this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. fears of a humanitarian crisis grow as fierce fighting continues in afghanistan. hardline ibrahim raisi is installed as iran's new president. he's pledged seek an end to us sanctions. the belarus sprinter at the centre of an olympic row with her own government speaks out after arriving safely in poland. my grandmother called me and she say to me, "please don't come back to belarus," and that was reason why i go to the police. one of the world's best—known footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona, the club where he's spent his entire career. we'll have all the latest from the olympics, including steven gardiner�*s win for the bahamas. he's taken gold in the men's 400 metres race.

we start in afghanistan, where fierce fighting has been raging in several provincial capitals. the afghan army is fighting back in crowded neighbourhoods, and all this putting more and more civilians in danger. herat in the west of the country is one of two provincial capitals being targetted by the militants there's been similar being targetted by the militants. there's been similar intense fighting in laskar gar in the south, with large parts of that city under the taliban's control. local people say dead bodies are lying in the streets. we have exclusive pictures from herat inside one of the cities being besieged by the taliban. this footage is from the photo—journalist masood husseini, one of the few journalists still inside herat. these pictures were filmed in the last 48 hours. he and other media who are there have been told to evacuate as soon as they can.

as the fighting escalates fears are growing of a massive humanitarian crisis. let's talk to ryan crocker, former us ambassador to afghanistan. mr ambassador, thank you so much for joining us. does the united states have a moral responsibility for the humanitarian crisis affecting afghanistan millions?- humanitarian crisis affecting afghanistan millions? well, there is -len afghanistan millions? well, there is [en of afghanistan millions? well, there is plenty of moral— afghanistan millions? well, there is plenty of moral responsibility - afghanistan millions? well, there is plenty of moral responsibility to - afghanistan millions? well, there is plenty of moral responsibility to go l plenty of moral responsibility to go around. the united states owns a large share of it. we are now trying to evacuate those who assisted and it's directly, mainly interpreters, but there are many thousands of millions of others who will not be evacuated that we supported. the women and girls of afghanistan, we urged them to go to school and go to university and join government, to found companies, tojoin the

military. they stepped forward and we have their backs, except we don't any more because we got tired of it all and wanted to go home. well, they are home and they are going to pay a fearful price, as will so many millions of others. this is awful moving forward.— millions of others. this is awful moving forward. should they have trusted you _ moving forward. should they have trusted you wouldn't _ moving forward. should they have trusted you wouldn't you - moving forward. should they have trusted you wouldn't you urge - moving forward. should they have i trusted you wouldn't you urge them to go to school?— to go to school? well, we shouldn't have trusted _ to go to school? well, we shouldn't have trusted ourselves. _ to go to school? well, we shouldn't have trusted ourselves. a _ to go to school? well, we shouldn't have trusted ourselves. a problem | have trusted ourselves. a problem for the united states, notjust in afghanistan or right now, has been our lack of stating power. we're happy to intervene, but not so happy to remain for happy to intervene, but not so happy to remainforan happy to intervene, but not so happy to remain for an indefinite period for the kinds of social changes that produce long—term stability to take place. we get tired, we get distracted and we go home. that is

what our allies have come to fear and that is what our adversaries have come to hope for. the taliban said "you americans may have the watches, but we have the time." you set america — watches, but we have the time." you set america get _ watches, but we have the time." you set america get tired and distracted but the president would say it's different. he said recently he cannot send more americans to die in afghanistan. cannot send more americans to die in afghanistan-— afghanistan. well, not if they do the maths- _ afghanistan. well, not if they do the maths. we _ afghanistan. well, not if they do the maths. we have _ afghanistan. well, not if they do the maths. we have had - afghanistan. well, not if they do the maths. we have had about i afghanistan. well, not if they do - the maths. we have had about 3500 troops in afghanistan for around the last year, maybe a little less. we have had no combat. none, zero. so, i don't quite see the death machine the president feared sending our troops into. hejust didn't

the president feared sending our troops into. he just didn't want to do afghanistan any more. of step, as the president is finding out, you don't end the war by withdrawing forces. others are more determined, more than ruthless and more patient. do you expect the taliban to retake the whole country? i do you expect the taliban to retake the whole country?— the whole country? i think it's auoin to the whole country? i think it's going to be — the whole country? i think it's going to be worse. _ the whole country? i think it's going to be worse. i _ the whole country? i think it's going to be worse. i think - the whole country? i think it's i going to be worse. i think we're seeing the opening of another afghan civil war. we've already seen the statements on the ground from minorities. the northern alliance never really went away. that was the element that held the northeast part of afghanistan against the taliban. they never had complete control of the country. well, they're back too. we won't see a taliban victory,

we're going to see something worse. we will see another vicious afghan war. ., ~' we will see another vicious afghan war. ., ~ , ., we will see another vicious afghan war. ., ~ i. we will see another vicious afghan war. ., ~ . we will see another vicious afghan war-_ thanks i we will see another vicious afghan l war._ thanks for war. thank you so much. thanks for our war. thank you so much. thanks for your interest- _ the belarusian athlete krystina timannovskaya says she's �*happy to be in safety�* in poland, after arriving in the country from tokyo. she'd been competing in the olympics, when coaches forced her to pack her bags and tried to put her on a flight back to belarus. she told the bbc she was afraid to go back, and has now been granted a humanitarian visa by the polish government. she's been speaking to the bbc�*s bethany bell about her experiences over the last few days. tired, but happy to be safe in poland. krystina timanovskaya arrived in warsaw from japan via vienna last night. the belarusian athlete has been given a polish humanitarian visa after fears for her safety. while she was at the olympic games in tokyo, the sprinter criticised her coaches on instagram when they entered her into a race without her knowledge. her coaches threatened her

with problems at home unless she left japan immediately. they also come to my room and they say that i have no chance to run 200 metres and i should come back to home and it's not their decision, it's theirjobs to do it. and when i pick out my clothes and go to the car, my grandmother, she calls me and she says, "you can't come back to home because on the tv, they say a lot of bad words about you." today, the ioc says it's still waiting to speak to belarusian team officials. speaking to the bbc, krystina says she now regrets her emotional tone, but not her action. now it's so dangerous for me. i don't know when i can come back to home. i love my country, so i wanted to come back to home. belarus is ruled by president alexander lukashenko, the man often described as europe's last dictator. the opposition politician pavel latushko says krystina is one of many belarusians

to suffer repression. she's only one example of this level of repression in belarus. more than 40,000 belarusian people during last year were arrested on political reasons. krystina says she's not political and hasn't taken part in anti—government protests. it's been a tumultuous few days for krystina. her life has been turned upside down, and she can't go home. she says she wants to continue her sporting career here in poland, but most of all, right now she says she wants to run. krystina's husband fled to ukraine and is now on his way tojoin her in poland. her parents are still back at home in belarus. no—one knows when they'll be able to meet again. bethany bell, bbc news, warsaw. the hardline cleric ibrahim raisi has been sworn in

as iran's new president. he's said he'll back diplomatic moves to lift us sanctions, but won't bow to pressure. here he is giving a speech at the inauguration ceremony, which was held at iran's parliament. president raisi has promised to restore trust in government and get crippling international sanctions removed. but what do we know about the man himself? his conservative views were forged in childhood. he started attending a seminary in the holy city of qom when he was just 15. as a student, he took part in protests against the western—backed shah, who was toppled during the 1979 islamic revolution. mr raisi embarked on a legal career serving as tehran's prosecutor and later went on to become the head of iran'sjudiciary, and has denied allegations he was involved in the executions of political prisoners in the 1980s. i'm joined now by karim sadjadpour, who is a policy analyst at the carnegie endowment for international peace in washington, dc.

if the west rings him, will he pick up if the west rings him, will he pick up the phone?— if the west rings him, will he pick up the phone? if the west rings him, will he pick u- the hone? ~ , ., ., up the phone? well, we first have to be clear, up the phone? well, we first have to be clear. the — up the phone? well, we first have to be clear, the power— up the phone? well, we first have to be clear, the power and _ up the phone? well, we first have to be clear, the power and iran - up the phone? well, we first have to be clear, the power and iran doesn't| be clear, the power and iran doesn't lie with president raisi. it still lies with the supreme leader. i still think his views are similar to the supreme leader and believes that islamic republic's identity is opposition to the united states and israel. we shouldn't expect any meaningful changes from tehran white the supreme leader is 82 years old. , thejob held before was president. is ibrahim raisi being lined up to be the next supreme leader? certainly, the supreme leader views raisi as a loyal acolyte and someone who could potentially carry the mantle once he dies. he is 82 years

old. that said, my sent is that raisi is already starting his presidency in a difficult position __ my presidency in a difficult position —— my sense. inheriting tensions, pandemic and what little popularity he has is only going to be diminished. it's unclear whether ayatollah drop dead two years from now, raisi would be anointed his successor. now, raisi would be anointed his successor-— now, raisi would be anointed his successor. , , ., , successor. the supreme leader is the ultimate person _ successor. the supreme leader is the ultimate person in _ successor. the supreme leader is the ultimate person in charge. _ successor. the supreme leader is the ultimate person in charge. what - successor. the supreme leader is the ultimate person in charge. what in i ultimate person in charge. what in iran does a president actually do? the president is more the ceremonial role on one hand. on the other hand, there's a model of government which is an officialfor the there's a model of government which is an official for the supreme leader, and that the supreme leader wields power without accountability and the president has accountability without power. in many ways, the president of iran has taken the

blame for the country to's political, economic and social malaise. ibrahim raisi is down to take the blame for a lot of this. karim sadjadpour, thanks so much for joining us. karim sadjadpour, thanks so much for “oininr us. ., ~ karim sadjadpour, thanks so much for “oininr us. . ,, i. let's look at some of the day's other news. the israeli air force says it has carried out attacks in southern lebanon for the first time in seven years. the israelis said theirjets targeted what they called sites used for terror. lebanon has condemned the air raids. two of russia's most prominent independent news outlets are closing in the face of a government clampdown. mbk media and open media are both linked to the london—based former tycoon mikhail khodorkovsky. president biden has announced that hong kong residents who are currently in the united states will be granted a temporary safe haven. in a statement, the american president said china had continued what he called an "assault" on hong kong's autonomy and had undermined its remaining freedoms. wildfires continue to burn out of control in south eastern europe and turkey. the greek prime minister, kyriakos mitsotakis says

the wildfires have plunged his country into an unprecedented environmental crisis. and a fire that has raged for more than a week in turkey has reached a thermal power station on the aegean coast. mark lobel reports. one step closer to safety. seeking refuge from wildfires in turkey's south west, hundreds forced into journeys like this just to stay afloat. here's the epicentre of concern. a thermal power plant storing thousands of tonnes of coal. authorities desperately trying to contain it and remove chemicals, coal and other flammable materials. they say its main units are not seriously damaged. are not seriously damaged, despite being part of the worst wildfires in the country's history, according to the president. translation: as we continue our efforts on the eighth day, - for example, today we have

faced a a power plant. hopefully we will get over this before it spreads entirely. there have been dozens of places across turkey's south, there have been dozens of blazes across turkey's south, many now under control, but some remain heartbreakingly alight. translation: we are not making a movie here. - this is not hollywood. it is turkey and turkey is burning furiously. as you see, all the crew here are working voluntarily with our own efforts. but we are helpless and there is nobody relieving us. we are so desperate. in greece, in the grip of its own heatwave, more flames tear through a pine forest. with rolling hills and little visibility hampering rescue efforts, it's no surprise over 150

houses are said to have burned. with this monastery surrounded by fire. the northern suburb of athens ablaze, as the mayor of olympia calls for help to stop fires encroaching on the ancient home of the olympic games. there are few homes the fire prepared to enter. the fire isn't prepared to enter. there are few homes the fire isn't prepared to enter, with further extreme conditions predicted soon. mark lobel, bbc news. stay with us on news, still to come: we'll be heading to tokyo, where the belgians have been celebrating another gold medal. seven men have beenjailed for the murder of aya hachem, a student who was shot dead in a feud between two rival businesses. the 19—year law student was killed in a botched drive—by shooting in blackburn in may last year. tyre firm boss, feroz suleman, had arranged the killing of a rival tyre company executive,

but the gunman he hired, shot ms hachem instead. her brother been speaking of his relief that those responsible for his sister's death are behind bars. a lot of people are happy that these people will spend a lot of their lives inside prison. otherwise, they would've been outside doing more criminal stuff and hurting more people — like they've hurt us. i wish that my pain — i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, or my family's pain. we are going to live the rest of our lives without our angel. she's always with us, but... it's just too hard. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. government forces in afghanistan claim to have pushed back taliban militants —

after multiple attacks on herat — one of the country's major cities. hardline ibrahim raisi is installed as iran's new president. he's pledged seek an end to us sanctions. new york governor andrew cuomo continues to refuse to resign after an investigation by the state attorney general�*s office found he harassed 11 women during his time in office. now every member of new york's democratic congressional delegation says he should step down, and presidentjoe biden agrees. the push to impeach him is gaining momentum. state senator alessandra biaggi, who formerly worked on his staff, joins us now from pelham, new york. senator, the governor says the harassment didn't happen. he said it as a result of cultural misunderstandings. as a result of cultural misunderstandinas. . ~' , ., ., misunderstandings. thank you for havin: me misunderstandings. thank you for having me on- _ misunderstandings. thank you for having me on. i— misunderstandings. thank you for having me on. ithink— misunderstandings. thank you for having me on. i think the - misunderstandings. thank you for i having me on. i think the governor's response to the attorney general�*s report is irresponsible, and it also

feels like a master class in gas lighting. he attempts in his response to undermine the credibility not only of the report, a report that is incredibly thorough with many different people who were interviewed over 147 people — there were tens of thousands of documents and what is going on here is because he has lost credibility. my response is one of sadness governor not only that i have worked for, but that has really traumatised and created and fostered a toxic workplace environment, one where people are constantly berated and belittled, whether that's enforced ijy belittled, whether that's enforced by his top aides. none of what he sees —— we see here is surprising, but i think him refusing to resign is damning for new york because new york needs a leader at the helm that

is capable of helping us through covid relief, making sure that our state is governed with integrity and everything this governor has done to date with regard to this investigation has effectively challenged the integrity of new york state government. you challenged the integrity of new york state government.— challenged the integrity of new york state government. you worked in his office, state government. you worked in his office. what — state government. you worked in his office, what was _ state government. you worked in his office, what was your _ state government. you worked in his office, what was your experience? i state government. you worked in his| office, what was your experience? my office, what was your experience? iji experience office, what was your experience? m experience was office, what was your experience? m1 experience was one of a toxic workplace. i think it's almost impossible not to feel the darkness that encompasses the executive chamber. when i say toxic workplace environment, it's an environment designed to undermine staff, destabilise staff, make you second guess yourself. it feels like a constant whiplash between praise and being valueless. it leaves you really to wonder whether you just experience what you did, and i think in light of the report and given how similar all of the cases of the 11

women, it shows you a pattern that these are victims who were at the very beginning of their careers. they were subordinate, vulnerable in some way and this demonstrates the governor's abuse of power. the reason why this matters is because it affects the governing of new york state. . ~ it affects the governing of new york state. ., ~ ., ,., ., it affects the governing of new york state. ., ~ ., ., , , state. talking about that briefly, oliticall , state. talking about that briefly, politically, what _ state. talking about that briefly, politically, what happens - state. talking about that briefly, politically, what happens now? | state. talking about that briefly, - politically, what happens now? right now, if the governor _ politically, what happens now? i mt now, if the governor doesn't resign, what could happen is we can begin the impeachment proceedings. they began in the new york state assembly, who is tasked with draughting the articles of impeachment. once those articles are draughted, they are delivered to the senate, which i am a member of. that's important and has to happen because once those articles are delivered, the governor is required to step aside and the lieutenant governor takes over. why that matters is because even though we have this report that has come out from the attorney general,

accountability has not taken place. if we do not take this seriously, what we're saying is we have no standards for sexual harassment, and the rules really don't apply, even to those in our highest offices. the impeachment proceedings can begin as quickly as today. impeachment proceedings can begin as quickly as today-— quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank ou quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank you so — quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank you so much _ quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank you so much for— quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank you so much forjoining - quickly as today. alessandra biaggi, thank you so much forjoining us. i thank you so much forjoining us. thank you very much for having me. let's turn to the olympics now — and another gold medalfor belgium. nafi cham has become the 2020 olympic champion in the heptathlon — an incredible win, back to back gold for her. edging out her opponents in the final 800 metres event. let's get more from lucy hockings, who's in tokyo for us. a warm welcome to tokyo. a lot happening here with her gold and a number of upsets. stephen gardiner is from the bahamas and he has won gold in the men's 400

metres. grabbing bronze... another gold for the us as well and it was quite dramatic in the pole vault. katie of the us taking that title, you can see her looking absolutely thrilled. tears for her as she powered to her victory. an incredible performance in the pool by 14—year—old. .. incredible performance in the pool by 14—year—old... in the ten metre diving. what is remarkable here is all sevenjudges diving. what is remarkable here is all seven judges awarded her perfect hands for her second and fourth dives and the gold medal. dramatic shoot—out win over australia in the men's final as well. happening just a few hours ago. let's speak to helen richerson walsh, who played in the rio olympics as well, winning

gold. she is now a psychologist and joins me now. it came down to a shoot—out in the men's final. what did you make of it? it shoot-out in the men's final. what did you make of it?— shoot-out in the men's final. what did you make of it? it took me back to the shoot — did you make of it? it took me back to the shoot out _ did you make of it? it took me back to the shoot out we _ did you make of it? it took me back to the shoot out we had _ to the shoot out we had against lebanon in rio, and it's always can go either way. the game had been so close. it was such a tight game and it came out for those shoot—out. the skills were tested under that immense pressure. belgium just doing enough at the end. was really delighted for them having finished second in rio, so to go one better was fantastic for them.— second in rio, so to go one better was fantastic for them. what's the best advice _ was fantastic for them. what's the best advice you _ was fantastic for them. what's the best advice you could _ was fantastic for them. what's the best advice you could give - was fantastic for them. what's the | best advice you could give someone in a shoot—out situation? i best advice you could give someone in a shoot-out situation?— in a shoot-out situation? i think the key thing — in a shoot-out situation? i think the key thing is _ in a shoot-out situation? i think the key thing is probably - in a shoot-out situation? i think the key thing is probably all- in a shoot-out situation? i think

the key thing is probably all the| the key thing is probably all the stuff you did before the shoot—out. preparation is so important. that's where you're able to get the confidence and the knowledge that you are in the right place and the best place to do what you need to do. when it comes to it, it's about following the processes that you've practised over the weeks and months and even years, possibly, that you know in that situation, you're going to do x, y and z. it was about having positive thoughts for me. it was about stepping forward to with confidence and all those tiny little things that i practised time and time again. when it came to that moment, i tried to stifle the worries and fear that can take over your mind and those moments, so it's about practice and preparation, and then trying to execute when it comes to it. i then trying to execute when it comes to it. ., , , ., then trying to execute when it comes to it. .,, i. .,, then trying to execute when it comes toit. ,

to it. i hope everyone was listening to it. i hope everyone was listening to that advice. _ to it. i hope everyone was listening to that advice. there _ to it. i hope everyone was listening to that advice. there are _ to it. i hope everyone was listening to that advice. there are just - to it. i hope everyone was listening to that advice. there are just three | to that advice. there are just three more days of the olympics. three more days of the olympics. three more late nights for me and some of you as well. there'll be plenty of coverage the bbc. we all know that keeping a routine during lockdown can be tricky, particularly if you're used to the limelight. look at that. despite the absence of admiring crowds, the march of the penguins has continued at this zoo in thailand. their keepers say it's important for them to get out and about, to help prevent them getting sick. so, despite the pandemic, they've been enjoying a little sunshine and the chance for a swim before before returning to an air—conditioned enclosure. not a bad life while they wait for their adoring public to return. may be penguin swimming will become an olympic event in paris 2024. you

never know. you can get in touch with me on twitter, james at bbc news. see you later. hello there. there's certainly no summery weather in this forecast. it's looking pretty unsettled for the time of year thanks to one area of low pressure which is going to park itself across the uk for the next few days, throughout the weekend and indeed even into the start of next week. and it's going to bring windier, wetter conditions, some torrential downpours in places, and it's generally going to feel on the cool side for the time of year. so, here it is, this new area of low pressure, which moves across many places for thursday. lots of isobars on the charts, so the winds have picked up across much of the country as well. and as we head through this evening and overnight, it stays unsettled. there'll be spells of heavy rains, some thundery showers, but also some clearer, quieter interludes as well. now, temperatures will be no lower than 14—15 celsius, so actually quite a mild night to come across the board.

so, our area of low pressure, then, very much with us for friday. this little feature will run in across the south of the country as we start the week, and that could bring some heavier downpours across southern areas. because it does look like on friday the focus of the showers or longer spells of rain will tend to be across more northern areas, and this is where we're likely to see some thundery downpours for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, in towards the midlands, north wales. there will be some showers across the south, but i think a greater chance of seeing prolonged sunny spells, so not too bad a day across the south. but it's going to be a breezy day. these are mean wind speeds. gusts will be higher than that, particularly around some irish sea coasts. now, temperatures, 21, maybe 22 celsius across the south east given some good sunny spells, but generally for most, i think the high teens celsius. and as we head through friday night, we hold onto the breezy conditions, further showers or longer spells of rain mainly across northern and western areas. again, there will be some lengthy clear spells, particularly through central, southern and eastern areas.

and temperatures, 12—14 celsius, so maybe not quite as mild as the previous night. and that little feature i was talking about runs across the south of the country. that can enhance the shower activity there on saturday. generally it's low pressure again both saturday and sunday slap—bang on top of the country, so it's going to be another one of sunshine and showers. so, some of those showers could be quite heavy across the south. in between, there will be some sunshine. it's a similar picture on sunday. even as we head on into monday, we'll see sunshine and showers. and these sorts of values a little below par for the time of year.

this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. fears of a humanitarian crisis grow as fierce fighting continues in afghanistan. serious covid sickness is hitting younger age groups. one in five patients admitted to hospital in england is now aged between 18 and 34. similarsigns are being seen in the us. barcelona football club have just announced that their star footballer, lionel messi, is to leave. # is to leave. relax, don't do it, when you won a socket # relax, don't do it, when you won a socket to it... and, with a new exhibition charting the rise of frankie goes to hollywood, we welcome lead singer hollyjohnson to the pleasure dome that is bbc news.

hello, and welcome. taliban militants are continuing their rapid advance in afghanistan, with all us—led foreign troops due to leave by next month. insurgents now control large parts of the city of lashkar gar, in helmand province, with reports of bodies lying in the streets after intense fighting with government troops. helmand used to be under the control of british forces, and in 2012, corporaljake hartley was one of six servicemen killed when a bomb detonated beneath their armoured vehicle. it was the single biggest loss of life suffered by the british in the campaign. well, jake's mother, nathalie, has been watching recent events unfold in afghanistan, and has been speaking to our special correspondent, ed thomas. i light my candles and i'd touch that picture. i would say good morning, goodnight. i will talk to him, it's like he's here. holding on. memories of corporaljake hartley.

i have jake's old iphone and wallet with money, and items and cinema tickets. i've got his best clothes, and i polish his buckle. and i still have his shoes and shoe rack. they are just little comforts. it might seem crazy to some people, but... yeah. it is nearly ten years since jake was killed in afghanistan. losing jake has caused so much pain, so much pain. he was 20 years old. i have not wanted to be here. i have attempted, i have. it's... it's like i havejust wanted to go to him. and ijust want the pain and everything to just go away. after two decades of conflict,

this is lashkar gar now, with the taliban taking afghanistan to the brink of civil war. gunfire. i don't think we should go back or have any involvement whatsoever. we have done what we can and it has cost a lot of lives, too many. it makes me angry, yeah, it makes me angry. he gave his life for queen and country, and for us to be safe. we are all seeing the taliban pushing across the country, across helmand, where jake was. how difficult is it to see those images? it is just a waste. it isjust... it does feel like a waste. but i think that... there is no comeback. there's nothing we can do. corporaljake hartley was one of 457 british military

deaths in afghanistan. jake paid the ultimate sacrifice, but so do the families. you know, we have definitely been forgotten about. jake's last letter, the first line states, "hello, family. please don't cry, mum. i am not here now. "i'm in a better place." if you could say one more thing to him? i love you so much. and i'd have to finish with, my little nut brownie. nathalie bouziges, speaking to ed thomas. covis is making more and more young people seriously ill. one in five patients admitted to hospital with covid—19 in england are now aged between 18 and 34.

the proportion of young people getting very sick with the virus is four times higher than last winter. with a growing number of young adults being hospitalised, they're being urged to get a coronavirus vaccine. our health correspondent katharine da costa reports. the average age of covid patients admitted to icu has dropped by a decade, from 59 in the winter peak to 49 in this third wave. intensive care consultants say they're seeing younger patients with no underlying health conditions. we've been seeing young, fit patients who haven't been lucky enough to get vaccinated, coming in for some time. i've been caring for young, fit men in their 30s — no medical problems whatsoever, very healthy, muscular people. i've been looking after young pregnant women as well. more than 70% of adults in the uk are fully vaccinated. two doses offer high levels of protection and estimates suggest more than 50,000 hospital admissions have been prevented

in england alone. at the peak of the second wave injanuary, there were around 34,000 covid patients in hospitals in england. around 5% of admissions were among young adults. currently there are just under 5,000 patients in hospital. 20% — or about 1,000 patients — are aged 18—34. the new boss of nhs england says the vaccination programme's having a massive impact. it shows how effective the vaccine programme has been at protecting people, stopping them needing hospitalisation, keeping them safe. so, young people are not immune and the best way they can protect themselves absolutely is to get that vaccine if they haven't already. around a third of 18—29—year—olds are still to come forward for a jab. now the roll—out�*s been extended to 16—17—year—olds, with vaccinations expected to begin this month. katharine da costa, bbc news.

well, it seems as a similar trend is also happening in the us. as doctors say many of the hospitalised patients with covid—19 are notjust unvaccinated, but also younger. according to the us centers for disease control and prevention, people in the us aged 18—49 make up the largest demographic of people in hospital. states like louisiana and florida with low vaccination rates are seeing hospitals quickly fill to capacity. top public health officials have said it's a pandemic among the unvaccinated. i'm joined now by dr krishna udayakumar, who is the director of duke university's global health innovation centre in raleigh, north carolina. doctor, a pandemic of the unvaccinated — is that fair? it doctor, a pandemic of the unvaccinated - is that fair? it is, and that's _ unvaccinated - is that fair? it is, and that's really _ unvaccinated - is that fair? it is, and that's really what's - unvaccinated - is that fair? it is, and that's really what's driving l unvaccinated — is that fair? it 3 and that's really what's driving the worsening pandemic in the uk and us, and in countries where we have relatively high rates of vaccination right now. and part of why we are

seeing more young people get sick and hospitalised is because we have much higher rates of vaccination amongst older and vulnerable populations. so while it's a good thing we have high rates of vaccination amongst older individuals, what we are seeing really is now a hugely vulnerable populations where overall rates are nowhere near where they need to be to reach vaccine mediated herd immunity. so we have tens of millions of people still vulnerable, and that's why we are seeing this rage out of control again. do these ounuer, rage out of control again. do these younger, unvaccinated _ rage out of control again. do these younger, unvaccinated people - rage out of control again. do these| younger, unvaccinated people think they are invincible?— they are invincible? well, i think there's quite _ they are invincible? well, i think there's quite a _ they are invincible? well, i think there's quite a few _ they are invincible? well, i think there's quite a few different - there's quite a few different reasons — but what we have to understand is that really, to get to the true motivation and be able to do everything we can, making sure we are talking at the right language and using the right ambassadors, because we will not be out of this

acute phase of the pandemic anywhere, including in the us, until we reach much higher rates of vaccination.— we reach much higher rates of vaccination. ~ ., , ., , vaccination. the white house has used a number _ vaccination. the white house has used a number of _ vaccination. the white house has used a number of younger - vaccination. the white house hasl used a number of younger people, there have been different kinds of ambassadors — are there different incentives, like paying people? we need incentives, like paying people? - need to look at the carrot and stick stop so offering things like lotteries and pure payments to get first and second doses of vaccines seem to be raising the bar a little bit. on the other side, seeing the terrible consequences of infections has also increased the rate of vaccination. in overtime, as we to see more mandates — whether that's from employers, schools, including universities — we need to start seeing all those things in place that reach different types of populations. that reach different types of populations-— that reach different types of --oulations. ., ., ., , , . populations. onto another sub'ect, the white house is i populations. onto another sub'ect, the white house is coming h populations. onto another sub'ect, the white house is coming up i populations. onto another subject, the white house is coming up with| populations. onto another subject, | the white house is coming up with a plan to let travellers who are vaccinated. what do you make of that? i vaccinated. what do you make of that? 4' vaccinated. what do you make of that? ~ �* , , vaccinated. what do you make of

that? 4' �* , , . that? i think it's very much in the works, that? i think it's very much in the works. but _ that? i think it's very much in the works, but like _ that? i think it's very much in the works, but like we've _ that? i think it's very much in the works, but like we've seen - that? i think it's very much in the works, but like we've seen in - that? i think it's very much in the works, but like we've seen in the | that? i think it's very much in the i works, but like we've seen in the eu for example, there really will be a high priority on vaccinations as we start to reopen more and more international travel, and we have to be careful to make sure we are doing this in a way that protects privacy, but also have equity considerations in place because the people who are most vulnerable are also the ones least likely to meet these requirements.— least likely to meet these requirements. least likely to meet these reauirements. ., ., ,, least likely to meet these reauirements. ., ., requirements. doctor, thank you so much. requirements. doctor, thank you so much- thank— requirements. doctor, thank you so much. thank you. _ in the last few hours, barcelona football club have announced that star player, lionel messi will, not be staying at the club "because of financial and structural obstacles". messi, 34, has been a free agent since the 1st ofjuly, when his contract expired. he agreed a new deal on reduced wages with club two weeks later, but it was dependent on barca selling players to afford his salary. let's talk to simon kuper, columnist for the financial times and the author of the new book barca: inside the story of the world's greatest football club.

simon, do you need another chapter? yes! i arranged with messi, but i now have to have a chapter. irate yes! i arranged with messi, but i now have to have a chapter. we did a similar story. — now have to have a chapter. we did a similar story, messi _ now have to have a chapter. we did a similar story, messi leaving - similar story, messi leaving barcelona at this time last year. the question is, is this really true this time? , �* , the question is, is this really true this time? , �*, ., ., , this time? this time it's against his will, and _ this time? this time it's against his will, and it's _ this time? this time it's against his will, and it's very _ this time? this time it's against his will, and it's very likely - this time? this time it's against his will, and it's very likely to i this time? this time it's against| his will, and it's very likely to be true. i won't bet on it until he is actually signed somewhere else, but yes. last year he originally wanted to leave, the club held him to his contract, his family cried when he said he was leaving, then he decided he would stay. but this year he wants to stay, but the club have said to him today, "we can't afford this. we don't have the money to sign you. so i'm sorry, but goodbye." ii sign you. so i'm sorry, but goodbye-"— sign you. so i'm sorry, but goodbye." sign you. so i'm sorry, but aoodb e." , ., �* . goodbye." if they don't have the mone , goodbye." if they don't have the money. who _ goodbye." if they don't have the money, who does? _ goodbye." if they don't have the money, who does? well, - goodbye." if they don't have the i money, who does? well, barcelona goodbye." if they don't have the - money, who does? well, barcelona are victims of terrible _ money, who does? well, barcelona are victims of terrible mismanagement, i victims of terrible mismanagement, spending more than $1 million on transfers, more than any other club

in football, ending up with an ageing squad with little value. the best hand in this are paris st. germain, he wasjust best hand in this are paris st. germain, he was just on holiday with several paris players, including neymar, and psg was putting together a bid. the other club who might have the finances do not want to stop what you've written that book about barcelona, i sawjust behind you. you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi? what you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi?— you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi? what i wrote the book, how important is messi? what i wrote the book. or — how important is messi? what i wrote the book. or my _ how important is messi? what i wrote the book, or my questions _ how important is messi? what i wrote the book, or my questions was, - the book, or my questions was, who has power in the club? and the obvious answer was messi runs the show. they don't dare make a decision on signing a player, on hiring a new coach, any change he won't like. so he has implicit say in every big decision in the club, he is a bigger power broker than the president, then the coach at the moment. the club revolves around

him, and in the end, he ended up eating the club through this enormous salary his father negotiated.— enormous salary his father neaotiated. ,, ., ., ., ., negotiated. simon, i look forward to the updated — negotiated. simon, i look forward to the updated version _ negotiated. simon, i look forward to the updated version of— negotiated. simon, i look forward to the updated version of your - negotiated. simon, i look forward to the updated version of your book. i the updated version of your book. thanks so much forjoining us. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: they created some of the most iconic songs and music videos of all time. and lead singer of frankie goes to hollywood, hollyjohnson, joins us live next. borisjohnson has defended the changes his government has made to the traffic light system that applies to international travel. speaking on the second day of a two—day visit to scotland, the prime minister said people had to be "patient" this year when it came to summer holidays. we understand how important people's holidays are. and i've always said that we wanted people to have holidays the summer — though i always stressed it wasn't going to be the same as any other summer, unfortunately,

because of the pandemic. and i've asked people to understand that they have to be a little bit patient this year. but you've got to balance our very strong desire to get people travelling with the need to protect us against new variants. i think testing is part of that, it's a sensible thing to do. but the great thing about the double jabs is that it does allow us now to travel to and from the european countries in the united states. and i think that, as more and more countries get vaccinated and the extra vaccination protection, i think you'll see more travel possible. i know they do. well, i think... i think that people should obviously look at the guidance. we're trying to make it as simple as we can. we've lengthened the interval between the changes to the guidance. but we want people to get away

if they possibly can, we're just saying that obviously this year will be a bit trickier. we just ask for a bit of patience. but we've got to balance the two objectives. we want people to be able to travel, we want the travel industry to get going again, we want to see tourists coming back to our country — a very, very important part of our economy — but you've got to balance that against the need to protect ourselves against the pandemic. this is bbc news, the latest headlines... government forces in afghanistan claim to have pushed back taliban militants, after multiple attacks on herat — one of the country's major cities. hardline ibrahim raisi is installed as iran's new president. he's pledged seek an end to us sanctions. so, what did you do during the lockdown? well, here in the uk —

and i suspect in many, many other countries — we spent a lot of time watching tv. but the kind of tv we're tuning into is changing. figures for adults across the uk show that they increasingly turned to subscription services when repeated lockdowns left millions at home. here's our technology correspondent rory cellan—jones. like many of us, the oakley family spent much of 2020 glued to screens, though not necessarily all together. mum and dad were in front of the main telly. son arun spent lots of time gaming, chatting to friends, and watching youtube videos, but it's streaming services not broadcast tv which were big for all of them. increasingly, it's just news and current affairs, really, is what we are watching broadcast. otherwise it's streaming. almost everything else is streamed via one service or another. arun, do you watch any television? almost none. i'm usually watching youtube or netflix. i ofcom's annual snapshot of our media habits shows we spent an average of five hours and 40 minutes a day

watching tv or online video in 2020. that's up 47 minutes on the year before. much of the increase is down to the fact that the time watching subscription streaming services almost doubled to an hour and five minutes a day. the biggest player, netflix, is now in more than half of all uk homes. with hit series like bridgerton, netflix now has more subscribers than sky, virgin and the other uk pay—tv providers put together. so what we're seeing is that younger people are migrating from traditional tv to really engaging in these streaming services, where they can watch what they want when they want on their own device, whether that's netflix or youtube, but we're now seeing older audiences also catching up and turning to these streaming services. so 2020 was the year britain became a streaming nation, with traditional broadcast tv something for older people and set to decline. but is this a permanent change, and will we want to continue to pay for the likes of netflix, amazon prime, nowtv,

disney+, or will we start switching some of them off? we had a total of six streaming services subscribed at one point. that's now kind of slimmed down to four at the moment, and i think another one will be dropping off soon. hey, google, play the bbc tech tent podcast. one other change in our media habits — more than half of uk homes now have a smart speaker. an internet connection, not an aerial or satellite dish, is becoming the way we all get access to entertainment. rory cellan—jones, bbc news. an investigation discovered that a mix of agricultural pesticides is more harmful to bees than was previously thought. the researchers from royal holloway university of london found that a cocktail of chemicals reacted with each other to

kill large numbers of bees. victoria gill has more. precious pollinators in decline. arby�*s face multiple threats to their survival, from a loss of food rich natural grass and to the dozens of chemical pesticides used in agriculture. the research has examined 90 studies that each measured the effect on bees of a specific pesticide or another environmental challenge. they worked out that combinations of several chemicals killed many more bees than expected. this is because the researchers say pesticides interact, each chemical enhances the damage caused by another. what we found is really important when you consider how agrochemicals are sold. commercial formulas are sold to farmers and they often contain various different agrochemicals — pesticides, fungicides — and what our research shows is that these chemicals can interact

and significantly increase the potential harm, potential impact on bee mortality. the scientists say that regulation needs to be updated to factor in this chemical interaction, and to avoid harmful cocktails of pesticide that pose a threat to the pollinating insects that we rely on. victoria gill, bbc news. some of us in lockdown spent tiome watching youtuibe music videos. — including those of frnki goes to hollywood. whose hits like relax, two tribes and the haunting power of love defined the �*80s. that's my own childhood. a new exhibition in liverpool charting the bands rise to success notjust changing the face of music, but pioneering a more socially liberal attitude. lead singer holly johnsonjoins us now. holly, honoured in your own city — not bad. holly, honoured in your own city - not bad. . �* , holly, honoured in your own city - not bad. . �*, ., . holly, honoured in your own city - notbad. . �*, ., . .,�* not bad. that's fantastic, i don't know much _ not bad. that's fantastic, i don't know much about _ not bad. that's fantastic, i don't

know much about the _ not bad. that's fantastic, i don't know much about the exhibition | not bad. that's fantastic, i don't i know much about the exhibition at all. i haven't been able to get to liverpool since lockdown. so unfortunately, i haven't seen it. so ou unfortunately, i haven't seen it. so you might be going around it, going, "oh, that's mine, where did you get that from?" iuntil]! �*oh, that's mine, where did you get that from?"— that from?" will possibly, but i can't comment _ that from?" will possibly, but i can't comment because - that from?" will possibly, but i can't comment because i - that from?" will possibly, but i l can't comment because i haven't that from?" will possibly, but i - can't comment because i haven't seen it yet, unfortunately. i'm sure it's interesting. it yet, unfortunately. i'm sure it's interesting-— it yet, unfortunately. i'm sure it's interesting. what's it like thinking about revisiting _ interesting. what's it like thinking about revisiting that _ interesting. what's it like thinking about revisiting that era? - interesting. what's it like thinking about revisiting that era? well- interesting. what's it like thinking about revisiting that era? well it i about revisiting that era? well it was a very _ about revisiting that era? well it was a very long _ about revisiting that era? well it was a very long time _ about revisiting that era? well it was a very long time ago - about revisiting that era? well it was a very long time ago for - about revisiting that era? well it| was a very long time ago for me, about revisiting that era? well it i was a very long time ago for me, i left frankie goes to hollywood in 1987 to make solo albums and do other things. 1987 to make solo albums and do otherthings. so, i realise 1987 to make solo albums and do other things. so, i realise that it's the lens through which people view me. and i don't underestimate its importance as an iconic memory for lots of teenagers, people who chat to be on social media, on

instagram, mr hollyjohnson, facebook, mr hollyjohnson — all those conduits now where you can speak directly to people. and it was important for them, really. irate important for them, really. we talked about you pioneering a more socially liberal era — do you think that's right, you were one of the pioneers? that's right, you were one of the ioneers? , ~ ., �* , pioneers? yes, i think that's correct. _ pioneers? yes, i think that's correct. as _ pioneers? yes, i think that's correct, as far _ pioneers? yes, i think that's correct, as far as _ pioneers? yes, i think that's correct, as far as lgbt, - pioneers? yes, i think that's correct, as far as lgbt, you | pioneers? yes, i think that's - correct, as far as lgbt, you know, openly gay individuals in a band coexisting with heterosexuals. a little bit later, brodsky beat, an old gay band — certainly we weren't hiding in the closet where other artists perhaps of that era were still firmly ensconced. frankie goes

to hollywood were a kind of, "well, we don't give a damn what you think" attitude. " you have to catch up with us," really.— attitude. " you have to catch up with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit _ with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit of— with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit of an _ with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit of an irony _ with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit of an irony in - with us," really. speaking of that, there's a bit of an irony in this - i there's a bit of an irony in this — you're on the bbc, but i remember when top of the pops got to the number one, they would say frankie goes to hollywood's number one with relax, and the site itself was banned. it's not band any more, things have changed, i guess? things have changed — things have changed, i guess? things have changed for _ things have changed, i guess? things have changed for the _ things have changed, i guess? things have changed for the better, - things have changed, i guess? t1 igs have changed for the better, people are more open and less dismissive of alternative sexuality or sexuality across the board. you know, if it was released today, would it be banned at? i'm not so sure, no, but they banned all sorts of other

things with homophobic or racist content which i think is perhaps an improvement. in content which i think is perhaps an improvement-— improvement. in the 1980s, you called on people _ improvement. in the 1980s, you called on people to _ improvement. in the 1980s, you called on people to relax - - improvement. in the 1980s, you called on people to relax - it's i called on people to relax — it's 2021, do people relax enough this year? 2021, do people relax enough this ear? ~ , . ., , ., ., 2021, do people relax enough this ear? ~ , ., ., ., year? well, musicians have had no choice. year? well, musicians have had no choice- we've _ year? well, musicians have had no choice. we've been _ year? well, musicians have had no choice. we've been left _ year? well, musicians have had no choice. we've been left behind - year? well, musicians have had no choice. we've been left behind by| choice. we've been left behind by the government in terms of furlough or assistance. we are unable to travel to europe and without visas, it's a very strange world to be a musician and today.— it's a very strange world to be a musician and today. when will you aet musician and today. when will you net to that musician and today. when will you get to that exhibition? _ musician and today. when will you get to that exhibition? well, - musician and today. when will you get to that exhibition? well, i - get to that exhibition? well, i really need — get to that exhibition? well, i really need to _ get to that exhibition? well, i really need to visit _ get to that exhibition? well, i really need to visit my - get to that exhibition? well, i l really need to visit my mother, whose 86. i speak to her on the telephone, she lives around the corner from telephone, she lives around the cornerfrom penny lane — immortalised by the beatles in a song — and that'll definitely be my first stop when i finally do get to

liverpool. irate first stop when i finally do get to liverool. ~ ., , ., first stop when i finally do get to liverool. ~ .,, ., .,, first stop when i finally do get to liverool. ~ . liverpool. we hope that as soon, we are out of time, _ liverpool. we hope that as soon, we are out of time, thanks _ liverpool. we hope that as soon, we are out of time, thanks so _ liverpool. we hope that as soon, we are out of time, thanks so much - liverpool. we hope that as soon, we are out of time, thanks so much for| are out of time, thanks so much for joining us. that's it from us. hello there. low pressure's been moving in across the uk on thursday, and it's going to park itself across the country, certainly for friday, the weekend, and indeed into the start of next week. so it's going to remain very unsettled for august — windy with some heavy showers, some of them thundery in places, and it's generally going to feel on the cool side for the time of year. so here it is, this area of low pressure which will continue to bring some rather wet and windy weather through friday. this feature moving in across southern areas on saturday —

more on that in just a moment. for friday, then, the picture looks pretty messy. in fact, it's going to be breezy. showers, longer spells of rain — some of them thundery — affecting scotland, northern ireland, northern england, the north midlands, into north wales. bubbly a better chance of seeing lengthier sunny spells across the south. but it's going to be a breezy day. these are the mean wind speeds. gusts will be higher, particularly around coastal areas in the south—west. now, with the prolonged sunny spells in the south, we could see 22 celsius. but, for most, we're looking at around 18—20 celsius. now, low pressure still dominates the scene on saturday, but this little feature runs in across the south of england throughout saturday. that's going to enhance the shower activity here, so we could see some thundery downpours across the south and south—east. elsewhere, that area of low pressure will generate sunshine and showers, and again pretty much nowhere is immune to seeing a heavy, thundery downpour. temperatures as well not good for august, with highs of 16—19 celsius. low pressure still with us on sunday. slowly starting to fill, which means it's weakening,

so the winds will gradually turn a little bit lighter. but it's still another breezy day of sunshine and showers, and you can see how widespread the showers are — again some of them will be heavy and thundery, particularly central and northern areas. probably a better chance of seeing some sunny spells across the south and the south—west. those temperatures, 18—20 celsius. now, as we move out of sunday into monday, the area of low pressure fills more, it weakens, there's fewer isobars on the charts, so the winds will be a little bit lighter. and we should see fewer showers. i think most of them will be across central and northern areas, some good spells of sunshine in between. i think some parts of the south and south—east could stay dry all day, so we could see highs of 21 celsius. but, where we have those showers further north and west, then generally the high teens celsius. moving out of monday into tuesday, that area of low pressure fades away, and a brief ridge of high pressure builds in from the south—west. so, from around the middle part of the week, certainly for southern and eastern areas, things will settle down for a time — should see some drier weather with increased amounts of sunshine.

so quite a pleasant picture for tuesday, very different to the days before. a lot of dry weather around. variable cloud, but plenty of sunshine, as you can see. just the odd shower across the far north and west. temperatures will respond — with lighter winds, more sunshine, could see temperatures creep into the low to mid—20s celsius. stays fine across southern and eastern areas through wednesday and indeed into thursday. but then a new area of low pressure will start to invade in from the west for the end of the week. so that will turn things more unsettled again. more especially across the north and the west of the country. higher pressure always towards the south—east, across the near continent. so it does mean things will settle down a little bit into next week. probably the best of the sunshine and warmth will be across southern and eastern areas. more showers further north and west, but then things turn more unsettled by the end of the week and into the following weekend, with low pressure dominating the scene once again. so no signs of any hot, summery weather on the horizon.

tonight at ten, changes to the rules on foreign travel leave thousands of british tourists scrambling to get home from mexico by sunday morning. holidays are being cut short as the country is placed on the travel red list. we can't afford another e3000 and also with my work i can't take any extra time off and i can't work in the quarantine hotel, so we had to get back before sunday. but travellers who've been double jabbed will no longer have to quarantine on their return from france. also tonight... seven men are jailed for the murder of aya hachem, a student mistakenly shot dead, in a business vendetta. the mother of a british soldier killed in afghanistan says foreign troops shouldn't return, despite the taliban now threatening to take control.