they made their decision to attack ahmaud arbery in their driveways — because he was a black man running down the street. as countries across europe continue to battle covid—19, northern ireland has now asked people to work from home. the first tightening of covid measures here in the uk. and nasa are firing a rocket into space to try to hit an asteroid — and make it change course. we will look into how and why it's doing that. it's100 days since the taliban re—took power in afghanistan. many commentators viewed it as a humiliation for the west, nato, and president biden in particular. this is the moment when taliban forces entered the presidential palace. president ghani had long since gone, prefering to leave the country altogether. fast forward to today — and girls are banned from education and the economy is in tatters. this week, the red cross warned of a humanitarian crisis this winter with millions facing severe malnutrition. president biden got severely criticised for pulling us troops out, even by fellow democrats. but the decision to go was actually taken by his predecessor, donald trump. john bolton was trump's national security adviser. he says afghanistan is much more dangerous because of the decision to leave. 2—3 months after the us and nato withdrawal, we are potentially six months away from terrorist attacks. i mean, it's a stunning admission that the united states and much of the rest of the world is now much less secure after the withdrawal than we were beforehand. as well as limiting girls�* education, the plight of working women has also been an issue. this is the experience of a female university teacher — who is remaining anonymous for her own safety. ifi if i compare my life, it is not only a comparison of my life but of the entire _ a comparison of my life but of the entire society in afghanistan in this current regime is obviously a catastrophic situation, and a condition— catastrophic situation, and a condition that no one had ever even dreamt _ condition that no one had ever even dreamt of — condition that no one had ever even dreami of i— condition that no one had ever even dreamt of. i mean, it is something that we _ dreamt of. i mean, it is something that we are — dreamt of. i mean, it is something that we are still thinking that it has to— that we are still thinking that it has to he — that we are still thinking that it has to be a nightmare. for its part, the taliban says it wants peaceful relations with other nations. it's blamed the current humanitarian crisis on international sanctions. the situation that has been brought about in afghanistan and the dire . humanitarian situation _ that we are facing is the work — or, let's frame it as the achievements, as they still like to call it — - the achievements . of the last 20 years. we never wanted the situation. all we did was fight - for our freedom, to gain our independence from an occupation. my colleague, yalda hakim, is in kabul and has been reporting from there all day. we'll be speaking to her in a moment. but first, her report on what life is like under the taliban. at the food distribution centre in southeast kabul, the hungry wait. this is a nation on the brink of starvation. and for aid agencies, it's a race against time. emotions begin to run high. this woman has arrived with her disabled son, pleading for help. the world food programme says they are doing everything they can — but it's not enough. she tells me she's desperate. the taliban says the world needs to act. the international community has a hand in that, because they have imposed sanctions and other steps which has led to this humanitarian crisis. and these are the faces of the crisis. we've just come to the indira gandhi children's hospital, where there are many cases of children suffering from acute malnutrition. this girl is three — so weak, she can barely open her eyes. this child is nearly one. it's notjust patients suffering — health care staff haven't been paid for months. every single person i'm speaking to has the same story — they can't pay for their ticket to come here, they can't pay for theirfood here. and she was just saying that someday they may have to admit her here as a malnutrition patient herself, because she doesn't know where she'll get her meal from. —— her next mealfrom. even before the taliban came to power, there is a humanitarian crisis in this country. drought, aid cuts, and the economic collapse have turned prices into catastrophe. and yalda joins us now from kabul. as i'm watching your report there, i'm wondering what is the taliban and's plan to address the many practical and humanitarian problems that your hybrid —— that you are highlighting? that your hybrid -- that you are highlighting?— that your hybrid -- that you are highlighting? that your hybrid -- that you are hiuuuhlihtin? ., , , highlighting? that is something this entire nation _ highlighting? that is something this entire nation is _ highlighting? that is something this entire nation is wondering _ highlighting? that is something this entire nation is wondering and - entire nation is wondering and waiting to hear. in fact, the entire international community is waiting to hear how the taliban and plans to deal with this humanitarian crisis, with this economic crisis to avoid a potential collapse in this country. i was speaking earlier to some people from this region who say that whatever happens in afghanistan won't remain just in this country — it will spill over to the region, to places like pakistan, is pakistan. and notjust there, it will then lead to a refugee crisis, into turkey, then europe, as well. so this is now a race for the afghan people between starvation and seeking immigration, fleeing, leaving this country — which is what we've seen over the last few months. because frankly, the afghan people don't have answers from the taliban. the international community doesn't have answers from the taliban. we are starting to see is democrat restrictions put on the afghan people — but the taliban are also concerned about how this humanitarian crisis will unfold as winter looms, and where it will actually leave them and their government. actually leave them and their government-— actually leave them and their government. actually leave them and their covernment. �* ., ., ., ., government. bearing all of that in mind, government. bearing all of that in mind. what. _ government. bearing all of that in mind. what. if— government. bearing all of that in mind, what, if any _ government. bearing all of that in mind, what, if any channels - government. bearing all of that in mind, what, if any channels of. mind, what, if any channels of communication are there between the taliban and major international organisations, or influential governments who might be able to help alleviate this crisis? the taliban are _ help alleviate this crisis? tue: taliban are talking help alleviate this crisis? tte: taliban are talking to help alleviate this crisis? tt2 taliban are talking to the international community and major aid organisations, the united nations, the w fp — every single day they are in conversation with them. the europeans say they are going to open some kind of mission here in kabul, but that doesn't mean recognition of the taliban or legitimising the taliban, that they can still address the humanitarian crisis without actually recognising this particular regime. because the international community has certain conditions that they want matt, and that includes an inclusive government — which we haven't seen from the taliban yet. it is a regime thatis from the taliban yet. it is a regime that is made up of mostly men, mostly people who fought for the taliban in the last 20 years. women's rights have been ignored, the rights of young girls, teenage girls who have wanted to go back to school across this country, millions of girls of we've been reporting have been denied education and many of the provinces. the international community isn't willing to work with the taliban in terms of recognition until these are met. but in terms of delivery of aid and dealing with his current humanitarian crisis, frankly it is a race against time, and it will be a tough road ahead for both the taliban and the afghan people. given all that, there are clearly any number of pressing concerns for afghans. to what degree can they talk to you and each other about whether they feel the taliban is the best solution to the leadership of their country at this moment of pressure? can they have these conversations?— pressure? can they have these conversations? , ., , ., conversations? they do quietly have these conversations, _ conversations? they do quietly have these conversations, they _ conversations? they do quietly have these conversations, they are - these conversations, they are concerned about publicly discussing it — although in the last couple days, we've seen certain individuals, a university professor who came out in one of the national television networks and publicly criticised the taliban, saying the afghan people are not dead, "do not silence us, do not attempt to gag us, we will fight back." and this is something i've discussed with the taliban leadership over the past week while i've been here. i've discussed with them the past mistakes that previous governments of this country have made. the previous government was heavily criticised for basically being detached from the afghan people, and thatis detached from the afghan people, and that is what increasingly led to the collapse of the government. the taliban say they don't want to do that or be detached from the public. but what the afghan people are currently seeing and experiencing is exactly what's happening. the taliban are not seen to be more inclusive, more accepting of women's and girls rights, notjust because there is pressure from the international community, but because they have an obligation to meet 38 million people of this country. and it will be tough for them to remain in power and have the support of the afghan people. in power and have the support of the afghan maple-— afghan people. thank you very much for “oininu afghan people. thank you very much forjoining us— afghan people. thank you very much forjoining us on _ afghan people. thank you very much forjoining us on outside _ afghan people. thank you very much forjoining us on outside source. - president biden is about to give a major speech on his plan to lower prices for americans. we know why he wants to do this — inflation is at a 31—year high, petrol prices are at a seven—year high, and this is hurting both american families andjoe biden's approval ratings. ahead of his speech, joe biden also announced a plan for global energy prices. this involves the us tapping into its emergency oil supplies in texas and louisiana. china, india, japan, south korea, and the uk are moving in tandem. this is the first coordinated release of oil like this in a decade. india, for example, says it will release five million barrels of oilfor local use. here's one energy analyst on whether this intervention will help. it's very unusual to see the united states, china, the uk, india all combining to form a, sort of, coalition for the consumer. —— coalition of oil consumers. the question is for how long this spr can go on and what the effect will be on prices in the short and medium—term. our expectation is that it will have a short term effect on prices. as a matter of fact, we already see that today, the international benchmark is up $1.20 — so it's up 1.5% already. so it looks like the spr news was already priced in the market. here are the numbers on us petrol prices. according to the american automobile assocation, the average price for a gallon of petrol is $3.40. in states such as pennsylvania, california, and nevada, the price is higher. to put this in perspective, a year ago, that figure was $2.11— so over a 50% rise. let's hear from the energy analyst again. this $50 million of oil, as a matter of fact, 32 million of these barrels will be on the short—term. so it means that they'll be releasing into the market in the next few weeks. and then, they will basically purchase them back at a lower price, as a matter of fact, so it's also a good deal for the government. the point is, we are talking about materially 50—80 million barrels released into the market. can this change the supply and demand balance of oil, and therefore, the prices? the answer is apparently, as we see from the market today, not that much. so that's always the case with strategic petrol reserve — the effect is temporary and, in most cases, the effect is also very limited. so that's the petrol prices — and they are feeding into the high inflation. last month, it surged to 6.2% — that's the biggest 12—month jump since 1990. and this is how it's hurting. bacon prices are up 20% over the past year, eggs 12%, used cars are 26% higher. democrats fear this will play into next year's midterm elections. here's a financial analyst on that point. it's notjust biden, but other leaders are under pressure to bring costs under control, given rising global inflationary pressures. but really, for biden, with his approval ratings being at all—time lows at the moment, he is under pressure to deliver something — and, while the reserves will certainly put a damper on oil prices which, in addition to european lockdown, should bring the price down, i think more importantly, it's the signal to the markets and signal to his people that he's actually doing everything he can. biden also referred to the largest oil producers in the united states, to the federal trade commission for investigation, saying they were "taking acts that were against the american people" with coordinated action that has kept oil price higher than it should be. so he's trying to do all he can to signal that he's doing what he can to bring the oil price down. again, the timing of joe biden's speech is crucial. americans are heading away for thanksgiving holiday on thursday. millions will be going by car. our business correspondent michelle fleury is in new york for us. what other options are available tojoe biden to ease gas prices? i think when you consider what they are doing, one of the areas obviously is trying to lower the price to releasing more into the market, trying to affects dashed to affect supply and demand. at the impact of that is fairly limited and, because there had been so much speculation that washington was considering doing something like this, the already kind of baked into it and we're starting to see it increase right now. other things that the white house can control, one of the things we saw yesterday was the reappointment ofjerome powell at the us federal reserve — they of course play a central role in raising interest rates or what they do with interest rate policy. that has a big impact on inflation. so in its own ways, it'll be fascinating to watch how that plays out for the next couple of years. joe biden is really putting face in his trust —— and his trust injerome powell. what happens with interest rates could have a huge impact on approval rating and what happens with inflation.— with inflation. you'll know more about this _ with inflation. you'll know more about this than _ with inflation. you'll know more about this than me, _ with inflation. you'll know more about this than me, but - with inflation. you'll know more about this than me, but is - with inflation. you'll know more about this than me, but is it - with inflation. you'll know more | about this than me, but is it right that there is a debate over how transitory this inflation is? whether it's a long—term pattern or whether it'll pass in a short period of time? t whether it'll pass in a short period of time? ., ., ., ., ., , of time? i go to a lot of these monthly. _ of time? i go to a lot of these monthly. or— of time? i go to a lot of these monthly, or twice _ of time? i go to a lot of these monthly, or twice every - of time? i go to a lot of these | monthly, or twice every month meetings with the federal reserve — and one of the things that powell is often asked about is, what does he mean by inflation being transitory? and he's had to explain it multiple times. one of the interesting things he said recently was transitory doesn't mean that prices aren't going up and don't stay up. at the question is, over what period of time? and i think that's what we're really talking about. so people can expect to pay more and prices not necessarily come down — but the forces behind that, are they something that are temporary, or do those forces continue to drive up prices on a long—term basis? and because most economists think that a lot of this is happening as a result of the pandemic recovery and that mismatch between supply and demand, and the problems it's causing in terms of supply chain bottlenecks, they anticipate that is the all starts to dissipate next year, so will some of the upward price pressure. so that is why you have this whole conversation about, what does temporary mean? in the meantime, there's this thing about perception — that if people start to believe that prices will continue to go believe that prices will continue to 9° up, believe that prices will continue to go up, then it starts, regardless of those pressures, starts to become entrenched. and that's another aspect of this, you see the fed and other economists monitoring that closely. other economists monitoring that closel . ~ . other economists monitoring that closel. ~ . ., other economists monitoring that closel. m ., . 46 people have died after a bus crashed and burst into flames in western bulgaria. it's thought only seven people managed to escape alive from the vehicle. many of the passengers, including children, had been travelling through bulgaria on their way to north macedonia after a weekend trip to istanbul when the bus crashed. bethany bell sent this report from bulgaria. a catastrophic crash. the bus rammed a barrier on the motorway south—west of sofia. it tore away a 50—metre section, and then burst into flames. on board were tourists, mostly from north macedonia. they were returning from a trip to istanbul, in turkey. the victims have not yet been officially named. a cause has yet to be determined, but witnesses reported hearing a blast. translation: the question is, what caused this blast? - if it was an explosion inside the bus, or a blast caused by the bus hitting the guard rails? this brings us back to the main leads in the probe — if it was a technical fault of the vehicle or a human error that caused the crash? seven people escaped from the wreckage. the survivors were brought here to this emergency hospital in sofia. they've been treated for burns and other injuries. it seems they only managed to escape by breaking through the windows of the bus. for relatives and friends, this is an agonising time. this man said he hadn't heard from his nephew. translation: i saw information - about the crash at 6am this morning. i saw it on the internet and on facebook, to be more precise. as my nephew was in turkey, i started searching for more information on the internet. i called the company's phone numberfor 3—4 hours — and we did not have any information from them, nor are they answering the phone. locals say accidents are common on this stretch of motorway. as the authorities continue their investigations, the families mourn their dead. bethany bell, bbc news, sofia. let me take you back to 2007 and the sexual assault and murder of british student meredith kercher in perugia, in italy. this quickly escalated into an international courtroom drama involving miss kercher�*s american roommate, amanda knox, and knox�*s italian boyfriend, rafaele solecito. they were convicted, only for the decision to be overturned almost four years later, reconvicted and then finally acquitted on appeal. another man was arrested alongside them. it was this man, rudy guede from ivory coast. he was found to be definitively guilty after his bloodstained fingerprints were identified at the scene of the crime. his sentence was due to end in earlyjanuary, but it was brought forward and he's now a free man. the bbc�*s mark lowen is in rome. for those people who don't member the story in detail, how did the man who was convicted connect to the other two who weren't?— who was convicted connect to the other two who weren't? well, it came down to rudy — other two who weren't? well, it came down to rudy guede, _ other two who weren't? well, it came down to rudy guede, the _ other two who weren't? well, it came down to rudy guede, the man - other two who weren't? well, it came i down to rudy guede, the man who was convicted, was a friend of some italians who were living one floor below meredith kercher and amanda knoxin below meredith kercher and amanda knox in the house that they were renting in 2007. meredith kercher was there studying italian on an exchange programme, and she was sharing a flat with amanda knox — but one floor below where the italians and rudy guede. rudy guede was known for having committed some other crimes, burglary and the like, and it was then found he had the blood he fingerprints, bloodied handprints at the scene, his dna was also on a knife. remember, meredith kercher�*s body was found with about 47 stab wounds, there was a cut to her neck, and it turned out that rudy guede had sexually assaulted and killed her. but in all of this was the other international saga involving amanda knox and rafaele solecito — they are now free after spending almost four years in prison. now today, rafaele solecito said that due to rudy guede's lies, those two had to serve almost four yearin those two had to serve almost four year in prison and meredith kercher died. tn year in prison and meredith kercher died. . , year in prison and meredith kercher died. ., , _, , , died. in the last couple minutes of the programme. — died. in the last couple minutes of the programme, this _ died. in the last couple minutes of the programme, this was - died. in the last couple minutes of the programme, this was a - died. in the last couple minutes of the programme, this was a huge l died. in the last couple minutes of - the programme, this was a huge story repeatedly in italy with the watching world paying close attention, as well. has this moment also generated a lot of interest in italy? also generated a lot of interest in ital ? ., ., , also generated a lot of interest in ital? ., ., , ., italy? not really, actually. i have to sa , italy? not really, actually. i have to say. he _ italy? not really, actually. i have to say. he spent _ italy? not really, actually. i have to say, he spent the _ italy? not really, actually. i have to say, he spent the last - italy? not really, actually. i have to say, he spent the last few- italy? not really, actually. i have - to say, he spent the last few months out of prison anyway, finishing his sentence through community service. so actually, the formal end of the sentence today has gone relatively quietly. and a close associate says that he now simply wants to be forgotten — whether that happens or not is yet to be known, he's rejected requests for interviews and is working for a catholic charity, which is what he's been doing at the end of his sentence. so which is what he's been doing at the end of his sentence.— end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk _ end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk about _ end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk about it _ end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk about it now, - end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk about it now, but - end of his sentence. so he doesn't want to talk about it now, but at i want to talk about it now, but at any point in the process, has he been willing to talk about what he was convicted of? tie. been willing to talk about what he was convicted of?— been willing to talk about what he was convicted of? no, and he was alwa s was convicted of? no, and he was always saving _ was convicted of? no, and he was always saying he _ was convicted of? no, and he was always saying he was _ was convicted of? no, and he was always saying he was a _ was convicted of? no, and he was always saying he was a not - was convicted of? no, and he was always saying he was a not guilty, he's denied his guilt, and he's never offered an apology. that's add to the pain of the family of meredith kercher — and add the frustration of rafaele solecito and amanda knox, they were convicted, acquitted, convicted, and finally acquitted, convicted, and finally acquitted — it was a real international saga with intense media scrutiny. so that brings to the end, i suppose, a very long and dramatic international legal drama. mark, thanks very much indeed. as mark, thanks very much indeed. as mark was finishing his report, joe biden has stepped out to give his talk, announcing a number of measures to address the very high levels of inflation that america is experiencing. bear in mind it's been hitting highs that outstrip anything we've seen in the last 30 years. let's have a listen to what the president is saying. we saw in 2014, and recently as 2019, we saw it surpassed $3 in many places. the fact is, we always get through those spikes, but we will get through this one as well and hopefully faster. but it doesn't mean we should just stand by idly and wait for prices to drop on their own. instead, we are taking action. the big part of the reason americans are facing high gas prices is because oil producing companies and large companies have not ramped up the supply of oil quickly enough to meet the demand. and the smaller supply means higher prices globally for oil. to address these issues, i got on the phone with leaders of other countries, grappling with this challenge, don't try and find ways to lower oil prices and the price you to lower oil prices and the price y°u pay to lower oil prices and the price you pay at the pump. so today, i'm announcing that the largest ever release from the us strategic petroleum reserve to help provide us with the supply we need as we recover from this pandemic. with the supply we need as we recoverfrom this pandemic. in addition, i've brought to gather other nations that can contribute to the solution— india, japan, the republic of korea and the uk have agreed to release additional oil from the reserves. and china may do more, as well. this coordinated action will help us deal with the lack of supply which in turn helps us to ease prices. the bottom line — today we are launching a major effort to lower the price of oil, it will expand the globe and its reach. i've worked hard these past few weeks, with calls and meetings with foreign leaders, policy makers to put together the building blocks for today's global announcement. and while our combined actions will not solve the problem of high gas prices overnight, it will make a difference. it will take time but, before long, you should see the price of gas dropped where you fill up price of gas dropped where you fill up your tank. and price of gas dropped where you fill up yourtank. and in price of gas dropped where you fill up your tank. and in the longer term, we will reduce our reliance on oil as we shift to cleaner energy. but right now, i will do what needs to be done to reduce the price you pay at the pump. from the middle class and families who are spending too much, it is a strain, and you are the reason i was here to sent —— sent here to look out for you. there's another issue that needs addressing, as well, because the fact that the price of oil was already dropping to the dust prior to the announcement. the wholesale prices dropped over 10% the last few weeks. at the price at the pump has it budged a penny — in other words, gas supply companies are paying less and making a lot more. they do not seem to be passing that on to the consumers at the pump. in fact, if the gap between wholesale and retail gas prices was aligned with past averages, americans would be paying at least 25 cents less per gallon right now as i speak. instead, companies are pocketing the difference as profit. that's unacceptable. that's why i've asked the federal trade commission to consider whether potentially illegal and anti—competitive behaviour in the oil and gas industry is causing higher prices for consumers. so we can assure the american people are paying a fair price for gasoline. i also want to briefly address one myth about inflated gas prices — they are not due to environmental measures. my effort to combat climate change is not raising the price of gas or increasing its availability. what it is doing is increasing the availability ofjobs. jobs building electric cars like the one i drove to the gm factory in detroit last week. for the hundreds of thousands of folks who bought one of thousands of folks who bought one of those electric cars, they'll save $100 — 1000 of those electric cars, they'll save $100 —1000 in of those electric cars, they'll save $100 — 1000 in fuel costs this of those electric cars, they'll save $100 —1000 in fuel costs this year. we will createjobs $100 —1000 in fuel costs this year. we will create jobs installing solar panels and heat pumps, jobs creating clean energy devices. deploying these technologies for each home that there's installed will save folks hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year. let's do that, let's be climate change with more innovation and opportunities. we can make our economy and consumers less vulnerable to these sorts of price spikes when we do that. and finally, even as we dashed any time we meet out to fight this challenge, it is important to maintain perspective about where our economy stands today. the fact is, america has a lot to be proud of. we are experiencing the strongest economic recovery in the world. even after accounting for inflation, our economy is bigger and ourfamilies have more money in their pockets than they did before the pandemic. america is the other major economy in the world that can say that. it is testament to the grit and determination of the american people. ourfocus on rebuilding our economy from the bottom up from the middle out, not the top down. because of that approach, we are the only leading economy in the world where household income in the economy as a whole are stronger than they were before the pandemic hit. let me close with this. this thanksgiving we have so much to be grateful for. thanksgiving we have so much to be gratefulfor. vaccines thanksgiving we have so much to be grateful for. vaccines that are effective, safe and free. promising new treatments, providing for a hope that we can bring an end to the worst tragedies of this crisis. record job growth, the strongest recovery in the world. and most of all, the chance to be together again with the people we love thanksgiving. as you gather together with your family this thanksgiving, i want you to know how grateful i am to serve as your president and i promise you i will never stop working to address your family's needs, and together we are going to confront challenges and we are going to face them honestly. that will keep building this economy around hard—working folks who built this country. happy thanksgiving and god bless you and may god protect our troops. i'm heading to a food kitchen to serve meals right now. thank you for your time and effort. i will have plenty of time to talk to you later. i will have plenty of time to talk to you later-— to you later. lots of questions bein: to you later. lots of questions being shouted _ to you later. lots of questions being shouted at _ to you later. lots of questions being shouted at him - to you later. lots of questions being shouted at him but - to you later. lots of questions being shouted at him but he l to you later. lots of questions| being shouted at him but he is opting not to take any of them. let's bring in a corresponded michelle fleury. you were listening across all of that. what did you make of what he said? t across all of that. what did you make of what he said?- across all of that. what did you make of what he said? i think the democrats _ make of what he said? i think the democrats have _ make of what he said? i think the democrats have grown _ make of what he said? i think the. democrats have grown increasingly nervous in recent weeks. the higher inflation levels were causing huge problems, certainly if you look at the congressional elections in a year's time, and you have seen the response to that, speaking more forcefully in recent days about what exactly has been done to help and support the economy since president biden took office. so to go back to the speech, he started off talking about higher costs, inflation, but also how far the us has come since the pandemic, and tried to put it in context relative to prices we have seen before, so actions that his administration has taken to address supply chain bottlenecks, then he talked about the actions they were taking today, and he framed it in terms of high gas prices that americans are faced before, saying, we have been here before and we have come through this before and we are hearing you and doing something about it. that was the overall message again with this idea of trying to remind people of what has been done, bearing in mind the shock that the pandemic caused to the us economy initially. t that the pandemic caused to the us economy initially.— economy initially. i was struck by the fact that _ economy initially. i was struck by the fact that the _ economy initially. i was struck by the fact that the president - the fact that the president emphasised this wasn't to do with environmental concerns, that struck me as being the words of a president with a very keen eye on the polls, a keen eye on his approval ratings are very much aware of perhaps his political weaknesses on the subject. yes, you know, obviously this is a president who has come in and said he wants to make, change is central to policy decisions but in some is what we are seeing now is a very traditional kind of bread and butter economic policy for the one prices go economic policy for the one prices 9° up economic policy for the one prices go up at the pub, it is something americans feel sharply, viscerally if you like, when they're on the road. but here we are at the start of the winter season, heating costs will be an issue going forward, so we're trying to get in front of that and say, look, we are of the problems on the page you a feeling that we are trying to address it. we are starting to see the recognition of that when you look at various polls that say, how do people feel the biden administration is handling it in terms of inflation? but increasingly, republicans are sensing an opportunity, there have been adverts from them pushing home the point about how much some of biden's policies have been driving up biden's policies have been driving up prices. all of this crowding out policy which set watkins —— my central concern. . policy which set watkins -- my central concern. ._ policy which set watkins -- my central concern. . staying in the us but shifting — central concern. . staying in the us but shifting to _ central concern. . staying in the us but shifting to the _ central concern. . staying in the us but shifting to the state _ central concern. . staying in the us but shifting to the state of - but shifting to the state of georgia. the trial of three white men accused of murdering a black man, ahmaud arbery, is nearing its end. the jury is considering its verdict. here's part of the prosecution's closing statement. all three of the defendants made assumptions. the assumptions about what was going on that day. they made their decision to attack ahmaud arbery in the driveway because it was a black man running down the street. this is ahmaud arbery. on february 23rd last year, he was shot and killed while out jogging a short distance from his home. initially, no—one was charged with the killing — until this video was leaked online. it had been filmed by one of the three defendants. the leak was two months after ahmaud arbery�*s death. there is also bodycam footage from the police who arrived at the scene. they found ahmaud aubrey injured and on the ground. you're not putting him in cuffs, are you? no, no, no, why would he be in cuffs? lawyers for mr arbery�*s family have called his death a "modern—day lynching". the defendants argue they were defending themselves while trying to make a "citizen's arrest". here's one of their attorneys. you do have a right to have a firearm when you make an arrest. you do have a right to stop a person, and to hold them and detain them for the police. and there is risk with that. as part of the defence, one attorney made reference to ahmaud aubrey�*s appearance on the day — including that he wasn't wearing socks. this was ahmaud arbery�*s mother's response. that was just... beyond that wasjust... beyond rude. regardless of what kind of toenails he had size legs he had, that was still my son. and my son actually was running for his life. these are the three defendants. gregory mcmichael, and his son travis. and also their neighbour william bryan. they each face nine charges, including murder and aggravated assault. they have pleaded not guilty. prosecutors allege that travis mcmichael used a racial slur while mr arbery lay on the ground. all three men deny racism. we heard quite a different perspective from the arbery family attorney. we understand the defence counsel has a _ we understand the defence counsel has a job— we understand the defence counsel has a job to do. however, some of the arguments they are relying on, it smacks_ the arguments they are relying on, it smacks of— the arguments they are relying on, it smacks of the tradition of racism, _ it smacks of the tradition of racism, victim blaming, and really 'ust racism, victim blaming, and really just a _ racism, victim blaming, and really just a lack— racism, victim blaming, and really just a lack of scrupulous miss. there's another point of controversy. of the 12 people selected for the trial�*s jury, only one is black. this piece from the associated press, titled, "how the arbery trial got a nearly all—white jury", explains why that's happened. during jury selection in the us, both the defense and prosecution get a certain number of "peremptory strikes". those allow potential jurors to be dismissed without explanation, or if it's believed there is a risk of bias. according to the supreme court, those strikes can't be used to dismiss jurors based solely on their race. but critics say the practice is fraught with biases and creates racially imbalanced juries that make it harder to bring justice. omar villafranca from cbs is outside the courthouse in georgia. thanks forjoining us on the bbc. give us an idea of the amount of attention at the courthouse today. well, right now, there is a large group of media that's here but in front of the courthouse, there are some microphones set up and there is a small group of demonstrators that are there to show support for the arbery family. the microphones are there because when and if we do have a verdict, we are expecting the prosecution to come out and make statements, possibly members of the arbery family, possibly members of the mcmichael family, to speak out, depending on how it goes. so right now it is kind of hurry up and wait. but in the last few days this has been a very busy courthouse grounds. we had several hundred black pastors who came out to show support for the arbery family and if you're asking why, it is because one of the defence attorneys inside said that, well, we don't want this mini black pastors inside the courtroom, it could prove intimidating to a jury. that turned around and basically spurred all these black pastors to show up here in south georgia. right now it is calm and everyone is waiting for the verdict. to what de . ree waiting for the verdict. to what degree has _ waiting for the verdict. to what degree has this _ waiting for the verdict. to what degree has this become - waiting for the verdict. to what degree has this become a - waiting for the verdict. to whatj degree has this become a story waiting for the verdict. to what i degree has this become a story of national interest to cbs viewers and other americans?— other americans? well, we started coverin: other americans? well, we started covering this _ other americans? well, we started covering this before _ other americans? well, we started covering this before that _ other americans? well, we started covering this before that video - other americans? well, we started. covering this before that video came out. there was enough people talking about it down here. there was questions on the surroundings, what actually happened? then the came out and once that came out, and as you are well aware, the video is something that will get a lot of attention, it became a national story, and an international story as well. but it also got the attention of law enforcement here in the county. after the video came out it was just a few days later that travis and gregory mcmichael were arrested and a few days after that william bryan. but that video really built this case because some people were worried, at least in the arbery family side, that this case was just going to be what it initially was, a one paragraph press release saying that there was a shooting in a neighbourhood and a resident shot someone who may have been a burglar, that was it. but that video changed everything. that was it. but that video changed eve hina. ., ., ~ that was it. but that video changed eve hina. . ., ~' ,, that was it. but that video changed eve hina. . ., ~' ., everything. omar, thank you for the u date. people in northern ireland have been asked to work from home again — the world health organization that a further 700,000 people could die from problems related to covid—19. that would take the total above 2 million. the who says countries need to adopt basic public health measures to turn the tide. irate to adopt basic public health measures to turn the tide. we need to boost mask _ measures to turn the tide. we need to boost mask use. _ measures to turn the tide. we need to boost mask use. 4896 _ measures to turn the tide. we need to boost mask use. 4896 of- measures to turn the tide. we need to boost mask use. 4896 of people i measures to turn the tide. we need | to boost mask use. 4896 of people in to boost mask use. 48% of people in our region report mask useful to we need to increase this. dramatic reductions in transmission, where we see increased mask use. some masks need to be part of the armoury stall, we need to boost vaccines to save those hundreds of thousands of lives were just this winter. and basic public health and social measures are still in so important everybody everywhere in the european region. everybody everywhere in the european reuion. �* , everybody everywhere in the european reuion. , ., . region. because of the current situation lots _ region. because of the current situation lots of _ region. because of the current situation lots of countries - region. because of the current l situation lots of countries across europe have introduced tougher measures to try and contain covid—19. today one part of the uk did so too. people in northern ireland have been asked to work from home again — and wear face coverings indoors. 550 people per 100,000 had to run a virus in northern ireland in the last week, putting their rate higher than england, scotland or wales across the uk as a whole, the rate is 403. our ireland correspondent, chris page reports from belfast. no change to the legal measures, but there certainly is a change to the public messaging, that is being strengthened prior to today, people were being told to prepare for a return to the office, and that they could work from home when they can. now they are being told they should work from home unless they cannot. ministers say this is one of the key measures which they hope will make a difference to bring down those case numbers. they recognise, they say, it can be difficult for people depending on their circumstances, and they're asking employers to try to do their best to facilitate more people working from home. also there will be an increased focus on getting more people vaccinated, particularly getting more people to take up their third dose, their booster dose, and there will be advice on how people can limit their social contacts. no decision on mask wearing in terms of how it should be enforced. mask wearing here is still compulsory in a number of indoor public spaces. there has been some political disagreement about exactly how and how tightly they should be enforced, but now officials will look at that and come back with some recommendations. but overall, it is a shift in the public message and it's reflecting a feeling amongst ministers that things have to change for the better here in orderfor people to have a decent christmas. now, earlier, the the chief executive of astrazeneca gave an interview that has caused some controversy. he said that one reason the uk may be seeing fewer hospitalisations than many european countries is that it primarily used the astrazeneca vaccine. there's lots to unpack in that claim. let's start by reminding ourselves how these vaccines work. they provoke two different types of immune response. there are antibodies — these are proteins that target the invading virus. they're the main defence. but there are also t—cells. these won't stop you getting infected but they do help the body clear the virus once you have it. astrazeneca's ceo is pascal soriot. he was speaking tojustin webb on the today programme — and emphasised how its vaccine produces t—cells. this is the claim that's caused the upset. when you look at the uk, there was a big peak of infections but not so many hospitalisations relative to europe. in the uk, this vaccine was used to vaccinate all their people, whereas in europe initially, people thought the vaccine doesn't work... famously president macron said so. in particular as it relates to the durability of response, especially in older people, this vaccine has been shown to stimulate t—cells to a higher degree in older people. on hospitalisations first — what pascal soriot said is true. the top chart here shows confirmed cases from january to today. the uk is the pink line. particularly towards the end of the year the uk had significantly more cases than other countries in europe. the bottom chart shows hospitalisations. and there — it's much closer — more people were being hospitalised in the uk compared to other countries — but the gap is far smaller. so was it astrazeneca being used widely in the uk that explains it? danny altmann is professor of immunology at imperial college london. thank you forjoining us. do you think astrazeneca and the way it works explains what we are seeing in the uk compared with europe? 1&5 works explains what we are seeing in the uk compared with europe? as you sa , so the uk compared with europe? as you say. so much — the uk compared with europe? as you say. so much to _ the uk compared with europe? as you say, so much to impact _ the uk compared with europe? as you say, so much to impact on _ the uk compared with europe? as you say, so much to impact on those - say, so much to impact on those comments. let me start by saying, obviously no gripe with the astrazeneca vaccine, which has done a lot of heavy lifting in this pandemic, and you can't argue with the impact of 2 million doses, but to carry on with your refresher course on immunology, every vaccine activates the two arms of the immune response, the b cells that activate antibodies in the t—cells that help attack infected cells. to carry on with the primary little bit, the key protection that we know of is how much neutralising antibody to make. the mrna vaccines do that best and it is thought to be the reason for their more effective performance in their more effective performance in the pandemic. as was mentioned, astrazeneca produces a slightly higher t cell responses. we don't yet know what the benefit of those higher t cell responses might be but all immunologists sign up to the idea that there is some benefit. just so i'm clear, as you look at the differences between the uk's experience and some of the other european countries' experience, could the vaccines they have chosen to use be a factor in explaining that difference? t to use be a factor in explaining that difference?— to use be a factor in explaining that difference? i think it wouldn't be very high _ that difference? i think it wouldn't be very high on — that difference? i think it wouldn't be very high on my _ that difference? i think it wouldn't be very high on my list _ that difference? i think it wouldn't be very high on my list of - be very high on my list of hypotheses, because you have to be a very clever modeller to model the differences, because we vaccinated at different times so have had different levels in our population, we have vaccinated our teams at different times and to different extents, there are mitigations in place to different extents, you can see what i'm getting at, we would need to apply a lot of brain wattage to this to work out how much one factor plays into it more than another what the vaccine were chosen would be quite low down the list. all those points taken, just on a point of fact, is it to the astrazeneca vaccine generates more t—cells than some of the other high—profile vaccines? t-cells than some of the other high-profile vaccines?- t-cells than some of the other high-profile vaccines? they are all brilliant vaccines _ high-profile vaccines? they are all brilliant vaccines for _ high-profile vaccines? they are all brilliant vaccines for antibodies - brilliant vaccines for antibodies and t—cells. others are slightly head on antibodies, astrazeneca is ahead and t—cells. 1&5 head on antibodies, astrazeneca is ahead and t-cells._ ahead and t-cells. as you watched and listened _ ahead and t-cells. as you watched and listened to _ ahead and t-cells. as you watched and listened to that _ ahead and t-cells. as you watched and listened to that interview - ahead and t-cells. as you watched and listened to that interview with | and listened to that interview with the ceo of astrazeneca, how did you assess his analysis of what was happening was meant was appropriate for someone who is representing one of the highest profile vaccines? certainly not for me to judge, i think what he had to say in his position, ifelt that think what he had to say in his position, i felt that quite a lot of points were linked as if there was a causal link in a way that perhaps a peer reviewed scientist might not have done. irate peer reviewed scientist might not have done-— peer reviewed scientist might not havedone.~ ., ,, .., have done. we appreciate you coming on and exolaining _ have done. we appreciate you coming on and explaining your _ have done. we appreciate you coming on and explaining your perspective, . on and explaining your perspective, thank you very much. from embaye chris bond and yogita limaye reports. khurram parvez is a very well—known activist in kashmir. he runs an organisation was founded in 2004 decades it's been documenting instances of human rights violations by security forces in indian administered kashmir. the nature of the work that it does has put it at odds with notjust the current government in india, but with previous governments. with the current government, however, we have seen to have taken a far more strident approach towards kashmir. in 2019 day revoked the relative autonomy that kashmir enjoyed. thousands of people were put in jail and in detention, communication was shut down, even in the past two years there have been frequent internet shutdowns in the region as to when you talk to locals, they say there is always the fear that someone is going to be picked up and put injailand someone is going to be picked up and put injail and they someone is going to be picked up and put in jail and they see this arrest is the latest in a long list of instances of crackdown on democratic rights in kashmir. we have also seen outrage from global human rights activists who say this is an attempt to suppress the voice of human rights defenders. khurram parvez has been accused of terror funding and conspiracy. what other specific allegations against him or what evidence is there against him, will only be clear when charges are filed against him in court. but the law under which he is charged allows for an individual to be kept injailfor an individual to be kept injailfor a long time. lawyers say it's hard to get recourse to a bail application, for example. he and his family have not yet commented on his arrest. it is 100 days now since the taliban took over in afghanistan and with winter fast approaching it is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis. let us turn to what should be or should have been a happy story from mexico, but it is far from it. parents in southern mexico say they are being threatened by a gang after their children's nursery won $950,000 in a lottery. the tiny nursery in the indigenous village of ocosingo has just over two dozen pupils and their parents were put in charge of administering the prize. they're now sleeping rough to escape the gangs. a number of tickets for what mexico calls its plane lottery were bought by anonymous benefactors and donated to poor schools and nurseries across the country. will grant is in mexico city. so, first of all, how was this system working where anonymous donors giving schools tickets? yes. donors giving schools tickets? yes, it's a bit complex. _ donors giving schools tickets? 12: it's a bit complex. basically the idea was that the president was going to raffle off the plane that belonged to his predecessor. that was criticised as unworkable. what would an ordinary mexican family do with a boeing 747, a presidential jet? so was revised to be a lottery in which there would be, i believe it was 100 prizes of around $1 million each, and a lot of them were bought supposedly by benefactors and ended up going to needy schools around the country. so far, so good, but as you sit in your intro, this one school ended up a beneficiary of it, but it turned very, very ugly. do we even know if the money has been delivered to these parents? 1&5 been delivered to these parents? is far as been delivered to these parents? 23 far as we now, yes, the money did reach the recipients. the problem is, of course, just reveals so much about the security situation in mexico that as soon as it was announced that this tiny village had the best part of $1 million, the local gang basically started putting greater and greater pressure on them to buy them new guns, they ignored that pressure and decided to build a new roof for the school instead, and since then things have become so fierce and so difficult that they have been forced from their homes, they have had to flee their crops and livelihoods and live rough and are appealing to the local government saying that unless this organisation are disbanded and disarmed, they will never be able to go back to their homes. t’m disarmed, they will never be able to go back to their homes.— go back to their homes. i'm sure this is a naive _ go back to their homes. i'm sure this is a naive question, - go back to their homes. i'm sure this is a naive question, but - go back to their homes. i'm sure this is a naive question, but is i go back to their homes. i'm sure this is a naive question, but is it| this is a naive question, but is it beyond the local authorities to provide these families and the school the necessary protection to enjoy the money they have rightfully received? tts enjoy the money they have rightfully received? , ., ., ., ., received? its not naive at all, i think what _ received? its not naive at all, i think what it — received? its not naive at all, i think what it does _ received? its not naive at all, i think what it does is _ received? its not naive at all, i think what it does is it - received? its not naive at all, i think what it does is it reveals | think what it does is it reveals just how much local gangs and local politics are intertwined in mexico. this isn't a well known gang, people have barely heard of them but no doubt the control a lot of things down in the small villages and municipalities and that's the big difficulty these families are facing. difficulty these families are facina. ~ . ~ difficulty these families are facina. ~ ., ~' ,, , difficulty these families are facina. ~ ., ,, , . facing. will, thank you very much indeed. facing. will, thank you very much indeed- let _ facing. will, thank you very much indeed. let us _ facing. will, thank you very much indeed. let us hope _ facing. will, thank you very much indeed. let us hope that - facing. will, thank you very much indeed. let us hope that gets - facing. will, thank you very much i indeed. let us hope that gets sorted out in time. will grant from mexico city. we have heard a speech from president biden looking ahead to the thanks giving holiday in america and specifically addressing the concern there is around the price of petrol in america. it has risen over 50% in the last 12 months. the president says he has spent the last few weeks coordinating a global response to see more oil released from countries' reserves, the uk, korea, japan is in val, china may be involved as well and we know the us will be releasing many hundreds of barrels of oil to try and help ease the price of petrol down. we will have to see if that works. thanks for watching, see you tomorrow, all the best. good evening. some places saw more sunshine than others today. a few spots got stuck with a lot of cloud, mist, and murk. but generally, it was a quiet day compared with some of what is to come. the rest of the week looks colder, rain in the forecast, yes, but some sleet and snow at times, as well, and potentially some stormy weather through friday and into the weekend. things, though, relatively quiet through tonight — quite windy across scotland, and here, we will see outbreaks of rain starting to move in from the northwest, eventually getting into northern ireland, as well. elsewhere, a lot of cloud, some mist and fog patches down towards the south, and temperatures for the majority holding just above freezing — but, if you do see clear skies overhead for any length of time, well, you mayjust get that touch of frost. into tomorrow, this frontal system will be pushing its way south—eastwards, taking outbreaks of rain with it. it is a cold front — as the name suggests, behind the front, the air will be turning colder as a northerly wind develops. ahead of the weather front, a lot of cloud, some mist and fog here and there. ourfrontal system bringing rain southwards across northern england into wales. and then, behind it, for scotland and northern ireland, the skies will brighten — there'll be lots of sunshine but some showers, which will start to turn wintry over ground in scotland, the winds will pick up, and it will start to turn colder from the north. and by thursday, we will all be in the grip of the cold air. a frosty start for many, plenty of sunshine through the day, but some showers especially for coastal areas — some of these wintry over high ground, and potentially to low levels in northern scotland. temperatures staying in the single digits. and then, we get the friday — and this deep area of low pressure is expected to dive its way into the picture. some strong winds and heavy rain, but also crucially, some cold air wrapping into this weather system and, depending onjust how much of this cold air we bring into the mix, well, there's the potential for not only rain, but some sleet and snow to develop. so wet weather pushing southwards, potentially some wintry weather across western areas over higher ground, then to low levels later across northern parts of scotland. it is going to feel cold on friday and it will be windy — particularly windy weather expected on friday night, especially for northern and eastern areas where damaging winds are possible. there's more wintry weather in the forecast, too. it is worth staying tuned with all the details over the next few days. this is bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8pm... people in northern ireland are being asked to work from home "where possible", to help curb the spread of coronavirus. it is about acting now to keep our families safe, it is about acting now to protect our health service and prevent our hospitals from collapsing. in scotland and england, people are now being urged to do a lateral flow test before every social occasion or visit to a crowded place. the couple killed in a somerset village while their two young children slept upstairs have been named as stephen and jennifer chapple. the government has admitted that parliament and the public have been misled about a british airways flight that landed in kuwait, in 1990 during an iraqi invasion. at least 46 people are dead after a coach crashed and burst