in southern india claim dozens of lives with the army now leading rescue efforts. and taking to the skies to vaccinate all of australia we visit the remote areas where where an airborne logistical effort is getting jabs in arms. president biden has led tributes to coal in power, america's first black secretary of state who has died from complications from coronavirus. he was 8a. he was described as a diplomat who repeatedly broke racial barriers put up this time in the public eye was book ended by two wars in iraq. of the american dream. the first black secretary of state, the first black leader of the us military. yet he was born to jamaican immigrants in harlem and was lost as a teenager. today, flags were lowered to half staff and the tributes have been lavish. he broke so many barriers and those barriers were not easy to break by any stretch. but he did it with dignity, he did it with grace. until saddam hussain�*s invasion of kuwait in 1990, colin powell was relatively unknown. after it, he became a household name, as america's first black commander of the us military. he developed the powell doctrine — don't start a war unless you know how you are going to end it. in many ways, he was a reluctant warrior, having been injured during the vietnam war, but if force is to be used, then let it be overwhelming. our strategy to go after this army is very, very simple. first we're going to cut it off and then we're going to kill it. having reached the top of the military, he'd now blaze a new trial, becoming america's most senior diplomatjust before 9/11. it's a great honour for me to submit the name to the united states senate of colin l powell, as secretary of state. and at the un, he made a case for the invasion of iraq that he would later ruefully admit was based on incorrect information. there can be no doubt that saddam hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more, and he has the ability to dispense these lethal poisons and diseases in ways that can cause massive death and destruction. but for all that, this moderate republican was being courted by both parties to run to become the country's first african—american president. powell decided against, instead throwing his weight behind democrat barack obama's bid for that place in history. this morning a great soldier, a great statesman, a great american, has endorsed our campaign for change. i am so proud that i have had this chance to serve my nation. this venerated soldier in later life used his ammunition sparingly, only intervening when he felt something needed saying, like earlier this year after the attempted insurrection at the capitol, when he called for donald trump to stand down immediately. i wish he would just do what nixon did and that's step down. somebody ought to go up there and tell him it's over. the plane is waiting for you, you're out. colin powell preached tolerance and moderation. he was a leader, warrior and statesman. and, according to many of the tributes today, a genuine american hero. the former us secretary of state. a key adviser to several presidents who died at the age of 8a. let's ta ke let's take a look now at some of the other stories in the headlines today. the top us envoy to afghanistan is stepping down from his role less than two months after the united states chaotic withdrawal. he had led the us dialogue with the taliban but months of diplomacy failed to stop the militants from sweeping through the country and seizing power. his deputy will be taking over the post. donald trump is filed a lawsuit against a us house and select committee investigating the attack on congress onjanuary six in an effort to keep records from his presidency secret. the former president claims the material is covered by executive privilege. the iraqi authorities say they have arrested a suspect in one of the worst bombings claimed by the worst bombings claimed by the islamic state group. more than 300 people died in a car bombing in baghdad three years ago. the usjustice department has asked the supreme court to reinstate a block on a texas law banning nearly all abortions. the biden administration described the ban which outlaws the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy as clearly unconstitutional. russia's foreign minister says moscow is suspending its diplomatic mission to nato from next month. they also said staff at nato bus �*s office in moscow would be stripped of their accreditation. nato expeued their accreditation. nato expelled russian officers saying they were undeclared intelligence officers. in other headlines the british prime minister has led tributes in parliament to the conservative mp david amess. he was stabbed to death on friday and a 25—year—old suspect remains in custody where he has been questioned under the terrorism act. the government says it is considering whether additional measures are necessary to protect politicians. 0ur political editor reports. holding on... ..at a church that should be a place of sanctuary, instead — for their father and husband — a place of violence. this family shattered, left reading messages from others. "thank you for all you have done." a simple note among the blanket of flowers. a way to express sorrow and support at parliament too. then the ultimate mark of respect... ..to still the commons' usual clamour. 0n so many of their minds, perhaps, a phrase sir david himself wrote, "when mps are doing theirjobs, it could happen to any one of us." sir david was taken from us in a contemptible act of violence, striking at the core of what it is to be a member of this house and violating the sanctity both of the church in which he was killed and the constituency surgery that is so essential to our representative democracy. granting his dearest political wish. her majesty has agreed that southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves. hear, hear! but mps on all sides have fears about their and their staffs safety. this place can be the scene of tantrums and torment — not today. i want to lean across, to reach across, and to acknowledge the pain that's felt on the opposite benches, and i do. hear, hear! of course our differences matter. after all, that is what democracy is about. but today we are reminded that what we have in common matters far more. in a packed commons, the only empty spot, sir david's old seat. his close friend furious at how mps are treated, urging a crackdown on online abuse. we are now systematically vilified day after day, and i simply say to you, ladies and gentlemen, that enough is enough. i'd like to drag mark zuckerberg of facebook and jack dorsey of twitter to the bar of the house. the survivor of a similar attack urged them to stand firm. we must not give up on the accessibility of members of parliament. if we do, the sponsors for those who attacked david and who attacked me will have succeeded. isn't it fitting that his last acts were acts of service to his constituents? there are tears on all sidesl of the house this afternoon. but an argument about civility in politics doesn't explain why, like five years ago, a family is in pain. it brought it back very physically. i was sort of shaking and unable to process it, really. that moment when you are told that they haven't made it and the weeks and months of despair and anguish that follow, i guess. if you were a young couple now, when she first said, "i think i want to go into parliament," would you try to persuade her not to do it? she had a vision for a society she wanted to see, and she would have taken personal risk to see it. so, i wouldn't have either tried or succeeded in trying to convince her to do anything differently, but i do think that there will be people that will be put off. this place is normally fuelled by difference, by argument, but tonight, they walked together across the road together... ..sang and listened together. the noble calling of politicians in a democracy is to make all manner of sacrifices — seen and unseen. a moment to remember a man who believed in that, their common cause. laura kuenssberg, bbc news. meanwhile, rescue teams in the indian state are scrambling to find survivors after severe flooding killed at least 26 people. five of them were children. homes were swept away by the rising flood waters and there have been landslides following days of heavy rain. here is our south asia correspondent. the forces of nature have shown no mercy to these people in kerala. every year, they brace themselves for monsoon season, but nothing can prepare you for this. heavy rainfall and landslides have left a devastating and deadly mark across this state in south india. one of india's most beautiful now submerged and struggling. in the town here, terrified passengers on this bus were saved as the waters rose. in this clothes store, now a swamp, is one of many businesses destroyed by the fierce weather. "it was my livelihood," this shopkeeper says. "everything is gone." rescuers have been retrieving the bodies of the dozens who died, many of the victims were young. officials say they found three children who had been buried under the mud as they were holding each other. translation: the hill broke off near us, there's been _ a lot of damage and loss, the house has gone children have gone. for many in kerala, the scenes evoke painful memories of 2018 when the state experienced the worst floods in a century. 400 people died back then, and more than a million were displaced. a study by indian scientists said the number of cyclones out over the arabian sea has doubled in the last two decades due to rising sea temperatures. more storms are forecast in the coming days. here in kerala, known as god's own paradise, they are praying it doesn't get worse. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. if you want to get in touch with me on any of the stories that you have seen so far the situation in india as wejust saw on the report there, i am on twitter. i am looking forward to hearing from you. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme, the styles walking the red carpet at the premiere of hollywood's new sci—fi epic. —— the stars walking the red carpet. a historic moment that many of his victims have waited forfour many of his victims have waited for four decades. many of his victims have waited forfour decades. the many of his victims have waited for four decades. the former dictator in the dark, older, slimmer, and as he sat down, obedient enough. dawn and as the sun breaks through the piercing chill of night on the plane outside it lights up a biblicalfamine now on plane outside it lights up a biblical famine now on the 20th century. the depressing conclusion, in argentina today it is actually cheaper to paper your walls with money. we've had controversies in the past with great britain but as good friends we have always found a good and lasting solution. concorde bails out in style after almost three decades in service. an aircraft that has enthralled its many admirers for so long taxis home one last time. this is a newsday on the bbc. 0ur this is a newsday on the bbc. our main story, the world remembers general and statesman cole and powell who has died at the age of 8a. more on our top story now. mark is a retired brigadier general and he gave me his reflections on colin powell's legacy.— powell's legacy. what i remember _ powell's legacy. what i remember most - powell's legacy. what i remember most of - powell's legacy. what i remember most of alll powell's legacy. what i l remember most of all is powell's legacy. what i - remember most of all is the decision in 1991 to show restraint and to follow the united nations mandates and not much on to baghdad at the end of the first world war. we defeated the iraqi army and in many ways we destroy the army and the road to baghdad was open but he and the other members of the national security council said that show restraint, let's take within the mandates of the united nations. the armies destroyed in let's call it a day. we have a victory. let's not overextend ourselves. i think that was a combination of leadership, restraint and, combination of leadership, restraintand, candidly, good sense that people should recognise and they probably don't. , ., , , ~' don't. yes, absolutely. ithink also it would _ don't. yes, absolutely. ithink also it would be _ don't. yes, absolutely. ithink also it would be fair— don't. yes, absolutely. ithink also it would be fair to - don't. yes, absolutely. ithink also it would be fair to say, i also it would be fair to say, as you point out, that he was cautious about sending american men and women soldiers into harms way but then in 2003, he did indeed end up convincing the un security council of the case for war. did you sense any reluctance on his part at the time? i reluctance on his part at the time? . , �* reluctance on his part at the time? ., , �* , , time? i really didn't because he had gone _ time? i really didn't because he had gone through - time? i really didn't because he had gone through the - time? i really didn't because i he had gone through the entire file at the central intelligence agency and the files of most of the intelligence departments we have throughout the world. at that point, the intelligence seemed conclusive. he did what we call a board. investigated, he ran them down and i think, the end of the day, he decided for himself that the case was made that he did have biological weapons. but, as he said, the information turned out not to be true. that is one of the uncertainties of life. that and intelligence can only give you the best in 80% probability. give you the best in 80% probability-— give you the best in 80% probability. give you the best in 80% robabili . ., ., probability. indeed. can i ask, how did it _ probability. indeed. can i ask, how did it affect _ probability. indeed. can i ask, how did it affect him? - probability. indeed. can i ask, how did it affect him? having | how did it affect him? having such a fine reputation being widely admired for that reputation and then having, i suppose, this blot on his name, having sold that war based on evidence that turned out to be 40 evidence that turned out to be a0 in the end? evidence that turned out to be 40 in the end?— evidence that turned out to be 40 in the end? look, there are a lot of peeple _ 40 in the end? look, there are a lot of people in _ 40 in the end? look, there are a lot of people in washington, | a lot of people in washington, dc that that would haunt and worry, that they are worried about their legacy and how that will affect it. but colin powell's greatest hobby was to fix volvos. it was a very humble man. he felt that he had got on well beyond his expectations from his youth. i think it was a happy man. every time you would see him in a public event he seemed to be positive. so, sure, we call that an pass trick on the season that his entire career, there was that one error in his mind but i think he was mature enough and self—conscious enough and self—conscious enough not to worry about that thing. china has denied a report that it is test a nuclear capable hypersonic missile. a spokesman acknowledged the test had been carried out but he said had just been a routine spacecraft attack. but there are concerns in washington that the new technology could undermine us defences. from beijing, he was our correspondent. initially the financial times newspaper reported that it had several sources saying that china had tested a hypersonic live vehicle — in fact, a nuclear—capable hypersonic live vehicle — and that this had taken the us intelligence agencies completely by surprise. now a hypersonic missile would travel around the globe in low orbit, then dipped down into cruise mode, honing in on its target. the point is very tough to track, much tougher than the conventional ballistic missile, for example, because it doesn't follow the same predictable arc. and, because it doesn't follow such a predictable arc, it's much harder to intercept. of course, if china has developed this technology, it would be a huge deal. the problem is the chinese government denies that it's carried out such a test. the foreign ministry spokesperson said today there had been a test, but that it was a spacecraft test, that china had been going through different versions of reusable equipment to make space travel more affordable, and that as part of this test, modules and pieces of equipment break off the main spacecraft and burn up upon reentering the earth's atmosphere before whatever�*s left splashes down into the ocean. stephen mcdonald there. meanwhile, australia's vaccination roll—out has been picking up. a new south wales more than 80% of adults are now fully vaccinated and victoria will hit that target soon. a triggerfor will hit that target soon. a trigger for allowing international borders to open. but elsewhere, especially in remote and regional areas, it is a different story. and in a land so fast getting needles in arms can be logistically tricky. now one of the country but the coldest institutions is helping to get those numbers up. the bbc�*s simon atkinson reports from north queensland. 50, 40, 30, ten... you don't get many visitors at the ravenswood airstrip. but for years, the royal flying doctors service has brought medical care here. and now, there's an extra bit of cargo on board. ravenswood has two pubs, but the nearest doctor is 100 km away. so this is how locals are getting vaccinated against covid—19. i was wondering i would get the shot at all. it's just convenient and it saves all the travel. and instead ofjoining the queue, we're here getting almost exclusive access. it's a of having to - have it, so i thought, "well, now's the time." this town has never had a case of covid—19 — so for many here, there's been no real urgency to get vaccinated. but with australia planning to open up soon, there's a warning that even people in remote locations like this can't be complacent. we can't keep covid out forever, we will have to open up, and i think the vaccinated will be largely all right, and the unvaccinated will be in a bad way. it'll have implications for flying doctors, as well, for these remote areas, because there'll be cases of covid. that'll need people to be hospitalised, and we'll have to fly them in full ppe down to the appropriate facility — which i'm not looking forward to, to be honest. clinics like this have given more than 50,000 covid jabs across remote australia, including in several indigenous communities. vaccination rates amongst aboriginal and islanders are far lower than in the country as a whole. but the flying doctors say they are bucking that trend. people in those communities know the service, they trust the doctors and nurses. so if their doctor that they know and trust says to them, "i think it's in your best interest to have this vaccine," they'll go, "ok, if you think i should have it, i'll have it." some employers in rural australia, especially the mining sector, are now making vaccinations compulsory. workers must decide job orjab. at the ravenswood gold mine, it remains voluntary for now. hoping that the fly—in clinic will make the process so easy that it's hard to say "no". simon atkinson, bbc news, north queensland. in the wake ofjames bond's return to the big screen the hollywood sci—fi epicjoins 007 in the campaign to entice cinema fans back to theatres. the star—studded remake of david lynch's1980s cult the star—studded remake of david lynch's 19805 cult hit goes david lynch's19805 cult hit goes on wide theatrical release this week. it is from an acclaimed canadian director who is urged audiences not to dilute their experience by watching it at home. linda's leicester square played host to a special red—carpet event and we were on hand to speak to some of the film stars. well, the crowds are back in leicester square despite the rain and of course it is doing what it does best. hosting a gala screening of a pretty epic movie and the screams you are hearing earlier, well, they were all for the star—studded cast and tonight we have got timothy and our very own londoner sharon. guys, sorry about the weather, first above. this is lovely. it adds a sort of glimmer. this is lovely. it adds a sort of glimmer-— this is lovely. it adds a sort of glimmer. this is lovely. it adds a sort of climmer. ., ., , of glimmer. the london vibe in london spirit. _ of glimmer. the london vibe in london spirit. this _ of glimmer. the london vibe in london spirit. this is _ of glimmer. the london vibe in london spirit. this is what - london spirit. this is what london spirit. this is what london is _ london spirit. this is what london is always - london spirit. this is what london is always like, - london spirit. this is what i london is always like, right? london spirit. this is what - london is always like, right? i love it. i'd make you spend the last six— love it. i'd make you spend the last six months here so how has it been? — last six months here so how has it been? you'll about a month or two— it been? you'll about a month or two months. it is great and i have — or two months. it is great and i have friends he and i love it here — i have friends he and i love it here i'm _ i have friends he and i love it here. i'm from new york so doesn't _ here. i'm from new york so doesn't feel that much different. i doesn't feel that much different.— doesn't feel that much different. ,, ., ., different. i was asking sharon earlier has — different. i was asking sharon earlier has she _ different. i was asking sharon earlier has she given - different. i was asking sharon earlier has she given you - different. i was asking sharon earlier has she given you any| earlier has she given you any tips on where to go? have you gone to east london? i tips on where to go? have you gone to east london?- tips on where to go? have you gone to east london? i have not one to gone to east london? i have not gone to east _ gone to east london? i have not gone to east london _ gone to east london? i have not gone to east london but - gone to east london but dart—mac it is starting right now. it dart-mac it is starting right now. , ., , , now. it is happening. some delicacies. _ now. it is happening. some delicacies, a _ now. it is happening. some delicacies, a whole - now. it is happening. some delicacies, a whole load - now. it is happening. some delicacies, a whole load of| delicacies, a whole load of clubs _ delicacies, a whole load of clubs. we will party. i will get — clubs. we will party. i will get it _ clubs. we will party. i will get it right, i promise. you will see — get it right, i promise. you will see is _ get it right, i promise. you will see is out _ get it right, i promise. you will see is out and - get it right, i promise. you will see is out and about. l get it right, i promise. you will see is out and about. i | will see is out and about. i will see is out and about. i will let you get in. have a fantastic night. thank you. {30 fantastic night. thank you. go see it at fantastic night. thank you. (er? see it at imax, not on atv. fantastic night. thank you. go | see it at imax, not on atv. we want to bring — see it at imax, not on atv. we want to bring this story. can the west is now knowing legally as ye. you may ask why but his die—hard fans are not surprised by the change. that is all we have this hour. thank you so much forjoining me. hello, good evening. quite a few parts of the country had temperatures of 18 degrees today and it's likely to get warmer tomorrow if and when the sunshine does come out. the warmer air is coming our way thanks to the winds from the south or southwest. as we've seen already, it has brought with it a lot of cloud, the cloud still around at the moment. this cloud here coming in from the atlantic is going to bring the next area of rain. the earlier rain and drizzle is moving away, and for a while, there could be a few breaks in the cloud. that will lead to the odd mist and fog patch, and then the thicker cloud arrives mainly across the western side of the uk to bring the rain to these areas. of course, after the warmth that we had during the day, the temperatures are going to fall very low overnight, 12 to 14 degrees. we start with a lot of cloud, outbreaks of rain around that could be heavy for a while over some of these western hills. as we head into the afternoon, the rain is in the north and west. it could cheer up again later across parts of northern ireland, but ahead of the rain in the afternoon, we should get some sunshine in east anglia and the southeast. and it's here temperatures could reach 20 or 21 degrees with a more typical of early summer. even when we have a cloud or outbreaks of rain, around 17 or 19 degrees. a very mild day. there is more rain in the forecast for wednesday, this time generally moving northwards across england and wales. some thundery downpours possible. either side of that, there's going to be some sunshine. still a mild day on wednesday, just not quite as mild as tuesday. we've got this rain arriving in the northwest of scotland. that's going to be significant because, to the north of that, there is colder air. that will push across the country through the rest of the week and the weather will feel very different. we still have a tangle of weather fronts on the scene during wednesday as we head into thursday. these are the main ones drifting down across the uk, bringing with it some showery outbreaks of rain. then those northerly winds come setting in and it's those northerly winds that will drop the temperatures as well. we've still got some outbreaks of rain to clear away from eastern parts of england on thursday. otherwise there will be some sunshine and a rash of showers, a rash of showers in the far north over the higher ground, maybe a wintry flavour as well. it's going to be a windy day. the winds generally from the north, possibly touching gale force, around some north sea coasts. that, of course, will make it feel colder, very different from what we're feeling at that moment. 8 degrees the best in northern scotland, 13 in southern england and wales. you're watching bbc news. we will have the headlines and all of the main news stories at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. hello. the back pages have been dominating the front pages this week with the sale of newcastle united football club. but the premier league isn't the only part of british public life that the saudis are buying into.