welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines — trapped among blasts and street battles — the fight to drive the taliban from afghan cities sparks fears of a humanitarian crisis. translation: we feel very bad. we can hear the gunfire, and just now a bullet hit the truck of a tank. we completely evacuated this area. we have nothing left, and we do not know where to go. one of the world's great footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona after more than 20 years. and wildfires threaten large parts of greece as strengthening winds fuel more than 150 blazes. dozens of towns and villages have been evacuated.

i'm sarah mulkerrins live in tokyo on day 14, where steven gardiner won 400—metres gold to secure athletes are having to battle the extreme heat injapan forcing _ the extreme heat injapan forcing the women's gold metal football— forcing the women's gold metal football match to be moved. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. it's 7am in the morning here in singapore, and 3:30am in the morning across afghanistan, where the government is mobilising its forces to try to repel taliban fighters as they move in on several big cities. this map shows you some of the key areas of the fighting — in kandahar, herat and lashkar gah. this is the situation earlier on thursday in herat, with taliban fighters reportedly moving at will in much of the city.

here are the thoughts of some of the residents. translation: the situation is tough. | our houses have all been destroyed. people have all fled. there are eight or nine taliban on the roof of our house. if the security force hit there, everything will be destroyed. then where should we go? translation: we feel very bad. our house is in the in the basin area. right now, the taliban came into the area from another place. we can hear the gunfire, and just now a bullet hit the truck of a tank. we completely evacuated this area. we have nothing left, and we do not know where to go. there is also fierce fighting in laskhar gah in helmand province, traditionally a stronghold of the taliban. these are members of the afghan army there who've been warning residents to stay away or leave. locals have reported dead bodies in the streets and scarce supplies of food and water. earlier on bbc news,

we spoke to bilal sarwary, an afghan journalist based in kabul. here he is on the latest on the battle for lashkar gah. well, we know that the afghan special forces have _ tried their operations- in lashkar gah, but we have to remember the fighting i is in the centre of the city. it's a city - of1 million people. the taliban have managed to take control of the local bazaar as well as shops. speaking to me, a memberl of parliament from helmand told me that people needed food and water, that there was no - power and that the taliban were using civilian homesl by digging walls going from home to home. i he said the government was doing the same. i so, it's an incredibly painful and difficult situation - for women and children. we know about shelling, i we know about air strikes, intense ones in the city. so, this will be not. an easy operation for the afghan special forces. kabul has dispatched its most senior special forces general.

along with the elite forces. the thoughts of afghan journalist bilal sarwary. the afghan government says that more than two dozen taliban fighters were killed around lashkar gah on thursday. and the us has been carrying out airstrikes in support of afghan special forces, while in some places, afghan warlords have mobilised their own militias to defend their local territory. it's clear the situation is highly volatile, and we'll keep you up to date with all the developments. and you can find more on this story on our website, including a look at where the taliban has been advancing. just log on to bbc.com/news or take a look on the bbc app. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. iran's new president, ebrahim raisi, has been sworn into office following his election victory injune. mr raisi is an ultra—conservative and is close to iran's supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei.

in the latest sign that the conflict in the tigray region of ethiopia is spreading, rebels have seized a un world heritage site in the neighbouring state of amhara. there are no reports of fighting in the town of lalibela, but some residents have fled. around 2000 peoplejoined an anti—lockdown protest in melbourne on thursday evening as the city was moved into its sixth covid lockdown. there have been a handful of new cases there, and it means that around two thirds of australia's 25 million population are now subject to restrictions to try to stop the virus spreading. in the uk, the government has defended changes still to come a bit later in the programme, we'll have all the latest from tokyo as the olympics enters its last few days. but first —

the footballer lionel messi is to leave barcelona after the club announced it was unable to offer him a new contract which satisfied both sides. barcelona has been stuggling financially and has to reduce its budget in line with spanish league rules. it means messi, seen by many as the world's best player, can join another club for free if they can satisfy his wage demands. it isa it is a soap opera from last summer to the summer. it has finished in a harsh way for fans and barcelona in. it should have finished in a city not in pandemic. i think he is adored in every city in spain. it will be collocated because the holy one of the same. he was _ the holy one of the same. he was everything for barcelona and the _ was everything for barcelona and the legal number the same. it's a _ and the legal number the same. it's a big — and the legal number the same. it's a big loss. people will notice _ it's a big loss. people will notice that. _ it's a big loss. people will notice that.— it's a big loss. people will notice that. we spoke to the author of — notice that. we spoke to the author of an _ notice that. we spoke to the author of an book _ notice that. we spoke to the author of an book on - notice that. we spoke to the i author of an book on barcelona and this is what he had to say.

this time it is against his will and likely to be true. i will and likely to be true. i will not be on until it is side but last year the club wanted him to lead but held to his contract. his family and sons said they cried when he said they were leaving and he said he wants to stay. but this year, he wants to say. he wants to stay but the club is said to him today we cannot afford this. we don't have the money to sign you, the new league rules won't allow it, so sorry, but goodbye. barcelona are victims of terrible mismanagement. they spent more than $1 billion on transports overfive spent more than $1 billion on transports over five years, more than any other club in football and ended up with an ageing squad with very little resale value. who does have the money? the best candidates i think are psg, the likely club to sign him and he was on holiday with paris players including neymar, and they appear to be putting together a bid. the other living might have the finances to sign him are city do not appear to want him. what i learned right in the book in one of my questions

is who has power in the cloud? and the obvious answer was he runs the show. they don't dare make a decision on signing a player, on hiring a new coach orany player, on hiring a new coach or any tactical change that he won't like. so he has an implicit say in every big decision in the club. he is a bigger power broker than the president, then the coach of the moment most of the club revolves around him and in the end ended up eating the club partly through this enormous salary his father negotiated. the greek prime minister, kyriakos mitsotakis, has said that wildfires have plunged greece into an unprecedented environmental crisis. there are fierce blazes in several parts of the country, including on the outskirts of athens. he warned the worst was yet to come with strong westerly winds to fan the flames on friday. firefighters nearby spent two days battling to save the historic birthplace of the olympic games. i'm joined now by mark lobel.

he is following development for us from london. devastating issues they are of the fire is blazing. however efforts to evacuate people been going and how far and wide have the fire spread? how far and wide have the fire 5 - read? ., how far and wide have the fire sread? ., , , spread? hello. many people bein: spread? hello. many people being evacuated _ spread? hello. many people being evacuated as - spread? hello. many people being evacuated as you - spread? hello. many people being evacuated as you say. | being evacuated as you say. reports reaching us of serious injuries or death so far, and also greece of course is use to these fires and used to dealing with them on the ground and in the air. but the scale of this is probably almost unprecedented. 6000 hectares of land has been destroyed injust three days. bear in mind 10,000 or destroyed in the whole of last year and the scale of this is immense. if we start with athens, with the fire to the north of athens where residents they are feeling temperatures of around a0 celsius, 107 fahrenheit, the prime minister is saying that will reach a menacing stage tonight and people really watching what is happening there because westerly winds have come in and

breathe new life into fires they thought were dying out in that area and if you go to the east, to the island, 100 km east of athens and the second largest island after crete, and a very mountainous region making it difficult to put out fires there, low visibility there, a monastery was surrounded by fire there yesterday. if you go to the west of athens into the peloponnese, as you mentioned, ancient 0lympia there came a huge concern in the perimeter went to visit today. earth diggers have them brought around to create a fire break around to create a fire break around the historic site where the elliptic torch is lit every two years and tourists flock there was of the message from there was of the message from the prime minister really is if you are asked to evacuate and many areas are being put on red alert, do it. you will be compensated as greeks were and businesses and households were in the cyclone two years ago in your houses will be decapitated at your crops will be paid back

to you. so do take that advice and move on if you have to. mark, on the latest on the wildfires, devastating wildfires, devastating wildfires in greece. he will have more for you throughout the day on bbc news. now let's get an update from the olympics in which means there's only a few days of competition left before the big closing ceremony. china will look hold on to finish on top of the medal tally. they lead the way with 3a golds, ahead of the us with 29. and the hosts japan are in third. let's get an update on all the action. we can now cross live to tokyo with sarah mulkerrins, who is there for us. great to have you on the programme. and what should we be looking forward to today on day 1a? hello. inching towards the end at the olympic games with them i can tell you right now already under way in the north

ofjapan already under way in the north of japan with the men's 50 km race waffles that they are having to battle the extreme heat there with many there having a nice are in their head and you can see them battling with that. they will take another while before they finish but there is lots more coming up. there is going to be 23 metal events in total so let's take a quick look at what they are and we can start with they are and we can start with the track and field because it is going to be all eyes on allison phoenix in that when she is going to go in the women's water metres. she has a chance to become the most decorated female track and field athlete of all time. she has six gold medals in the olympics are ready, nine in total so it could be ten and 20 more action on the track as well. we always love the relays. we have got the men at�*s and women's ax100 m relays finals and also the women positive football final with sweden taking on canada in

that. that has been moved from the early morning here in tokyo to the evening to try to counteract the heat that they are experiencing there. and then in the men poz but it was in his final, germany will seek to be the first country to unseat china. they have never felt when it comes to the top podium spot in the events and no doubt plenty of people will be watching that to see whether we may well have a shock there. absolutely, sarah. everybody awaiting to see who the ultimate winner will be. now it's your last day from tokyo for us here on newsday, sarah, so what's been your favourite part about this olympic games? i think ithinki i think i can guess. i thinki can guess. i was auoin i thinki can guess. i was going to _ i thinki can guess. i was going to say _ i thinki can guess. i was going to say being - i thinki can guess. i was going to say being on - i think i can guess. i was - going to say being on newsday with you but i will have to say ireland winning a gold medal in the railing. we had a wonderful story last week that i note many people at home in ireland

were watching and i know my family were up in the middle of the night watching and lots of my friends and that was the pair of rowers, paul 0'donovan and fenton mccarthy winning gold there. paul and his brother gary had one silverback in rio and everybody had high hopes on them and they were big expectations on them coming into the games in ireland and they were able to deliver. it was a brilliant race and has been lovely seeing the reaction back home and we also have a boxer now in the final, kelly harrington from dublin if she is going to go in the gold medal boxing match a potentially two gold medals for ireland, could be a very good 0lympics for us. ireland, could be a very good olympics for us.— ireland, could be a very good olympics for us. indeed, and i can tell that _ olympics for us. indeed, and i can tell that you _ olympics for us. indeed, and i can tell that you are _ olympics for us. indeed, and i can tell that you are very - can tell that you are very excited about that and i wish you the best of luck in ireland as well. sarah in tokyo watching newsday on bbc. you're watching newsday on the bbc. sarah is back talking to an austrian football player and he will not want to miss that.

the question was whether we wanted to save our people and japanese as well and win the war, or whether we wanted to take a chance on being able to win the war by killing all our young men. the invasion began at two o'clock this morning. mr bush, like most other people, was clearly caught by surprise. we call for the immediate i and unconditional withdrawal of all iraqi forces. 100 years old and still full of vigour, vitality and enjoyment of life. no other king or queen in british history has lived so long, and the queen mother is said to be quietly very pleased indeed that she's achieved this landmark anniversary. this is a pivotal moment for the church as an international movement. the question now is whether the american vote will lead to a split in the anglican community.

this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. 0ur headlines — fierce fighting in southern afghanistan as the fight to drive back to tell a man's part spheres of a humanitarian crisis. one of the world's great footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona after more than 20 years. let's return now to the olympics and sarah mulkerrins in tokyo. let's go back to the olympics now and talk to mariko 0i who's in tokyo for us. i understand quarter past the hour this morning marks that the us dropped the atomic bomb on mishima and there would have been pleased to have the ioc market with a moment of silence but that is not happening, is it? ., ., ., ,

but that is not happening, is it? ., ., but that is not happening, is it? no, and as you said that at 8:15am local _ it? no, and as you said that at 8:15am localtime, _ it? no, and as you said that at 8:15am local time, exactly - it? no, and as you said that at 8:15am local time, exactly 76| 8:15am local time, exactly 76 years ago, the world's first—ever atomic bomb was dropped on on mishima, killing about 1a0,000 people but of course many others also suffered from side effects and so on. now thomas bach visited hiroshima before the games started and the mayor asked the ioc to pause the competition for a minute of silence but the ioc turned to that request, though it said that it will make a mention of hiroshima and nagasaki during the closing ceremony which will take place on sunday. but there has been an online petition gathering tens of thousands of signatures, and as you can imagine, a bit of disappointment and anger among residents of hiroshima, especially because of what the olympics are supposed to symbolise, but critics have started saying that because the

olympics have forged ahead 0lympics have forged ahead despite the pandemic, its critics would argue that it is no longer about world peace but has become about making money. in terms of the calls for a moment of silence to be heard, how far has that gone in terms that position? the how far has that gone in terms that position?— how far has that gone in terms that position? the petition has been gathering _ that position? the petition has been gathering tens _ that position? the petition has been gathering tens of- been gathering tens of thousands of signatures but the ioc has said that because of some competitions that are taking place as we speak which could not be paused and that was the official reason for declining the mayor posit request to order a minute of silence but that is why a lot of people have been saying that they have to at least market in they have to at least market in the closing ceremony. we don't know obviously how they are going to do that, but obviously it is not exactly happening on the most significant day for many people on hiroshima. thank

ou. let's return now to the olympics and sarah mulkerrins in tokyo. the australian women's softball team were the first overseas 0lympics team to arrive injapan onjune1st. you have someone for us to talk to who is exciting, have you not? ~ ., .., not? we do. i recall in the build on — not? we do. i recall in the build up to _ not? we do. i recall in the build up to the _ not? we do. i recall in the build up to the games - build up to the games interviewing some athletes who were _ interviewing some athletes who were heading out to the tokyo ganoes— were heading out to the tokyo games and having to quarantine and so _ games and having to quarantine and so it's— games and having to quarantine and so it's going to be so interesting to see how they have — interesting to see how they have now found that experience two months on. let's bring in the australian softball or who joins— the australian softball or who joins us— the australian softball or who joins us on the programme. you are now— joins us on the programme. you are now back in australia and having — are now back in australia and having to _ are now back in australia and having to do more quarantine. this— having to do more quarantine. this is— having to do more quarantine. this is kind _ having to do more quarantine. this is kind of two months of living — this is kind of two months of living in— this is kind of two months of living in a _ this is kind of two months of living in a bubble for you. how have _ living in a bubble for you. how have you — living in a bubble for you. how have you found that all? it has kind of been _ have you found that all? it has kind of been a _ have you found that all? it has kind of been a whirlwind - have you found that all? it has kind of been a whirlwind of - have you found that all? it hasj kind of been a whirlwind of the two months _ kind of been a whirlwind of the two months that _ kind of been a whirlwind of the two months that we _ kind of been a whirlwind of the two months that we have - kind of been a whirlwind of the two months that we have been kind of been a whirlwind of the . two months that we have been in the bible — two months that we have been in the bible actually _ two months that we have been in the bible actually came _ two months that we have been in the bible actually came in - two months that we have been in the bible actually came in so - two months that we have been in the bible actually came in so i. the bible actually came in so i have — the bible actually came in so i have adjusted _ the bible actually came in so i have adjusted the _ the bible actually came in so i have adjusted the seven - the bible actually came in so i have adjusted the seven day i have adjusted the seven day mark —

have adjusted the seven day mark and _ have adjusted the seven day mark and hotel— have adjusted the seven day mark and hotel quarantine l have adjusted the seven day i mark and hotel quarantine back in australia _ mark and hotel quarantine back in australia and _ mark and hotel quarantine back in australia and seven - mark and hotel quarantine back in australia and seven more - in australia and seven more days— in australia and seven more days to _ in australia and seven more days to go _ in australia and seven more days to go— days to go. we all do those countdowns, _ days to go. we all do those countdowns, don't - days to go. we all do those countdowns, don't wait, i days to go. we all do those i countdowns, don't wait, seven days— countdowns, don't wait, seven days to — countdowns, don't wait, seven days to go. _ countdowns, don't wait, seven days to go, six days ago and i wondered _ days to go, six days ago and i wondered for you you are the first— wondered for you you are the first team _ wondered for you you are the first team to arrive at the olympics back onjune first team to arrive at the olympics back on june the 1st. how— olympics back on june the 1st. how did — olympics back on june the 1st. how did you find being there? did you — how did you find being there? did you find it more as a team committed to help you enjoy your— committed to help you enjoy your kind of team experience more — your kind of team experience more and _ your kind of team experience more and not being able to do all the — more and not being able to do all the usual stuff that you would? _ all the usual stuff that you would? ~ ., ., , , would? we found ourselves hanuain would? we found ourselves hanging out _ would? we found ourselves hanging out with _ would? we found ourselves hanging out with each - would? we found ourselvesj hanging out with each other would? we found ourselves l hanging out with each other a lot more _ hanging out with each other a lot more we _ hanging out with each other a lot more. we still— hanging out with each other a lot more. we still had - hanging out with each other a lot more. we still had our- lot more. we still had our own space — lot more. we still had our own space in— lot more. we still had our own space in our— lot more. we still had our own space in our own _ lot more. we still had our own space in our own rooms- lot more. we still had our own space in our own rooms we - space in our own rooms we were hanging _ space in our own rooms we were hanging in — space in our own rooms we were hanging in core _ space in our own rooms we were hanging in core doors, _ space in our own rooms we were hanging in core doors, hanging i hanging in core doors, hanging inthe— hanging in core doors, hanging in the gym _ hanging in core doors, hanging in the gym and _ hanging in core doors, hanging in the gym and playing - hanging in core doors, hanging in the gym and playing table i in the gym and playing table tennis— in the gym and playing table tennis against— in the gym and playing table tennis against each - in the gym and playing table tennis against each other i in the gym and playing tablel tennis against each other and we had — tennis against each other and we had a _ tennis against each other and we had a few— tennis against each other and we had a few trivia _ tennis against each other and we had a few trivia nights i tennis against each other and j we had a few trivia nights and 'ust we had a few trivia nights and just enjoyed _ we had a few trivia nights and just enjoyed each _ we had a few trivia nights and just enjoyed each other's i just enjoyed each other's company— just enjoyed each other's company a _ just enjoyed each other's company a lot _ just enjoyed each other's company a lot more. it l just enjoyed each other's i company a lot more. it was just enjoyed each other's - company a lot more. it was kind of nice _ company a lot more. it was kind of nice to — company a lot more. it was kind of nice to he _ company a lot more. it was kind of nice to be included _ company a lot more. it was kind of nice to be included in - company a lot more. it was kind of nice to be included in a - of nice to be included in a bubble _ of nice to be included in a bubble and _ of nice to be included in a bubble and just _ of nice to be included in a bubble and just enjoy- of nice to be included in a| bubble and just enjoy that exuerience _ bubble and just enjoy that experience together- bubble and just enjoy that experience together and i bubble and just enjoy that i experience together and not be distracted — experience together and not be distracted lry— experience together and not be distracted by anything. - experience together and not be distracted by anything. find i experience together and not be distracted by anything.- distracted by anything. and in terms of the _ distracted by anything. and in terms of the action _ distracted by anything. and in terms of the action at - distracted by anything. and in terms of the action at the i terms of the action at the olympics i know it did not quite _ olympics i know it did not quite go _ olympics i know it did not quite go the way that you would have _ quite go the way that you would have been hoping for australia. what _ have been hoping for australia. what are — have been hoping for australia.

what are your reflections on the performance? we what are your reflections on the performance?— the performance? we give everything _ the performance? we give everything we _ the performance? we give everything we had - the performance? we give everything we had at i the performance? we give everything we had at the l the performance? we give i everything we had at the time. we stepped _ everything we had at the time. we stepped up _ everything we had at the time. we stepped up to— everything we had at the time. we stepped up to the - everything we had at the time. we stepped up to the bar- everything we had at the time. we stepped up to the bar and i we stepped up to the bar and all the — we stepped up to the bar and all the other— we stepped up to the bar and all the other teams— we stepped up to the bar and all the other teams or- we stepped up to the bar and all the other teams or some i we stepped up to the bar and | all the other teams or some of the other— all the other teams or some of the other teams— all the other teams or some of the other teamsjust _ all the other teams or some of the other teams just stepped i the other teams just stepped over— the other teams just stepped over us— the other teams just stepped over us and _ the other teams just stepped over us and i— the other teams just stepped over us and i guess - the other teams just stepped over us and i guess that's i the other teams just stepped | over us and i guess that's the way— over us and i guess that's the way sport— over us and i guess that's the way sport roles _ over us and i guess that's the way sport roles sometimes. i way sport roles sometimes. sometimes _ way sport roles sometimes. sometimes it's— way sport roles sometimes. sometimes it's your- way sport roles sometimes. sometimes it's your day i way sport roles sometimes. | sometimes it's your day and sometimes _ sometimes it's your day and sometimes it's— sometimes it's your day and sometimes it's not- sometimes it's your day and sometimes it's not that i sometimes it's your day and sometimes it's not that we i sometimes it's your day and i sometimes it's not that we just know— sometimes it's not that we just know that _ sometimes it's not that we just know that we _ sometimes it's not that we just know that we give _ sometimes it's not that we just know that we give everything l sometimes it's not that we just. know that we give everything we had at _ know that we give everything we had at the — know that we give everything we had at the time _ know that we give everything we had at the time and _ know that we give everything we had at the time and that's - know that we give everything we had at the time and that's what. had at the time and that's what we can— had at the time and that's what we can reflect _ had at the time and that's what we can reflect on _ had at the time and that's what we can reflect on it— had at the time and that's what we can reflect on it we - had at the time and that's what we can reflect on it we can i we can reflect on it we can just— we can reflect on it we can just look— we can reflect on it we can just look at— we can reflect on it we can just look at each _ we can reflect on it we can just look at each individual performance _ just look at each individual performance and - just look at each individual performance and how- just look at each individual performance and how to i just look at each individual- performance and how to better ourselves — performance and how to better ourselves next _ performance and how to better ourselves next time _ performance and how to better ourselves next time for- performance and how to better ourselves next time for what'sl ourselves next time for what's to come — ourselves next time for what's to come in— ourselves next time for what's to come in seven _ ourselves next time for what's to come in seven years - ourselves next time for what's to come in seven years for- ourselves next time for what's to come in seven years for us. and _ to come in seven years for us. and in— to come in seven years for us. and in terms— to come in seven years for us. and in terms of— to come in seven years for us. and in terms of the _ to come in seven years for us. and in terms of the olympicsl and in terms of the olympics here, — and in terms of the olympics here, talking to a lot of athletes in hearing from them, athletes in hearing from them, a lot— athletes in hearing from them, a lot seemed to be quite positive that these games happened. we know they have a delayed — happened. we know they have a delayed a — happened. we know they have a delayed a year. do you feel it's a — delayed a year. do you feel it's a good thing for you athletes that you got to have the olympic experience? | athletes that you got to have the olympic experience? i think it's great- _ the olympic experience? i think it's great- i _ the olympic experience? i think it's great. i can _ the olympic experience? i think it's great. i can only _ the olympic experience? i think it's great. i can only thank i it's great. i can only thank the — it's great. i can only thank the japanese _ it's great. i can only thank the japanese people - it's great. i can only thank the japanese people came it's great. i can only thank. the japanese people came of it's great. i can only thank- the japanese people came of the ioc the japanese people came of the ioc cam — the japanese people came of the ioc cam of— the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the _ the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the j _ the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the] of— the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the] of c— the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the] of c and - the japanese people came of the ioc cam of the] of c and the i ioc cam of the] of c and the aoc— ioc cam of the] of c and the aoc for— ioc cam of the] of c and the aoc for allowing _ ioc cam of the] of c and the aoc for allowing us - ioc cam of the] of c and the

aoc for allowing us to - aoc for allowing us to compete in these — aoc for allowing us to compete in these olympic _ aoc for allowing us to compete in these olympic games, - in these olympic games, especially— in these olympic games, especially for— in these olympic games, especially for softball i in these olympic games, i especially for softball we've been — especially for softball we've been waiting _ especially for softball we've been waiting 13 _ especially for softball we've been waiting 13 years - especially for softball we've been waiting 13 years to i especially for softball we've i been waiting 13 years to have our shot— been waiting 13 years to have our shot there. _ been waiting 13 years to have our shot there. so _ been waiting 13 years to have our shot there. so to - been waiting 13 years to have our shot there. so to be i been waiting 13 years to have our shot there. so to be able j our shot there. so to be able to be — our shot there. so to be able to be able _ our shot there. so to be able to be able to _ our shot there. so to be able to be able to compete - our shot there. so to be able to be able to compete in i our shot there. so to be able to be able to compete in the | to be able to compete in the olympics_ to be able to compete in the olympics during _ to be able to compete in the olympics during a _ to be able to compete in the olympics during a worldwide pandemic— olympics during a worldwide pandemic and— olympics during a worldwide pandemic and to _ olympics during a worldwide pandemic and to feel- olympics during a worldwide pandemic and to feel so i olympics during a worldwidej pandemic and to feel so safe olympics during a worldwide i pandemic and to feel so safe in that bubble. _ pandemic and to feel so safe in that bubble, we _ pandemic and to feel so safe in that bubble, we can— pandemic and to feel so safe in that bubble, we can only- pandemic and to feel so safe in that bubble, we can only thank| that bubble, we can only thank all the — that bubble, we can only thank all the organisers— that bubble, we can only thank all the organisers and - that bubble, we can only thank all the organisers and people l all the organisers and people that put— all the organisers and people that put on— all the organisers and people that put on this _ all the organisers and people that put on this for _ all the organisers and people that put on this for us - all the organisers and people that put on this for us was i all the organisers and people that put on this for us was of| that put on this for us was of it was— that put on this for us was of it was an _ that put on this for us was of it was an incredible - it was an incredible experience. - it was an incredible experience.- it was an incredible experience. it was an incredible exerience. ,, ., , experience. see you have seven more days _ experience. see you have seven more days to — experience. see you have seven more days to go _ experience. see you have seven more days to go in _ experience. see you have seven more days to go in your- more days to go in your quarantine back in australia. what — quarantine back in australia. what is _ quarantine back in australia. what is the plans after that? after— what is the plans after that? after that, so i get about a week— after that, so i get about a week and _ after that, so i get about a week and half— after that, so i get about a week and half back - after that, so i get about a week and half back in i after that, so i get about a i week and half back in australia and then— week and half back in australia and then i_ week and half back in australia and then i actually— week and half back in australia and then i actually had - week and half back in australia and then i actually had to i week and half back in australia and then i actually had tojump back— and then i actually had tojump back on— and then i actually had tojump back on a — and then i actually had tojump back on a plane _ and then i actually had tojump back on a plane to _ and then i actually had tojump back on a plane to go - and then i actually had tojump back on a plane to go back i and then i actually had tojump back on a plane to go back to l back on a plane to go back to my professional— back on a plane to go back to my professionaljob- back on a plane to go back to my professionaljob back i back on a plane to go back to| my professionaljob back over injapan _ my professionaljob back over injapan we _ my professionaljob back over injapan. we had— my professionaljob back over injapan. we had the - my professionaljob back over injapan. we had the second. injapan. we had the second half— injapan. we had the second half the _ injapan. we had the second half the season _ injapan. we had the second half the season prepare i injapan. we had the second half the season prepare for, | injapan. we had the second i half the season prepare for, so we are — half the season prepare for, so we are going _ half the season prepare for, so we are going to— half the season prepare for, so we are going to have _ half the season prepare for, so we are going to have a - half the season prepare for, so we are going to have a week. half the season prepare for, so. we are going to have a week and a half— we are going to have a week and a half is — we are going to have a week and a half is in— we are going to have a week and a half is in the _ we are going to have a week and a half is in the winter in - a half is in the winter in the back— a half is in the winter in the back on— a half is in the winter in the back on the _ a half is in the winter in the back on the plane - a half is in the winter in the back on the plane to - a half is in the winter in the back on the plane to japanl a half is in the winter in the i back on the plane to japan to be with— back on the plane to japan to be with my— back on the plane to japan to be with my team _ back on the plane to japan to be with my team again. i back on the plane to japan to be with my team again. thank ou so be with my team again. thank you so much _ be with my team again. thank you so much talking _ be with my team again. thank you so much talking to - be with my team again. thank you so much talking to us i be with my team again. thank you so much talking to us and| you so much talking to us and all the — you so much talking to us and all the best and enjoy that family— all the best and enjoy that family time and then enjoy competing. appreciate your time — competing. appreciate your time. . ~ competing. appreciate your time. p, , .

time. thank you very much. reau time. thank you very much. really interesting _ time. thank you very much. really interesting getting i time. thank you very much. | really interesting getting an athlete perspective on all this was that— athlete perspective on all this was that we've been talking about — was that we've been talking about the elliptic for so long, then— about the elliptic for so long, then being delayed and then ultimately you do get that feeling from the athletes that they were glad to be able to have — they were glad to be able to have the _ they were glad to be able to have the moment that they could compete — have the moment that they could compete and everything that they— compete and everything that they were working for and that they— they were working for and that they were working for and that they were able to make it happen— they were able to make it happen so i think from an athlete _ happen so i think from an athlete one of view it's been a success — athlete one of view it's been a success. ~ , ,., y athlete one of view it's been a success. ~ , ,., , ., , success. absolutely and 'ust talkinu success. absolutely and 'ust talking to i success. absolutely and 'ust talking to you i success. absolutely and 'ust talking to you every i success. absolutely and 'ust talking to you every day h success. absolutely and just talking to you every day has| talking to you every day has been such an education about the olympics for me. i have been so for the fact that away from the pandemic, this has been a really milestone for the olympics in terms of addressing issues like mental health for example when we talk about some mobilesjust a few example when we talk about some mobiles just a few days ago. do you think there will be replicated in other sports and other big events like this going forward? i other big events like this going forward?— other big events like this going forward? i think it's been a huge _ going forward? i think it's been a huge watershed i going forward? i think it's - been a huge watershed moment. the fact— been a huge watershed moment. the fact that we had the likes of some — the fact that we had the likes of some mobiles, naomi osaka, adam _ of some mobiles, naomi osaka, adam peaty in great britain, so

many _ adam peaty in great britain, so many big — adam peaty in great britain, so many big top level global superstars raising these conversations. and creating maybe _ conversations. and creating maybe more chances for those out of — maybe more chances for those out of the _ maybe more chances for those out of the spotlight to be able to go— out of the spotlight to be able to go to — out of the spotlight to be able to go to their coaches and say i'm not— to go to their coaches and say i'm not quite there mentally the moment and i may be struggling a little bit and people are starting to realise that this _ people are starting to realise that this is something that athletes experience and that they— athletes experience and that they go— athletes experience and that they go through and they are not superhuman and that they are the — not superhuman and that they are the same as all of us in terms _ are the same as all of us in terms of— are the same as all of us in terms of mental health concerns and protecting their well—being. and i think when you have _ well—being. and i think when you have such powerful advocates like some mobiles making — advocates like some mobiles making a statement like she did on the _ making a statement like she did on the biggest global platform at the — on the biggest global platform at the olympic games, i think it will— at the olympic games, i think it will surely help change the narrative _ it will surely help change the narrative and perhaps make it easier— narrative and perhaps make it easier for— narrative and perhaps make it easier for younger athletes coming _ easier for younger athletes coming through or those not in the spotlight to be able to talk — the spotlight to be able to talk to _ the spotlight to be able to talk to their coaches, their friends, _ talk to their coaches, their friends, their families about that— friends, their families about that and _ friends, their families about that and to maybe just kind of -et that and to maybe just kind of get them to check in with themselves if they are not enjoying things the way that they— enjoying things the way that they should be. i think there's a real— they should be. i think there's a real opportunity for sport to

learn — a real opportunity for sport to learn from and to continue to put the — learn from and to continue to put the processes in place to slwort— put the processes in place to support them behind the scenes. and just — support them behind the scenes. and just briefly, i know that this is something that you are going be remembering for a very long time. 2024, will you be there for us?— long time. 2024, will you be there for us? fingers crossed if ou there for us? fingers crossed if you have — there for us? fingers crossed if you have become _ there for us? fingers crossed i if you have become absolutely. would — if you have become absolutely. would love to.— would love to. you are the best. thank _ would love to. you are the best. thank you _ would love to. you are the best. thank you so - would love to. you are the best. thank you so much l best. thank you so much for joining us here on newsday and hopefully she will be there for us in 2024. a way from the olympics, there is another aquatic sport event that is really going to get people in a flap of some of the annual rubber duck derby got under when competitors plunge from the columbus bridge in chicago and no less than 65,000 of the bath toys are taking part. there is no need to worry about pollution. they are used in different cities around the country and you can seep then they're having such a wonderful time in those waters, cute little rubber ducky. that's it

for me. thanks much forjoining us on newsday. see un the next hour. hello. lots of talk about heavy showers in this forecast, but it is important to point out it won't be raining all the time. there will be some drier, sunnier moments, too, but, yes, some areas on friday will be dealing with heavy, even intense thundery downpours, particularly across northern parts of the uk. whereas further south, there'll still be some heavy showers to contend with, but they'll tend to move through more quickly. more in the way of sunshine, more of the day dry compared with to the north, because to the southern flank of this area of low pressure which has come in, the winds are strongest, so the showers move through more quickly. but if you're close to the centre of this area of low pressure — that's really across scotland, northern ireland, northern england, north wales, too — the showers just hang around for longer, the rain totals mount and these intense downpours could well cause some flooding and some disruption in some spots.

parts of eastern scotland will be dealing with more persistent rain here. again, rain totals mounting with a risk of flooding. still some sunny spells in between the heavy showers, but with the stronger winds across south wales and southern england — these are average speeds, maybe gusting 40—45 mph — the showers will tend to move through more quickly. and there may be some places that avoid them altogether, and more in the way of sunshine to end the day here as well. up to around 22 in east anglia. most places not getting that high. you can see the swirl of winds and the circulation of the showers around this area of low pressure continuing, then, on through friday night and into saturday morning. temperatures holding up into the mid to low teens. nothing really changes on saturday. for the bulk of the uk, there'll be some sunshine around at times, but there'll be heavy, thundery showers. looks like, though, there is a greater chance of picking up some heavy and thundery showers across southern areas compared with friday. and as for temperatures, well, some spots just creeping into the low 20s, though many won't.

and then on sunday, well, the area of low pressure's still here. it looks to be centred close to scotland. this is where there could well be the most prolonged thundery downpours, but you can see they're flaring up elsewhere across the uk. but it may well be towards south wales and southern england that we're back to a picture of fewer showers and more in the way of sunny spells. this area of low pressure looks to finally get out of the way by tuesday to allow us a couple of fine days before another area of low pressure comes in later next week.

this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour as newsday continues straight after hardtop. —— hardtop. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. those of us lucky enough to live in countries where 70%+ of the adult population have been double vaccinated against covid might be tempted to think we can relax our guard. but the pandemic isn't over and the global vaccine roll—out still faces enormous challenges. my guest is professor sir andrew pollard, a key