simone biles takes bronze on the beam. we'll be live in tokyo with the very latest as team gb climb the medal table. also in the programme... criticism from labour — but praise from the travel industry — as the government abandons plans for an �*amber watchlist�* for trips abroad. and borisjohnson meets the opposition leader of belarus after one of the country's athletes at the olympics sought sanctuary in a foreign embassy. and the container ship thatjammed the suez canalfor six and the container ship thatjammed the suez canal for six days and caused a huge delay to global trade finally arrives in felixstowe. and coming up on the bbc news channel, heartbreak for british sprinter adam gemili after injury forces him to pull out of the 200m.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. team gb are celebrating more medals at the tokyo olympics. there was double gold for britain's sailors: dylan fletcher and stuart bithell claimed victory in the men's 49er class, and giles scott retained his title in the men's finn class. jason kenny gets silver in the men's team sprint and equals the total medal haul of sir bradley wiggins to become thejoint most decorated british olympian; and there was also silver for his wife laura kenny in the women's team pursuit — herfifth olympic medal. meanwhile the american gymnast simone biles — who pulled out of three finals to focus on her mental health — has been back in action, winning bronze in the beam final.

more on all that coming up, but first, daniela relph on britain's sailing triumphs today. are not believable finish. it was a display of dominance on the water for team gb, display of dominance on the water forteam gb, maintaining display of dominance on the water for team gb, maintaining the strong run of success in olympic sailing. the men's 49er was a race that had all the drama of a sprint finish. we are all the drama of a sprint finish. - are going to repeat ourselves, this is a crucial moment.— are going to repeat ourselves, this is a crucial moment. dylan fletcher and stuart bithell _ is a crucial moment. dylan fletcher and stuart bithell had _ is a crucial moment. dylan fletcher and stuart bithell had to _ is a crucial moment. dylan fletcher and stuart bithell had to hold - and stuart bithell had to hold onto their lead and stay away from germany and new zealand in the final chase. flan germany and new zealand in the final chase. . , germany and new zealand in the final chase. ., , .., , germany and new zealand in the final chase. ., , , ., ., chase. can they carry out all the wa to chase. can they carry out all the way to the _ chase. can they carry out all the way to the finish? _ chase. can they carry out all the way to the finish? right - chase. can they carry out all the way to the finish? right on - chase. can they carry out all the way to the finish? right on the l way to the finish? right on the line, great britain when the medal race and with it the gold medal in tokyo 2020. find race and with it the gold medal in tokyo 2020-_ race and with it the gold medal in to 0 2020. �* ., , ., ., .,, tokyo 2020. and that euphoria was shared by the _ tokyo 2020. and that euphoria was shared by the watching _ tokyo 2020. and that euphoria was shared by the watching at _ tokyo 2020. and that euphoria was shared by the watching at home, i shared by the watching at home, miles away. shared by the watching at home, miles away-—

shared by the watching at home, miles away. they were not in gold medal position _ miles away. they were not in gold medal position but _ miles away. they were not in gold medal position but in _ miles away. they were not in gold medal position but in the - miles away. they were not in gold medal position but in the end - miles away. they were not in gold medal position but in the end it i miles away. they were not in gold| medal position but in the end it all turned _ medal position but in the end it all turned out — medal position but in the end it all turned out well.— medal position but in the end it all turned out well. fantastic. the most excitin: turned out well. fantastic. the most exciting race — turned out well. fantastic. the most exciting race i _ turned out well. fantastic. the most exciting race i have _ turned out well. fantastic. the most exciting race i have ever _ turned out well. fantastic. the most exciting race i have ever watched - exciting race i have ever watched him sail — exciting race i have ever watched him sail and _ exciting race i have ever watched him sail and with— exciting race i have ever watched him sail and with the _ exciting race i have ever watched him sail and with the right - exciting race i have ever watched . him sail and with the right outcome as well _ him sail and with the right outcome as well. absolutely— him sail and with the right outcome as well. absolutely delighted. - him sail and with the right outcome as well. absolutely delighted. we l as well. absolutely delighted. we cannot_ as well. absolutely delighted. we cannot believe _ as well. absolutely delighted. we cannot believe it. _ as well. absolutely delighted. we cannot believe it. all— as well. absolutely delighted. we cannot believe it. all these - as well. absolutely delighted. wei cannot believe it. all these years, since _ cannot believe it. all these years, since he _ cannot believe it. all these years, since he was _ cannot believe it. all these years, since he was 12, _ cannot believe it. all these years, since he was 12, and _ cannot believe it. all these years, since he was 12, and he— cannot believe it. all these years, since he was 12, and he had- cannot believe it. all these years, since he was 12, and he had hit. cannot believe it. all these years, | since he was 12, and he had hit the top slot _ since he was 12, and he had hit the top slot and — since he was 12, and he had hit the ton slot and we _ since he was 12, and he had hit the top slot and we are _ since he was 12, and he had hit the top slot and we are absolutely- top slot and we are absolutely delighted _ top slot and we are absolutely deliahted. , , ., ., delighted. giles scott, the world number eight — delighted. giles scott, the world number eightjust _ delighted. giles scott, the world number eight just needs - delighted. giles scott, the world number eight just needs to - delighted. giles scott, the world | number eightjust needs to finish delighted. giles scott, the world i number eightjust needs to finish in the top of. he number eight 'ust needs to finish in the to of. ~' ., ., ., the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend _ the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend his _ the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend his title _ the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend his title in _ the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend his title in the - the top of. he knew what he had to do to defend his title in the firm . do to defend his title in the finn class and giles scott left it to the end to push through.— end to push through. giles scott ri . ht at end to push through. giles scott right at the _ end to push through. giles scott right at the last _ end to push through. giles scott right at the last moment - end to push through. giles scott| right at the last moment crosses end to push through. giles scott - right at the last moment crosses the line! the points are on his side and giles scott at the line holds on to the gold medal. for giles scott at the line holds on to the gold medal.— giles scott at the line holds on to the gold medal. for giles scott... a watery celebration _ the gold medal. for giles scott... a watery celebration as _ the gold medal. for giles scott... a watery celebration as he _ the gold medal. for giles scott... a watery celebration as he confirmed | watery celebration as he confirmed his place as one of the greatest ever sailors in great britain. cheering and applause. there was anotherfamily cheering and applause. there was another family celebrating and a quick chance to save their own congratulations. {30 quick chance to save their own congratulations.— quick chance to save their own congratulations. go and celebrate,

ou are congratulations. go and celebrate, you are amazing — congratulations. go and celebrate, you are amazing and _ congratulations. go and celebrate, you are amazing and we _ congratulations. go and celebrate, you are amazing and we love - congratulations. go and celebrate, you are amazing and we love you. | congratulations. go and celebrate, l you are amazing and we love you. it is a first _ you are amazing and we love you. it is a first for— you are amazing and we love you. it is a first for us, she never watches his racing — is a first for us, she never watches his racing and for her to put yourself— his racing and for her to put yourself through that is awesome and we can— yourself through that is awesome and we can only— yourself through that is awesome and we can onlyjust say thank you for delivering — we can onlyjust say thank you for delivering in the end, although as he said. _ delivering in the end, although as he said. at— delivering in the end, although as he said, at least you did not have a heart _ he said, at least you did not have a heart attack — he said, at least you did not have a heart attack. he he said, at least you did not have a heart attack-— he said, at least you did not have a heart attack. he managed to regain and that is really _ heart attack. he managed to regain and that is really good. _ heart attack. he managed to regain and that is really good. i _ heart attack. he managed to regain and that is really good. i have - and that is really good. i have watched — and that is really good. i have watched quite _ and that is really good. i have watched quite a _ and that is really good. i have watched quite a few— and that is really good. i have watched quite a few starts - and that is really good. i have watched quite a few starts on| and that is really good. i have . watched quite a few starts on the racecourse — watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but _ watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but not _ watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but not with - watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but not with him - watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but not with him in. watched quite a few starts on the. racecourse but not with him in the fleet _ racecourse but not with him in the fleet g— racecourse but not with him in the fleet. �* , ., racecourse but not with him in the fleet. m ., , ., ., . racecourse but not with him in the fleet. �* , ., , ., ., . ., fleet. a strong performance from john gibson... _ fleet. a strong performance from john gibson... the _ fleet. a strong performance from john gibson... the scores - fleet. a strong performance from john gibson... the scores are - john gibson... the scores are collected _ john gibson. .. the scores are collected over— john gibson... the scores are collected over a _ john gibson. .. the scores are collected over a number- john gibson... the scores are collected over a number of i john gibson... the scores are - collected over a number of rounds and this sale was enough to get anna burnet and john gibson a silver medal. it puts team gb at the top of the medal table in sailing with the prospect of more tomorrow. daniela relph, bbc news. cyclist jason kenny's success makes him britain's most successful olympian of all time — alongside sir bradley wiggins. and there's been more success for team gb today: there was silver for pat mccormack in boxing, and bronze forjack law in diving. on the track meanwhile there an extraordinary win

for norway's karsten warholm, who smashed his own world record in the men's a00m hurdles. andy swiss was watching. chasing a place in history, jason kenny, alongsidejack carlin and ryan owen is going for team sprint glory. britain had won the event at the past three games but this time in the final it was not to be. jason kenn , in the final it was not to be. jason kenny, straining _ in the final it was not to be. jason kenny, straining every _ in the final it was not to be. jason kenny, straining every sinew- in the final it was not to be. jason kenny, straining every sinew in i kenny, straining every sinew in pursuit of the medal but it is gold for the netherlands. still pursuit of the medal but it is gold for the netherlands.— for the netherlands. still silver thou:h for the netherlands. still silver though and _ for the netherlands. still silver though and for— for the netherlands. still silver though and for kenny - for the netherlands. still silver though and for kenny that - for the netherlands. still silver l though and for kenny that meant for the netherlands. still silver - though and for kenny that meant a place in the record books, his eighth olympic medal, six gold, making him briton's most decorated olympian. it making him briton's most decorated ol mian. , ., , olympian. it gets harder every time, ou do olympian. it gets harder every time, you do your — olympian. it gets harder every time, you do your first _ olympian. it gets harder every time, you do your first olympics _ olympian. it gets harder every time, you do your first olympics and - olympian. it gets harder every time, you do your first olympics and you i you do your first olympics and you -et you do your first olympics and you get caught— you do your first olympics and you get caught up in the momentum and to repeat— get caught up in the momentum and to repeat it _ get caught up in the momentum and to repeat it and _ get caught up in the momentum and to repeat it and then having to do it again— repeat it and then having to do it again and — repeat it and then having to do it again and again, it does get harder, to he _ again and again, it does get harder,

to he fair~ _ again and again, it does get harder, to be fair. ., ., , to be fair. earlier there was another medal _ to be fair. earlier there was another medal for - to be fair. earlier there was another medal for laura i to be fair. earlier there was i another medal for laura kenny to be fair. earlier there was _ another medal for laura kenny as she took silver in the team pursuit alongside katie archibald and juicy night. forfifth olympic alongside katie archibald and juicy night. for fifth olympic medal as the family tally continues to grow. there was another british medal in the box and, although not the colour pat mccormack was hoping for. the 26—year—old from sunderland is the current commonwealth champion but after being edged out in the welterweight final by his cuban competitor he had to settle for olympic silver. in the diving, meanwhile, there was success for jack laugher after winning bronze in the springboard he revealed he had considered retiring because of mental health issues. this means so much, he said. mental health issues. this means so much. he said-— mental health issues. this means so much, he said. simone biles is back. in the gymnastics, _ much, he said. simone biles is back. in the gymnastics, the _ much, he said. simone biles is back. in the gymnastics, the return - much, he said. simone biles is back. in the gymnastics, the return of - much, he said. simone biles is back. in the gymnastics, the return of a i in the gymnastics, the return of a sporting superstar, one week after withdrawing from competition to focus on her mental health, simone biles was back for the final of the bame and back to near her best. that was enough to put her into the lead

and while she later slipped down to bronze, her olympics ended with an emotional comeback and another medal. in the athletics, there was agony for another british hope, adam gemili pulling up in his 200m heat and he later revealed he had injured himself in the warm up and his pain was all too clear. i himself in the warm up and his pain was all too clear.— was all too clear. i 'ust felt my hamstring h was all too clear. i 'ust felt my hamstring go h was all too clear. i 'ust felt my hamstring go and _ was all too clear. i 'ust felt my hamstring go and i- was all too clear. ijust felt my hamstring go and i was - was all too clear. ijust felt my hamstring go and i was in - was all too clear. ijust felt my hamstring go and i was in so i was all too clear. ijust felt my - hamstring go and i was in so much pain. i asked to have it strapped up and to go out there to at least try. you have to try. and... yeah. but elsewhere — you have to try. and... yeah. but elsewhere perhaps the performance of these games. in the 400 metres hurdles final, karsten warholm ripped up the record books. he is auoin to ripped up the record books. he is going to go _ ripped up the record books. he is going to go and _ ripped up the record books. he is going to go and take _ ripped up the record books. he is going to go and take the - ripped up the record books. he: 3 going to go and take the win, it is gold for norway, 45 dot 94. the norwegian _ gold for norway, 45 dot 94. the norwegian smashing his own world record by the best part of a second,

leaving commentators reaching for the superlatives. that performance b karsten the superlatives. that performance by karsten warholm _ the superlatives. that performance by karsten warholm is _ the superlatives. that performance by karsten warholm is possibly - the superlatives. that performance by karsten warholm is possibly thej by karsten warholm is possibly the best i have ever seen. i by karsten warholm is possibly the best i have ever seen.— best i have ever seen. i cannot believe the _ best i have ever seen. i cannot believe the time, _ best i have ever seen. i cannot believe the time, i _ best i have ever seen. i cannot believe the time, i have - best i have ever seen. i cannot believe the time, i have been l best i have ever seen. i cannot - believe the time, i have been asked about— believe the time, i have been asked about the _ believe the time, i have been asked about the perfect race and i said it did not— about the perfect race and i said it did not exist, but this is the closest _ did not exist, but this is the closest thing i have ever done. a time closest thing i have ever done. time and a talent to go down in olympic history. andy swiss, bbc news. i've been getting reaction to team gb�*s performance in the cycling from the former olympic champion, sir chris hoy. i asked him whether there was disappointment that it was silver, not gold, for the team today. i think there are mixed emotions today. the men's team sprint will be delighted with the silver medal, the dutch team were the hot favourites for that event, but for the women team pursuit, laura kenny, katie archibald and their team—mates they were hoping for the gold medal and they were the hot favourites but the german team broke the world record and were in a different class today.

jason kenny equals the total medal haul of sir bradley wiggins to become britain's most decorated olympian, how impressive is that? it is hugely impressive and i think thatjason does is hugely impressive and i think that jason does not get enough credit. he has shown longevity, he has shown the ability to cope with pressure and i think he has isjust an understated guy who does not seek any limelight but we should be giving him more plaudits for the amazing achievements he has had three his career and there is hopefully more to come in the ciaran and possibly even the sprint. if he and possibly even the sprint. if he lets one and possibly even the sprint. if he gets one more — and possibly even the sprint. if he gets one more gold, _ and possibly even the sprint. if he gets one more gold, he surpasses your total haul of gold medals. yeah, he has really surpassed me already with the extra silver medal and i will give him that. it is amazing to have seen his career, he came on the team shortly before the 2008 beijing olympics as this freshfaced youngster who took the responsibility on the pressure on his shoulders so well and he has gone from strength to strength since then and i am proud to be a friend

of his and to watch him and to have one of your mates take your record, it is not as bad as that, could be somebody else, i am really pleased for him. is somebody else, i am really pleased for him. , �* , somebody else, i am really pleased forhim. m , ., somebody else, i am really pleased forhim. n , for him. is british cycling do you think is good — for him. is british cycling do you think is good as _ for him. is british cycling do you think is good as it _ for him. is british cycling do you think is good as it ever - for him. is british cycling do you think is good as it ever was - for him. is british cycling do you think is good as it ever was or. for him. is british cycling do you | think is good as it ever was or are other nations catching up? i think is good as it ever was or are other nations catching up?- other nations catching up? i think british cycling _ other nations catching up? i think british cycling has _ other nations catching up? i think british cycling has played - other nations catching up? i think british cycling has played better l british cycling has played better thanit british cycling has played better than it ever was and the performances are getting better, they are setting personal bests, they are setting personal bests, they are setting personal bests, they are going faster than they have ever gone before, it isjust they are going faster than they have ever gone before, it is just that other countries are catching up on raising the bar and in some going quicker. you look at the women's team pursuit, that was one of our banker events, one of the events we expected to win golden and it was a surprise that germany have brought that incredible performance to these games and other events like the men's team pursuit, the men's team sprint, the danish team, the dutch team, they have gone to a new level, it is up to britain to respond, but on the whole, if you look at the way that they have kind of invested in other parts of the sport as well, we have a gold medal on the momentum back in, two goals in bmx and there

are more medals to come, it is perhaps not the dominance we have seenin perhaps not the dominance we have seen in the last three or four olympic games.— seen in the last three or four olympic games. seen in the last three or four ol mic games. ., ., ,, ., olympic games. good to talk to you, thank ou olympic games. good to talk to you, thank you for— olympic games. good to talk to you, thank you for your _ olympic games. good to talk to you, thank you for your time. _ olympic games. good to talk to you, thank you for your time. thank - olympic games. good to talk to you, thank you for your time. thank you. | let's cross now to tokyo and our sports correspondent, natalie pirks. what can we expect on the track later? a lot of interest for team gb in the women's 800 metres. yes. later? a lot of interest for team gb in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is cominu in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is coming up. — in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is coming up. that— in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is coming up, that final _ in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is coming up, that final in _ in the women's 800 metres. yes, that is coming up, that final in around - is coming up, that final in around one hour. it is the first time in 41 years that britain has had three female athletes in an athletics final, not since 2004 with dame kelly holmes britain had a medal in this race and there are high hopes. the reigning olympic champion caster semenya is not here because of her well—publicised legal row over testosterone levels and the three that team gb has high hopes for our jemma reekie, british woman over this distance of all time, alex bell who qualified

quickest of the three brits in the final and 19—year—old keely hodgkinson who could spring a surprise, the european indoor. it is also the women's 200 metre final and we should see some lightning quick times again because we have seen olympic and world records and i am keeping an eye out, because karsten warholm hasjust keeping an eye out, because karsten warholm has just got his gold medal after that 400 metre hurdles and that lightning quick world record that lightning quick world record that we saw that lit up the stadium and that is because world athletics have confirmed that this track is the fastest they have ever made, the designer believes it can add a one to 2% advantage and that is why we are seeing so many quick races, it is like bouncing on a trampoline when they are running and if they do manage to catch him during our time, we will grab him for a quick chat. keep your eye out, it us talk about team gb, another couple of gold medals in the sailing, climbing up the medal table, how do you assess their performance in this olympics compared to previous olympics? this

compared to previous olympics? sis you compared to previous olympics? is you say, climbing up the medal table currently in fifth place with 13 gold medals and 16 silver medals and 13 bronze medals, that gives us 42 and their minimum medal target for these games was 45 and they are well on track to beat that. there have been some notable disappointments if you look at rowing, just the two medals there, no gold medals, worst performances at an olympics for 49 years and in athletics it has not been going that well, dean asher—smith a notable absentee from the 200m, because of her hamstring injury, she has been struggling. there have been some absolutely magical moments in the swimming, their best olympics in history, in their best olympics in history, in the bmx, first—time olympians, four events and four medals, two gold medals. there is still time for team gb to pick up plenty more medals,

with more track cycling to come, team gb is guaranteed medals in the boxing, it will be nigh on impossible to match the 67 medals from rio, 27 of those four gold medals and i don't think that will happen but there were 51 medals in beijing and they could be on track for that. given what has happened and what we have all been through in the last 18 months, it has had a huge impact on athletes, a lot of competitions were cancelled, they have not been able to test themselves against the rest of the world, to know where they were out, given what is happening, i think team gb is in a good place right now and should be incredibly happy. thank you so much. natalie pirks for us in tokyo. our top story this lunchtime. team gb sailed to victory with dylan fletcher and stuart bithell in the men's 49er and giles scott in the finn class.

jason kenny becomes briton's most decorated olympian of all time the silver in the sprint. coming up on the bbc news channel: a bronze in the diving for team gb's jack laugh. the yorkshireman took third place behind a china one, two, in the three metre springboard final. labour says the government's policy on international travel is in �*total chaos,�* after proposals for a new amber watchlist were abandoned. the list would have allowed holidaymakers to see which countries were in danger of being put on the government's red list, which would mean having to quarantine in a hotel on their return. travel firms opposed the idea, but the government has denied it's made a u—turn. tony bonsignore reports. holiday—makers want to go. the travel industry wants to take them stop the problem is there are

concerns over covid cases in countries like spain and greece. the idea of an amber watchlist was to warn travellers about those countries currently on the amber list but are in danger of turning red. if that happens, it would mean. stay in a quarantine hotel at the travel�*s own expense. the idea was discussed by ministers but has now been ditched. brute discussed by ministers but has now been ditched.— discussed by ministers but has now been ditched. we have looked at the vafious been ditched. we have looked at the various options. _ been ditched. we have looked at the various options. on _ been ditched. we have looked at the various options. on balance - been ditched. we have looked at the various options. on balance we - been ditched. we have looked at thej various options. on balance we think the system has to be simple enough. it is difficult to tread a careful balance but that is what we are trying to do. we get want to open up travel. �* , . , travel. airlines are relieved. it is a victory for _ travel. airlines are relieved. it is a victory for common-sense. - travel. airlines are relieved. it is| a victory for common-sense. the travel. airlines are relieved. it is - a victory for common-sense. the last a victory for common—sense. the last thing _ a victory for common—sense. the last thing we _ a victory for common—sense. the last thing we needed was category and a traffic— thing we needed was category and a traffic light system. passengers need _ traffic light system. passengers need as— traffic light system. passengers need as much clarity as possible. they— need as much clarity as possible. they need — need as much clarity as possible. they need to know they are not facing _ they need to know they are not facing will — they need to know they are not facing will changes overnight. labour— facing will changes overnight. labour is _ facing will changes overnight. labour is calling for more transparency.— labour is calling for more

transparency. labour is calling for more transaren . . _ , , transparency. the current system is not fit for purpose. _ transparency. the current system is not fit for purpose. we _ transparency. the current system is not fit for purpose. we have - transparency. the current system is not fit for purpose. we have seen i not fit for purpose. we have seen that in no way portugal was treated in france was treated where they created a new category for the amber nest. that creates more confusion and means the travelling public does not have confidence to book ahead. what we have been calling for is a simple system that says it is either safe to go and should be on the greenest or not safe to go which means ought to be on the red list. this latest row comes amid an intense debate in government over international travel. many are cautious but others are making it known they want to open up more quickly to protectjobs. a difficult balance for the government to strike. the next big announcement will come in the next you days when we get the latest update to the travel list. the decision many holiday—makers will be following closely. tony bonsignore, bbc news. borisjohnson is meeting the opposition leader of belarus, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, in downing street to discuss human rights.

their talks come a day after one of the country's olympic athletes sought sanctuary in tokyo, after defying orders to fly home early because she feared for her safety. the opposition in belarus has faced a brutal crackdown since president lukashenko's disputed re—election a year ago. richard galpin reports. in the midst of the olympics, a different drama playing out. this athlete from belarus, krystsina tsimanouskaya, now in her second day taking sanctuary here in the polish embassy. the international olympic committee said this morning she was in good spirits. she reassured us once again she is feeling safe and secure. i believe there is a call going on this morning with her as well. together with the relevant authorities and the competent organisations, she is planning herfuture. opposition activists in belarus say no—one who speaks out against the repressive belarus

government is safe, not even olympic athletes. the belarus president, alexander lukashenko, who has been in powerfor 27 years has been ruthless in suppressing any dissent in the country. those who try to protest face beatings and arrest by the authorities. it has led to many leaving the country. today, the belarus opposition leader, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, has been holding talks with the prime minister here in downing street. in another development today, belarus activist, vitaly shishov, has been found dead in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. he'd been hanged here in this park. it's reported belarus special forces were in the area. richard galpin, bbc news.

government forces in afghanistan are battling to stop the taliban from taking control of lashkar gah, the capital of helmand province, where british troops were stationed for many years. the militants are reported to have captured most of the city. the taliban's assault in helmand is part of a major offensive across the country following the departure of american troops. our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, is in the capital, kabul. fierce fighting in helmand province where so many british troops lost their lives in the fight against the taliban. , , ., ., ., , taliban. yes, these are not images that would be _ taliban. yes, these are not images that would be easy _ taliban. yes, these are not images that would be easy to _ taliban. yes, these are not images that would be easy to see four- that would be easy to see four british soldiers on the same streets where they patrolled four years in the berries. they are now overrun by taliban fighters. some of the major squares in the city, the taliban had been filming themselves there. the latest images to emerge from this

besieged capital of helmand province is of the police headquarters coming under assault also the taliban is trying to attack the prison to free some of the inmates. the afghan special forces, some of the inmates. the afghan specialforces, who had been helicoptered into reinforce the forces on the ground are also being backed up by afghan warplanes in the skies which had been also bombing targets in the city trying push the taliban back. in the us as well, in the last weeks of the us nato led military mission, the 20 year long mission, the united states is also using its air power to try to support afghan forces. this is a really, really tough fight. as you mentioned, most of helmand province many districts across rural afghanistan and now in taliban hands. in the city of lashkar gar,

it is in afghan hands. they are desperate to seize a provincial capital to get them notjust territory but a psychological boost. the word from afghan forces is the war is not over yet. borisjohnson has said �*levelling up�* the poorest parts of the uk should start with tackling crime. one of the areas worst—affected is rhyl in north wales, where serious violence rose for four years until the first coronavirus lockdown. the town has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in wales, and is hoping to win new government funding. our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan, has been to visit. weekend patrol in the most violent neighbourhood in wales. he said he was going to punch me. i did not step forward.

we're not getting anywhere now. as covid restrictions ease, there is fear here, as elsewhere, that serious crime will increase. cutting crime is the centrepiece of the government�*s efforts to reduce regional inequalities. doing so here in rhyl is not straightforward. tackling crime doesn�*tjust mean flooding the area with extra police officers. for me it would be using the levelling up money to tackle the underlying causes of crime. rhyl, and certainly the town centre and the west part of rhyl does have long—standing issues with unemployment. for me, those issues of social deprivation are inextricably linked to the violent crime issues that we have. violent crime for a long time in rhyl was linked to the night—time economy. assaults and beatings and stabbings, a consequence of drinking too much, often at the weekend. in recent years, the nature of violence here has changed dramatically. natasha harper has intimate knowledge of crime locally. not only does she hear about it through her charity work, she was a victim of domestic abuse herself. there was beatings, theft

of jewellery to self for drink. —— sell for drink. lots of emotional abuse. broken bones, cuts. he was standing over me with a chair and i knew if i couldn�*t get away he would have killed me. natasha�*s charity delivers furniture to those in need. this time, another woman fleeing domestic abuse, which is a major driver of crime in rhyl. violence however is also being imported to the town. this car chase ended with the murder of a local man as gangs from nearby cities fought for control of rhyl�*s drug trade. crime just gives the place a bad name and reputational issue, isn�*t it, for us all. that�*s probably been one of the key barriers we�*ve had to address in terms of getting the private sector and getting confidence in the town of rhyl. millions of pounds have been spent in recent years, reviving rhyl�*s tourist facilities. the challenge now is to make the town an attractive place to live and work, notjust visit.

michael buchanan, bbc news, rhyl. chinese authorities are carrying out covid tests on 11 million people in wuhan, the chinese city where coronavirus first emerged in 2019. seven cases of the delta variant have been discovered there. our correspondent in beijing is stephen mcdonell. the authorities clearly worried. this is a massive testing programme. imagine being a resident of wuhan. this is a city that had the world�*s first coronavirus lockdown, a very tough lockdown that enabled them to get rid of the virus. now, thanks to the delta variant, the virus has come back. residents are being told not to panic but they are also being told not to leave the province and that everybody in that city, 11 million people, will be tested for

the virus. this is not the first city with massive testing in this most recent outbreak. in another province, the residents have had three rounds of testing already. that is where the outbreak started. this is not because the authorities are worried about the raw numbers which are not that, not even 100 new cases today, it is the spread of the cases today, it is the spread of the cases that has them worried stop dozens of places across the country all have infections and so china with its elimination strategy has brought in tough transport restrictions in some communities, lockdown, lots of track and trace with a to bringing the country back to zero cases by next february in time for the winter olympics. the big question is, can the chinese authorities deal with the delta virus outbreak in the same way it has been able to deal with the other

outbreaks? . ~ has been able to deal with the other outbreaks? ., ,, , ., the giant container ship that blocked the suez canal earlier this year has finally arrived in felixstowe. the ever given got stuck for a week in march, leaving hundreds of ships queuing behind it, and causing huge delays to the delivery of goods. our correspondent, theo leggett, is at the port. it has been quite a journey. it it has been quite a journey. it has. it has been quite a “ourney. it has. this is it has been quite a “ourney. it has. this is the _ it has been quite a “ourney. it has. this is the end — it has been quite a “ourney. it has. this is the end of — it has been quite a journey. it has. this is the end of a _ it has been quite a journey. it has. this is the end of a very _ it has been quite a journey. it has. this is the end of a very long - this is the end of a very long journey. as you say, the ever given started out from ports in east asia months ago and then it reached the silicon out in march. it was not off—course, ran aground and blocked one of the world�*s busiest shipping lanes for the best part of the week six days, and stranded hundreds of vessels outside the entrances to the canal. it had incredible knock—on effects to the shipping industry which we rely on for 90% of our goods. now the ship has been released from being impounded in the

silicon out while egyptian authorities try to get station. it sailed back to europe, i loaded a number of containers at rotterdam last week and in a couple of hours�* time we should see it sailing and more up in one of the births behind me. the stranding of the ever given happened at their worst possible time for the shipping industry, which was already suffering from covid. it led sorts of knock—on delays from other vessels and congestion imports. that is what we�*re seeing in the shipping industry in general. shipping rates have gone up. importers cannot expect to pay £15,000 for a container, whereas this time last year they have been paying £2500. people are getting ingots for the christmas period. they are wondering whether to order the goods now and take losses or weight. if they order now the price increases will come to

us as a consumer. although one story is coming to an end, the ever given will get rid of her remaining containers and go for repairs, the knock—on effect of what has gone on in the shipping industry is still very much with us. time for a look at the weather. another hint of autumn in the air. down 22—macro degrees in north york and cumbria with mist and patches around. pleasantly warm sunny spells. still a few downpours to dodge. this is the latest rainfall picture. there have been a few showers around already. most places are going to stay dry. a few showers getting going through central, eastern and southern parts of england. one or to thunder are possible. if you popping up in northern ireland. they are brighter than yesterday and a scattering of showers in the north and west of