but in the marina area, where most of the damage was done, they're more conscious than ever of how much has been destroyed. in the 19 years since he was last here, he's gone from being a little—known revolutionary to an experienced and successful diplomatic operator. it was a 20—pound bomb which exploded on the fifth floor of the grand hotel, ripping a hole in the front of the building. this government will not weaken! | democracy will prevail! it fills me with humility and gratitude to know that i have been chosen as a recipient of this foremost honour. this catholic nation held its breath for the men they call "the 33". and then... ..bells tolled nationwide to announce the first rescue, and chile let out an almighty roar. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko 0i in singapore. 0ur headlines: president biden and finance ministers from around the world try to tackle global supply chain shortages and the inflation it causes. star trek�*s william shatner makes history as the oldest person to go into space. the 90—year—old experienced three minutes of zero gravity in the ten—minute flight. tourism has suffered in the past 18 months due to the pandemic, and now tentative steps are under way in asia in places that rely heavily on tourism to let people back in. the indonesian holiday island of bali is set to open up to international travellers today, thursday. fully vaccinated visitors from selected countries with low infection rates, such as china, new zealand and japan, will be able to holiday there after quarantining for five days at their own expense. let's speak with liz 0rtiguera. she is ceo of the pacific asia travel association, a membership association promoting responsible travel and tourism in the asia pacific region. thank you so much forjoining us. it is a very exciting day for those who work in the tourism sector in bali, but what were the measures taken to make sure that it is safe to open up before this decision was made?— was made? first of all, destinations _ was made? first of all, destinations across - was made? first of all, destinations across the j was made? first of all, - destinations across the asia pacific have been keeping a really high focus on vaccine deployment. that's foundational to creating a state divinity and a safe destination for travellers, and they have been focusing on developing health and safety protocols, and so that measure has been very much deployed in bali. i understand that 90% of the 4.4 million residents, locals, have been sick of vaccinated and over 80% have been double vaccinated. —— single vaccinated. have been double vaccinated. -- single vaccinated.— single vaccinated. would you say there _ single vaccinated. would you say there was _ single vaccinated. would you say there was a _ single vaccinated. would you say there was a bit _ single vaccinated. would you say there was a bit of - single vaccinated. would you i say there was a bit of pressure on the governments to open up from, say, hotel chains? i would say in general there has been a pressure. in the asia—pacific, 55% of the jobs are in travel and tourism globally, and these develop nations in particular have had a high importance on these roles that have been impacted by travel, and so they are making the difficult decision between weighing health and safety versus livelihoods. majority of the jobs impacted have been front liners, lower income and more prominently women. �* , ., income and more prominently women. ~ , ., a, women. aside from bali, there have been _ women. aside from bali, there have been other _ women. aside from bali, there have been other places - women. aside from bali, there have been other places which l have been other places which opened up to foreign tourists or did not shut for the majority of the pandemic, and succeeded, so talk us through some of those examples. this some of those examples. as pata, we — some of those examples. is pata, we have been supporting collaboration across multiple destinations, and so the locations that have been at the forefront, we have had destinations set examples such as the maldives. they stayed open during 90% of the pandemic. hawaii, guam, a number of destinations, the pacific islands are very much full he vaccinated and they are ready for travel, and so we have seen these great examples of ring fencing locations, so that they can safeguard the community and prepare for travel. ., ., travel. liz 0rtiguera from the pata, thank _ travel. liz 0rtiguera from the pata, thank you _ travel. liz 0rtiguera from the pata, thank you so - travel. liz 0rtiguera from the pata, thank you so much - travel. liz 0rtiguera from the pata, thank you so much for| pata, thank you so much for joining us on newsday. thank ou, joining us on newsday. thank you. mariko- _ china has sought to massively step up imports of coal in the face of soaring international fossil fuel demand, with domestic coal prices reaching record levels. analysis from reuters news agency found that chinese coal imports were up 73% last month, compared to the same time last year. beijing has also sought to ramp up domestic production, last week ordering coal mines in the inner mongolia region to boost production capacity by 100 million tonnes. earlier, i spoke to jane nakano, senior scholar at the energy security and climate change program at the center for strategic and international studies, about whether china committment to climate reduction was weakening. china has been trying to really shift its economy away from coal, but coal still accounts for roughly two—thirds of china's energy supply, as well as electricity supply, so it is not been a really easyjourney. and all these developments that you just described, they are all very worrying signs, as we have cop26 less than a month from now. i am quite concerned how china will try to really ultimately deliver its 2030 carbon emissions goal, as well as eventually, in 2060, china hopes to achieve carbon neutrality economy—wide. but interestingly, china has also eased its restrictions on australian coal despite its trade dispute. is this a sign that the situation is so bad that they are almost willing to lose face diplomatically? correct, yes, i think it's a sign that they are really in a very difficult place. china reportedly imposed this unofficial import ban on australian coal over diplomatic and, if you will, sort of geopolitical tension for almost a year. so now that the chinese are starting to unload australian coal cargoes tells me they can use any supply of coal that they can get a hold of, to be able to keep factories running and also heating the households as much as they can. but it's notjust china, is it, needing more coal? it's also india. and, as you said, it is rather ironic to see coal making a comebackjust ahead of cop26, so what needs to be done for countries to actually quit this dirty fossil fuel? yeah, i think the switch away from coal to gas still is something important to be done. 0bviously, china is now one of the largest global importers of natural gas as well, having quite a bit of influence on natural gas supply in europe as well. but as far as the coal goes, i think, in china's case, there's also the pricing reform the chinese government has been undertaking for quite a while and there has been quite a bit of distortion. the price hasn't been really working properly. but in many ways, i don't think this is a sign that coal is permanently back. i hope that this is just a little bump on the road. i think the investment into renewables will continue. certainly, china's one of the largest investors globally in renewables. before we go, let me leave you with a glimpse of hogwarts in london. to mark the 20th anniversary of the first harry potter film, young fans have been learning how to wave those wands to wizardly effect — with cloaks, of course. the devotees of harry, ron and hermione were duelling in front of 15—foot—tall wands in london's leicester square, where the premiere of harry potter and the philosopher's stone was held in 2001. a spellbinding event, indeed. that's it for the show. thanks for watching. hello. plenty of cloud across the uk yesterday and plenty of it still around today as well. glimmers of sunshine or sunny spells at best, i think, sums up our forecast for the majority. for scotland, though, the winds are already picking up. here, we will see cloud bearing more meaningful rain through the day as this cold weather front sinks its way in. high pressure holds things steady for england and wales — just light winds here, that cloud around, as i said. similar story for northern ireland. perhaps a few showers down towards the channel coast. but for scotland, rain will make its way as far south, i think, as the central belt by the time we get to the evening rush hour. some of the rain could be heavy. should be brighter for the northern isles through the afternoon, but it will stay windy. and then the rain progressively works its way into northern ireland and northern england through the evening. and then towards the end of the night, we'll see that rain pushing into the midlands, north wales and parts of east anglia. for the south of the band of rain, temperatures in double figures. behind it, here's a clue of what's to come — temperatures in single figures, much colder air moving in, some pockets of frost to the north first thing friday. and that colder air flushes all the way south through the day on friday, with perhaps just the exception of the far southwest of england. so friday, much more in the way of sunshine, the day looking a whole lot brighter, but i think you will notice the chillier feel. the southwest of england likely to be warmest. in some areas, temperatures will come down through the day. as the cloud breaks, the weather front pulls away, but the colder air ushers in. top temperatures, well, widely around 13 or 14, perhaps just 8 there in aberdeen. clear skies overnight friday into saturday. we'll see a patchy frost to start saturday, but then i think a decent day for many. particularly in the east, there should be some spells of sunshine. towards the west, cloud trying to encroach, and i think we will see that bearing some rain come the afternoon. temperatures, though, lifting up a little once again as we start to pick up a south—westerly wind, so sitting in the mid—teens. for the mildest and the driest of the two days of the weekend, though, sunday looks to be the better option. we should, i think, see a lot of dry weather on sunday. it will be milder from the get—go. and when the sun comes out, with the south—westerly wind, i think temperatures a little above average for the time of year — highs of 17 or 18. this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, as newsday continues straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. making people laugh is a precious gift. we treasure the comics, the comedians, the professionally funny men and women who add and inject laughter into cultures all over the world, but who defines what is funny? how does funny change over time? and what impact has the internet had on the business of jokes?