this is bbc news. the headlines at 12.003m: great britain'sjoe chung has won the gold medal in the men's modern pentathlon on the 15th day at the tokyo olympics. gold medal number 2a team gb. the first gold of the day for team gb goes to goes to galal yafai, beating carlo paalam from the philippines in the flyweight boxing. success in the pool, with tom daley taking the bronze in the 10m platform diving — his second medal of the games. china's cao yuan took the gold. britain's matt walls and ethan hayter took aim medal in the

cycling. the united states and britain urge their remaining citizens in afghanistan to leave immediately because of the worsening security situation. we are extremely concerned about the safety and security of people in cities under taliban attacks and what brutality would await them. a volunteer firefighter has died as wildfire spread crossbreed greece, with residents moved from their homes across athens. the end of most coronavirus restrictions in wales — no more limits on meeting indoors and an end to rules on social distancing. hello and welcome if you are watching in the uk. team gb have got two more goals on day 15 of the

olympic games. galal yafai won gold in the flyweight division, britain's first in the weight class since 1956. he beat carlo from the philippines. and in the last few minutes, joe chung won gold in the men's modern pentathlon, giving a clean sweep in the tokyo olympics after the women's event on friday. tom daley has won a second medal in the diving, taking bronze in the men's ten metre platform to add to his gold earlier in the games. with four medals, the 27—year—old becomes britain's most successful olympic diver. elsewhere the team have done it again. team usa have won their fourth straight basketball olympic gold, beating france in a tense final. 20 goals and 60 medals so far in tokyo for a team gb, making it their second—best performance at an overseas olympics and we can speak now to the ceo of uk sport, sally mundy. another great session for team gb. as the games draw to a close, what is your assessment of

the tokyo performances? it close, what is your assessment of the tokyo performances?- close, what is your assessment of the tokyo performances? it has 'ust been fantastic, fl the tokyo performances? it has 'ust been fantastic, hasn't it? i the tokyo performances? it has 'ust been fantastic, hasn't it? ii the tokyo performances? it has 'ust been fantastic, hasn't it? i haveh been fantastic, hasn't it? i have just returned from tokyo, actually, and i am still injapanese time, still watching live the incredible performances of our athletes and they have just created so many... of importance, i think, they have just created so many... of importance, ithink, that they have just created so many... of importance, i think, that havejust inspired the country and may people getting up in the morning really looking forward to getting up and turning on their tvs or listening to the radios to hear the latest draft of success achieved. it the radios to hear the latest draft of success achieved.— the radios to hear the latest draft of success achieved. it certainly is the buzz around _ of success achieved. it certainly is the buzz around this _ of success achieved. it certainly is the buzz around this olympic- of success achieved. it certainly is i the buzz around this olympic games, that many predicted may not happen with the restrictions in place in tokyo. it is worth reminding our viewers at the royal uk sport plays within the olympics.— within the olympics. yes, so our role is to provide _ within the olympics. yes, so our role is to provide investment - role is to provide investment support into sport to enable them to wrap support and environment around the athletes to enable them to

achieve their ambitions and we fund about 50 sports, and it enables us to really support athletes to give them the best chance of getting out to olympic or paralympic games and putting in these performances, these extraordinary performances that are just making us all feel so proud. so look, a buzz around team gb and they got off to a flying start, five medals in the first five days. there has been some disappointment into top funded sports like the rowing, for example. what does that mean for those sports in particular? irate for example. what does that mean for those sports in particular?— those sports in particular? we take a rebalanced _ those sports in particular? we take a rebalanced approach _ those sports in particular? we take a rebalanced approach to _ those sports in particular? we take a rebalanced approach to reflecting the sport's performances. our investment model is actually about future potential, not about what has been. i know that the rowing team will be disappointed, as will british rowing and they will be looking at what is it they could have done differently, if anything, to affect those performances, but we shouldn't lose sight of with a sport like rowing is that whilst they had

to medals, they had 6/4—place finishes, eight teams qualified for finals, which matches any other country in the world, and they will be looking and reflecting on what is it they can do over the next few years as we head towards paris to turn those fourth places into medal positions. although sports will be doing an annual review after the games, looking at what they have done and what they are looking for in the future and they will sit down with each of the sport and look at their plans through to paris and beyond. fin their plans through to paris and be ond. . , ., their plans through to paris and be ond. ., i. ., ., . ., beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it. — beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it. but _ beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it, but what _ beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it, but what do _ beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it, but what do these - beyond. on that, you have touched on some of it, but what do these games. some of it, but what do these games and team gb�*s efforts mean for sport in the uk? may be a grass—roots level of those sports? 50 in the uk? may be a grass-roots level of those sports?— level of those sports? so we are takin: a level of those sports? so we are taking a really — level of those sports? so we are taking a really holistic _ level of those sports? so we are taking a really holistic approach | taking a really holistic approach with sports. we really want to use these incredible medal winning moments to have a really positive impact on society and whether that is through inspiring people to get involved in participation in sport,

whether it is about to get people getting involved in sustainability issues, which some of their athletes have been highlighting, all around promoting diversity and inclusion. i know you are also following today a really exciting event going on in glasgow around cycling and how performances in tokyo are inspiring families to get active and enjoy healthier lifestyles up there ahead of us bringing one of the biggest events that has ever been brought to scotland, which is the 2023 uci world cycling championships, so i know that from our point of view we are really keen to see how we can utilise these incredible performances and moments to have a positive impact on people getting up and getting active and we see that through a variety of sources and... just take helen glover, one of our incredible rowing team, who whilst she didn't medal, her story of being a three—time mum and being able to

come back and perform at this level, i know, has provided incredible inspiration to mums about actually getting up and doing things, so it is very important to us that we utilise these moments to have an inspirational effect on people in our country. inspirational effect on people in our country-— inspirational effect on people in ourcount , ., ., our country. absolutely. not long left in the olympics _ our country. absolutely. not long left in the olympics for— our country. absolutely. not long left in the olympics for team - our country. absolutely. not long left in the olympics for team gb. j left in the olympics for team gb. predictions for any more goals? film. predictions for any more goals? oh, cosh, we predictions for any more goals? oh, gosh. we have _ predictions for any more goals? oi gosh, we have still predictions for any more goals? o11, gosh, we have still got predictions for any more goals? 01, gosh, we have still got quite a lot to go in terms of cycling, equestrian and tomorrow i recommend anybody to get up and watch lower in price in the boxing gold medal match. she has been incredible and they really fascinating back story, with lauren price, in terms of the backs story of the sport she has been successful in, and i have been following her rounds to the final, really excited to see her but billie boxing match tomorrow and still plenty to look forward to in the next 2a or 48 hours plenty to look forward to in the next 24 or 48 hours and i have no

doubt we will see some more models, and team gb�*s direction. you doubt we will see some more models, and team gb's direction.— and team gb's direction. you stay on that ja an and team gb's direction. you stay on that japan time _ and team gb's direction. you stay on that japan time for _ and team gb's direction. you stay on that japan time for now, _ and team gb's direction. you stay on that japan time for now, sally - thatjapan time for now, sally munday from uk sport, and many thanks forjoining us on bbc news. britain have won another medal in track cycling the silver in the men's madison. ethan hayter and matt walls finished second in the 200 metre lap place, and matt walls finished second in tokyo following on from his gold in the omnium. they were beaten to gold by the danish pair, who won fame won their second olympic medal 12 years on from winning a silver in beijing. we can speak to ethan hayter�*s dad, tim, and his mum, nikki, whojoin us both now. thanks forjoining us, you too must be proud. irate now. thanks for “oining us, you too must be proud.— must be proud. we are! we are deliahted must be proud. we are! we are delighted for — must be proud. we are! we are delighted for them _ must be proud. we are! we are delighted for them both. - must be proud. we are! we are delighted for them both. they i must be proud. we are! we are - delighted for them both. they have been friends for a long time, they are flatmates now and it is fantastic_ are flatmates now and it is fantastic to see them turn their dreams— fantastic to see them turn their dreams into reality.— fantastic to see them turn their| dreams into reality.- what dreams into reality. yeah. what effort is required _

dreams into reality. yeah. what effort is required to _ dreams into reality. yeah. what effort is required to get - dreams into reality. yeah. what effort is required to get to - dreams into reality. yeah. what effort is required to get to thatl effort is required to get to that level? obviously you know your son very well, so maybe you can give us an insight into what it is taken for him to get the medal today? mine him to get the medal today? nine ears him to get the medal today? nine years since _ him to get the medal today? nine years since he _ him to get the medal today? nine years since he started _ him to get the medal today? nine years since he started cycling, half a dozen _ years since he started cycling, half a dozen broken bones... hours and hours _ a dozen broken bones... hours and hours and — a dozen broken bones... hours and hours and hours of training on the track, _ hours and hours of training on the track, on — hours and hours of training on the track, on the road, indoors... it is a really— track, on the road, indoors... it is a really hard — track, on the road, indoors... it is a really hard sport. you put in a lot of— a really hard sport. you put in a lot of hours. _ a really hard sport. you put in a lot of hours, a lot of effort, but, you know. — lot of hours, a lot of effort, but, you know, sometimes you see the rewards _ you know, sometimes you see the rewards. �* ., , ., . ., ., rewards. and to you, nicky, how hard is it as a family _ rewards. and to you, nicky, how hard is it as a family not _ rewards. and to you, nicky, how hard is it as a family not having _ rewards. and to you, nicky, how hard is it as a family not having the - is it as a family not having the chance to be there tokyo to watch that achievement? fih. chance to be there tokyo to watch that achievement?— that achievement? oh, it is really hard. we made _ that achievement? oh, it is really hard. we made our— that achievement? oh, it is really hard. we made our peace - that achievement? oh, it is really hard. we made our peace with . that achievement? oh, it is really hard. we made our peace with it| hard. we made our peace with it quite a long time ago because we realised we were not going to be able to be there, but, you know, it is what it is this year. we are just so thrilled that the games are on and that he is able to compete after sort of, you know, this was all of their goals, you know, notjust

cycling, but in every event it was... they have all the work towards it and it is so fantastic that the games on and, you know, we are in spain. we have been watching it on our phones. spanish tv didn't cover it! so we have been watching it on our phones, it has just been amazing. it on our phones, it has 'ust been amazinu. , ., it on our phones, it has 'ust been amazinu. , . ., i. it on our phones, it has 'ust been amazin.. , . . , ., . . amazing. yes, and have you had much communication — amazing. yes, and have you had much communication with _ amazing. yes, and have you had much communication with him? _ amazing. yes, and have you had much communication with him? because - amazing. yes, and have you had much communication with him? because we| communication with him? because we have been hearing from lots of families of the athletes say they just go into the zone prior to the race of the event. lilo. just go into the zone prior to the race of the event.— just go into the zone prior to the race of the event. no, he has been callin: us race of the event. no, he has been calling us every _ race of the event. no, he has been calling us every day, _ race of the event. no, he has been calling us every day, more - race of the event. no, he has been calling us every day, more or - race of the event. no, he has been calling us every day, more or less. calling us every day, more or less andm _ calling us every day, more or less and... �* , , , . , calling us every day, more or less and... , he and... and sending us pictures. he called us just _ and... and sending us pictures. he called usjust now _ and... and sending us pictures. he called us just now after _ and... and sending us pictures. he called usjust now after the - and... and sending us pictures. he called us just now after the event | called usjust now after the event to show_ called usjust now after the event to show us— called usjust now after the event to show us the medal, so he has been keeping _ to show us the medal, so he has been keeping in _ to show us the medal, so he has been keeping in touch. there is a lot of downtime — keeping in touch. there is a lot of downtime in between the events, so it has— downtime in between the events, so it has been_ downtime in between the events, so it has been great to hear from him as so— it has been great to hear from him as so often — it has been great to hear from him as so often-— it has been great to hear from him as so often. you mentioned you are in sain, as so often. you mentioned you are in spain. so — as so often. you mentioned you are in spain, so maybe _ as so often. you mentioned you are in spain, so maybe this _ as so often. you mentioned you are in spain, so maybe this question i in spain, so maybe this question doesn't apply, but we have seen some great airport reunions post the olympics from some of these athletes. what would you have plans for his return as well, the rest of the family are staying in spain

until... ~ , ., until... when is it? i am coming back tomorrow— until... when is it? i am coming back tomorrow and _ until... when is it? i am coming back tomorrow and i'm - until... when is it? i am coming back tomorrow and i'm going i until... when is it? i am coming back tomorrow and i'm going to | until... when is it? i am coming i back tomorrow and i'm going to be until... when is it? i am coming - back tomorrow and i'm going to be at heathrow— back tomorrow and i'm going to be at heathrow on — back tomorrow and i'm going to be at heathrow on monday. 30 back tomorrow and i'm going to be at heathrow on monday.— back tomorrow and i'm going to be at heathrow on monday. so you can make a banner between _ heathrow on monday. so you can make a banner between now— heathrow on monday. so you can make a banner between now and _ heathrow on monday. so you can make a banner between now and then? - heathrow on monday. so you can make a banner between now and then? yes, | a banner between now and then? yes, ma be! a banner between now and then? yes, maybe! i'm — a banner between now and then? yes, maybe! i'm not— a banner between now and then? yes, maybe! i'm not sure _ a banner between now and then? yes, maybe! i'm not sure i've _ a banner between now and then? yes, maybe! i'm not sure i've got time, but it_ maybe! i'm not sure i've got time, but it will— maybe! i'm not sure i've got time, but it will he — maybe! i'm not sure i've got time, but it will be lovely to see him in person — but it will be lovely to see him in erson. , ,., person. there will be something. the will person. there will be something. they will be _ person. there will be something. they will be something _ person. there will be something. they will be something special i person. there will be something. | they will be something special for sure. , , they will be something special for sure. , ., , they will be something special for sure. , . , ., ., sure. just finally, what next for ethan? now — sure. just finally, what next for ethan? now he _ sure. just finally, what next for ethan? now he has _ sure. just finally, what next for ethan? now he has achieved i sure. just finally, what next for i ethan? now he has achieved this, what next for him a full—time rider for ineos, so next he is in no way and then the track world championships and the road world championships, the cycling does not stop. nicky and tim, thank you very much forjoining us. enjoy the rest of your time much forjoining us. enjoy the rest of yourtime in much forjoining us. enjoy the rest of your time in spain and if you speakto him, of your time in spain and if you speak to him, congratulate your son for us. we speak to him, congratulate your son for us. ~ ., speak to him, congratulate your son forus. ~ ., . for us. we will, thanks so much. goodbye! _ elsewhere games, a german coach has been thrown out of the olympics for appearing to punch a horse who was refusing to jump appearing to punch a horse who was refusing tojump or appearing to punch a horse who was refusing to jump or trot during the modern pentathlon. the coach, kim

eisler, was heard on gmtv urging the athlete, anneka, to really hit the horse, which she was struggling to control during the showjumping control during the show jumping round control during the showjumping round on friday's event. athletes are given just 20 minutes to bond with a horse they have never ridden before. modern pentathlon's governing body, the un pike pm, said it saw footage that appeared to show the coach striking the host with her fist. let's go to tokyo now and speak to our reporter mariko oi. let's look ahead, all eyes on a baseball later?— baseball later? well, it has actually started. _ baseball later? well, it has actually started. we - baseball later? well, it has actually started. we are i baseball later? well, it has i actually started. we are glued to television. it is between the united states and japan. japan currently leading by one point and if you remember earlier in the weekjapan has actually managed to beat the united state, so a lot of fans now hoping they can do the same. if japan manages to win this this will be the country's first ever gold in

the sport, while the united states would be taking its second gold in the olympics, but i was talking to my colleagues here earlier and everyone is excited about baseball in olympics. mike paramount disagrees and is excited about the swimming at the moment. my parents were having a party at their house, they're excited about the japanese triumph, winning a silver... very strong viewership there at the moment. , ., , ., , ,. moment. the beauty of the olympic games! having _ moment. the beauty of the olympic games! having lots _ moment. the beauty of the olympic games! having lots to _ moment. the beauty of the olympic games! having lots to watch. i moment. the beauty of the olympic| games! having lots to watch. mariko oi, many thanks for that. in two saturday's other menus... and the uk government has urged all british nationals in afghanistan to leave the country, because of worsening violence. taliban fighters have made significant gains in recent weeks, including the capture of one of the country's provincial capitals. the united nations security council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation,

as western forces withdraw from the country. we have got to get involved in trying to make sure there is a political process to help to end what is becoming an appalling situation now very, very quickly, and that means supporting the afghan government, it means stepping up efforts at the united nations, where there is a need for more leadership in order to get parties around the table and get that process back up and running. christopher kolenda is a retired us army colonel who commanded troops in eastern afghanistan before acting as a us representative in talks with the taliban from 2010 to 2012. he's been speaking about the current situation there. it feels very frustrating, quite frankly, to have spent a lot of time on the ground in afghanistan, both in eastern afghanistan as a commander and then later as a senior adviser, and then time there consulting for non—governmental organisations, supporting them. we have all put a lot of energy and a lot of heart and soul into afghanistan and none of us would

have imagined leaving the way the united states reportedly left, sort of in the middle of night, slinking away at bagram. it is frustrating, it is embarrassing and we certainly believe that we would leave afghanistan in a much better condition than it is now. but unforced errors led us on this path. the face of the afghan government that too many afghans have seen has been a predatory and kleptocratic government. i remember talking to some elders from wardak and they looked at me, i said, who do you support? they looked at me and said, we are not on anybody�*s side because nobody is on our side. the government robs us, the taliban beat us and isaf

bombs us, so you tell us who we should support? unfortunately, it is that dilemma many afghans have found themselves in, to the extent of the afghan government has been predatory and kleptocratic, it is driven afghans into the arms of the taliban who are now fighting the afghan government. colonel christopher kolenda on the situation in afghanistan. wildfires have been happening in greece, and two people have died, including one who was hit by a falling electricity pole. thousands of people have been evacuated from the capital and in this village thousands fled as fire boats closed in. the greek prime minister says people are his priority. translation: i people are his priority. tuna/mom- people are his priority. translation: ., ., ., translation: i want to reassure all those affected _ translation: i want to reassure all those affected by _ translation: i want to reassure all those affected by the _ translation: i want to reassure all those affected by the fires _ translation: i want to reassure all those affected by the fires that i those affected by the fires that they are my first priority. all the bad land will be reforested and we will change the way we carry out fire prevention works.—

will change the way we carry out fire prevention works. well, bethany bell is near athens. _ fire prevention works. well, bethany bell is near athens. what _ fire prevention works. well, bethany bell is near athens. what is - fire prevention works. well, bethany bell is near athens. what is the i bell is near athens. what is the latest there with you? what are you hearing from those who are fighting these wildfires?— these wildfires? well, 'ust put you in the picture h these wildfires? well, 'ust put you in the picture where i these wildfires? well, just put you in the picture where we _ these wildfires? well, just put you in the picture where we are - these wildfires? well, just put you in the picture where we are now, | in the picture where we are now, this is the main north—south motorway near athens, but it has been closed for two days because of all the fires that keep breaking out around here. we have seen over the past half an hour or so, helicopters coming back here time and time again, trying to put out the places on these mountainsides. but it is not working at and the strong scorching wins and making things very difficult for the emergency services. international help is on its way, people are trying to do as much as they can, but this is what the authorities are saying is a really unprecedented situation. on the outskirts of athens we know thousands of people have been

evacuated from their houses. in athens and in other parts of greece, on the islands of evia, and we know the situation is very difficult for them. last night we watched as the flames licked down the mountainside towards the house of one man who is standing watching in dismay, saying, what can i do? my house is about to burn. there is a real sense here that the authorities are struggling to keep the situation under control. bethany, we are hearing about the international support being offered to greece, sweden, france, cyprus, and the bbc has also just been told the home secretary priti patel is deploying 21 experienced fire fighters who will depart to support greek cruise, but they have a big challenge on their hands.- greek cruise, but they have a big challenge on their hands. very, very big challenge _ challenge on their hands. very, very big challenge on _ challenge on their hands. very, very big challenge on my _ challenge on their hands. very, very big challenge on my hands. - challenge on their hands. very, very big challenge on my hands. we i challenge on their hands. very, veryj big challenge on my hands. we have seenjustin is not half hour there are these fires burning on a hill behind us. huge amounts of water have been released to try to extinguish them, but you still see

sparks setting off a little new fires and other places and it is so tinder dry here that you can hear when you get closer to where the flames are happening things are crackling because they are just so, so parched and this is... with the heatwave, with the very, very strong winds, it is making things very difficult for the emergency services, but there has also been criticism we have heard from residents saying that the authorities know wildfires happen, they know summers could be hot, should have been more prepared to deal with this. bell should have been more prepared to deal with this.— deal with this. bell there in malakasa. _ deal with this. bell there in malakasa, thank _ deal with this. bell there in malakasa, thank you. i elsewhere... wales has moved to covid alert level zero, meaning most social distancing rules and most other restrictions have been lifted. from today, there are no legal limits on the number of people who can meet, and meeting indoors is allowed. all business are also allowed to re—open too, including nightclubs —

which have been closed for the last 17 months. face masks are still required in most public indoor places, as well as care settings and on public transport. but they aren't required by law in pubs, restaurants or schools. our wales correspondent hywel griffith explained that despite the loosening of measures, the first minister is urging caution. level zero doesn't mean zero restriction and it comes with a great deal of caution from mark drakeford, the welsh first minister. he has warned that this pandemic could yet take some twists and turns. another variant could even see some measures being returned, so rather than seeing today as any kind of freedom day or terminus date, it is more the last lap in easing restrictions. now, that is not to say that people won't be making use of those freedoms today. families allowed to mix in each other�*s homes, unrestricted for the first time. as you mentioned, night clubs opening for the first time. we were filming in one venue in cardiff last night. the owners only took it over a couple of weeks before lockdown. they spent all their money on their branding and marketing and doing the

place up, only to shut their doors for 17 months, so tonight promises to be a very, very big night for them. also a big day across the other part of the city, the cardiff city stadium, so for the first time football crowds can fill stadiums to capacity, although every business that operates now has to do some kind of risk assessment for covid, so football supporters today still being asked to wear their masks, even though they are not legally obliged. so i think people here are pleased things are being eased, but they don't see this as a free—for—all. that is definitely the message from the welsh government, to take things easy and to keep everyone safe. hold griffith with the latest there on the covid—19 restrictions easing in wales. to northern ireland, where 32—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a two—year—old girl in county tyrone. it is understood the child died in hospital after an ambulance attended an address at park avenue in the town on yesterday afternoon.

the 32—year—old man remains in custody. and one at the largest muslim conventions has returned for the first time since the pandemic began. the three—day meeting called jalsa salana is the annual gathering of the ahmadiyya muslim community and takes place in alton in southern england. the bbc�*s atif rashid reports on the first day of the event. this is not your ordinary religious gathering. it is taking place on 200 acres of hampshire farmland turned into a makeshift village and hundreds of volunteers have been working all week to get it ready. i work as an investment banker, i work in canary wharf, but for these three days i will be spending my time getting my hands dirty, picking up litter, packing up bins, picking up mess, trying to make the site look as clean as possible. usually, 35,000 people from around the world to ten,

from around the world attend, but this year only 10,000 people from the uk are allowed. the ahmadiyya muslim community is a reformist movement within islam, persecuted in other countries it's found refuge here in the english countryside, from where the ahmadiyya caliph can openly preach his message of peace, patience and prayer. spirituality is something that we constantly need to be working on, to be reflecting about and this is an opportunity for us to get together in a community. i'm very, very excited for the next three days. seeing a lot of old faces i haven't been able to meet within the last 18 months, a time to reflect on their own past two years. please wear your facemasks. covid has drastically changed this event, which like so many others, had to be postponed or cancelled last year.

strict measures are being enforced and with the reduced numbers, people have to sit with their masks on inside of a socially distance marquee. it feels a bit weird wearing the mask all the time because you can feel your breath coming back onto you, but all the restrictions are for our own safety. a bit of food, i wonder about the exhibition, then everyone takes their seats in the main marquee to listen to speeches and worship together on a scale like this for the first time since the pandemic began. the university of sussex is trying to incentivise students to get vaccinated against covid—19. campus authorities have introduced a raffle with the main prize being a cheque for five—thousand pounds. anyone who can prove they've been fullyjabbed or are exempt

from a shot can be entered into a draw for the money. professor kelly coate, pro—vice—chancellor for education and students at the university of sussex, said the idea came from the united states. we thought it was a great idea. we'd like to welcome back students safely in september and so this was a way of incentivising and saying thank you to those who did get a vaccination. and do you think it will work? we hope so. we have talked to a few students, they are telling us that they think it is a good idea. really, the main thing is that we do want to return as far as possible to normal in september and open up our lecture theatres and classrooms, and we know students watched that as well. theatres and classrooms, and we know students —— want that as well. so to do it safely we are offering these cash prizes. how safe is your university, other university campuses without the vaccine? well, i mean, we have worked so hard over the past 16, 18 months to keep our campus safe, taking all precautions that we needed to. obviously, double vaccinations is just one of the best ways that we can ensure that our campuses remain safe.

that was the pro—vice chancellor for student at the university of sussex talking to us a little earlier. you are watching bbc news. gurkha veterans are staging a hunger strike in london as part of a campaign for equal pension rights. gurkhas who retired before 1997 are not eligible for a uk armed forces pension and are calling for change. the uk government says it's committed to ensuring the gurkha pension scheme is sustainable and fair alongside other uk the hunger strike is now underway, and joining me allen, who is the ceo of uk nepal friendship society. thank you for joining us. maybe you can start by giving us the background to all this. . ~ ., , , giving us the background to all this. ., , , ., this. the background begins about 207 ears this. the background begins about 207 years ago. — this. the background begins about 207 years ago, the _ this. the background begins about 207 years ago, the relationship i this. the background begins about i 207 years ago, the relationship with the british army really condensed

from then. the gurkhas are a core part of the british army, the brigade of the british gurkhas, of course, and they have contributed to key wars throughout british history and without them it as history would have been... given independence, a continuing independent britain would have been very different, two world wars, for example. so the background to this is historically there has been a lack of, you know, equal, fair engagement with the gurkhas, particularly on pensions, but in other ways as well. and what happened is in 1997 there was a partial settlement, so from 1997 we had a partial... everyone after 1997, the mod official said, we will provide equal pensions. and as you know, at the end of the gordon brown government that went through, but it

was a very imperfect settlement. the people before 1997 were completely left out and if i can just say as well the conditions have been very unequal, often, historically. we still have glass ceilings, for example, on the ranks that gurkhas can attain within the british army as we speak. there is still a band, if famous band of the brigade of the gurkhas, but it has never had a bandmaster or director of music who is even poorly. so there is still —— is even poorly. so there is still —— is even poorly. so there is still —— is even from the pull. so there are still injustices their coming to the fore, but what happened with the hunger strike is in 2018 there were repeatedly promises assumed that a final settlement would be delivered. nothing happened and nothing happened and we have ended up in a state where the ministry of defence officials... i will not say it is really the ministers, i think the

ministers are too dependent on officials who are poorly educated on this issue is. what has gone on and happened here is that they have left this in limbo. they have literally forced... no one wants to go on a hunger strike, forced... no one wants to go on a hungerstrike, but forced... no one wants to go on a hunger strike, but they have forced these two gentlemen and the lady there from the gurkha organisation to go on hunger strike and if i can just conclude on that one, across the gurkha community and the new poorly committee and the british veterans as well, —— the community of the country nepal. british letters as well... decent, good people and that is it in a nutshell. if i could finish there, thank you very much. if i could finish there, thank you very much-— if i could finish there, thank you ve much. ~ . very much. alan mercel-sanca, many thanks forjoining _ very much. alan mercel-sanca, many thanks forjoining saying _ very much. alan mercel-sanca, many thanks forjoining saying this - thanks forjoining saying this because astronomy from the strike we can speak to... ..gyanraj rai and dhan gurung.

maybe you can just give us the context of why you are doing this personally? what is this all about for you? personally? what is this all about for ou? ., ., ., for you? ok, we are doing a hunger strike with this _ for you? ok, we are doing a hunger strike with this lady _ for you? ok, we are doing a hunger strike with this lady here. _ for you? ok, we are doing a hunger strike with this lady here. can i for you? ok, we are doing a hunger strike with this lady here. can you l strike with this lady here. can you see her? — strike with this lady here. can you see her? , .., strike with this lady here. can you see her? , .. , strike with this lady here. can you see her? , , , , see her? yes, we can see her, yes. thank you- — see her? yes, we can see her, yes. thank you. hello. _ see her? yes, we can see her, yes. thank you. hello. the _ see her? yes, we can see her, yes. thank you. hello. the reason i see her? yes, we can see her, yes. thank you. hello. the reason we i see her? yes, we can see her, yes. | thank you. hello. the reason we are hunter thank you. hello. the reason we are hunger striking _ thank you. hello. the reason we are hunger striking is _ thank you. hello. the reason we are hunger striking is the _ thank you. hello. the reason we are hunger striking is the british... i hunger striking is the british... not the — hunger striking is the british... not the british, _ hunger striking is the british... not the british, a _ hunger striking is the british... not the british, a gang - hunger striking is the british... not the british, a gang of- hunger striking is the british... not the british, a gang of mod| not the british, a gang of mod exploiting _ not the british, a gang of mod exploiting us, _ not the british, a gang of mod exploiting us, abused - not the british, a gang of mod exploiting us, abused us - not the british, a gang of mod exploiting us, abused us for. not the british, a gang of mod. exploiting us, abused us for other 100 years — exploiting us, abused us for other 100 years our_ exploiting us, abused us for other 100 years. our social, _ exploiting us, abused us for other 100 years. our social, financial... j 100 years. our social, financial... of political — 100 years. our social, financial... of political structure, _ of political structure, everything has been — of political structure, everything has been destroyed _ of political structure, everything has been destroyed and - of political structure, everything | has been destroyed and together of political structure, everything i has been destroyed and together with that many— has been destroyed and together with that many thousands _ has been destroyed and together with that many thousands of _ has been destroyed and together with that many thousands of people - has been destroyed and together with that many thousands of people died l that many thousands of people died without— that many thousands of people died without good — that many thousands of people died without good food, _ that many thousands of people died without good food, many— that many thousands of people died without good food, many children . without good food, many children died _ without good food, many children died we — without good food, many children died. we could _ without good food, many children died. we could not _ without good food, many children died. we could not educate - without good food, many children died. we could not educate our. died. we could not educate our children. — died. we could not educate our children. so— died. we could not educate our children, so that _ died. we could not educate our children, so that many - died. we could not educate our. children, so that many thousands died. we could not educate our- children, so that many thousands are

working _ children, so that many thousands are working dirty, — children, so that many thousands are working dirty, difficult, _ children, so that many thousands are working dirty, difficult, dangerous. working dirty, difficult, dangerous 'obs working dirty, difficult, dangerous jobs in— working dirty, difficult, dangerous jobs in saudi — working dirty, difficult, dangerous jobs in saudi arabian _