this is bbc news. the headlines... thousands of civilians flee major afghan cities, as the taliban continues to gain ground, while president biden says he doesn't regret withdrawing us troops from the country. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost thousands lost in death and injury, thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves. prosecutors in germany say a british man who worked at the uk embassy in berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a—levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried

about inequality. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the result they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger and there is baked—in unfairness. at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them 25 soldiers fighting the fires. a baby with a fatal condition receives the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. and coming up, under threat — seahorses off the coast of dorset. diverse put this screw anchor into the sea and then connected it to these rubber pieces —— divers and this is what replaces the change on a traditional mooring that is said to do so much damage.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. president biden says he does not regret withdrawing troops from afghanistan after 20 years, urging afghan leaders to unite and fight for their country. it comes as the taliban claims to have captured a ninth provincial capital — the north—eastern city of faizabad. however afghan officials say air strikes and ground attacks have killed dozens of taliban militants. the afghan army chief, has been removed from his post. and thousands of displaced people are pouring into the capital, fleeing fighting in other parts of the country. caroline hawley reports. the afghan president, ashraf ghani, looked vulnerable himself here as he flew into mazar—i—sharif to try to rally forces to repel the taliban advance.

his government has faced setback after setback on the battlefield, and the taliban are now closing in on this key northern city. president biden has said it's up to these men now to unite and fight, but he doesn't regret his decision to pull american troops out. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost... thousands lost, death and injury. thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. but the nation is fractured. this is the town of pul—i—khumri, another provincial capital to fall to the taliban yesterday. some people here wanted selfies with the insurgents, who have been accused by the un of committing possible war crimes as they have advanced, and of punishing women who breach their strict rules. tens of thousands of civilians have already fled in terror in what is a growing humanitarian crisis. many, many more afghans will be

uprooted as the fighting goes on. our teams are out in the field in kabul today trying to understand the needs, and really have described to me that this is the worst situation that they have seen in kabul ever. the scale of people who are arriving from provinces all across the country is really unlike something that we have seen before, with people who have fled their homes with just the clothes on their back and who are scared about relatives who are still in the areas where they're from. the afghan government says it's doing what it can to repel the taliban, but the eu has estimated that 65% of afghanistan is now out of their hands. in some places, afghan forces have given up with barely a fight. this is the city of kunduz, which the taliban took at the weekend. with the militants now taking the battle to the towns and cities of afghanistan, casualties are mounting fast and aid agencies are becoming increasingly alarmed. caroline hawley, bbc news.

i will talk in a moment to someone who lives in kabul. our correspondent yogita limaye is in the capital, kabul. the pace at which the taliban is taking control of provincial capitals has shocked people in this country, the government of afghanistan and its international partners. the government says that its forces are trying to regain control of some of these cities, but the surge in violence has led to a humanitarian crisis not seen in decades. we were in the north of kabul city today where thousands of people have come in just over the past few days, fleeing areas around the country where there's been intense fighting. on the ground there, there's a sense of desperation. people literally packed up everything they had and left very quickly, so they are not carrying very much. we saw some people coming in to distribute food and they would be surrounded by scores of people immediately.

we didn't see the presence of government agencies or humanitarian agencies, so there is a lot of anger as well about people being left to fend for themselves. they have come to kabul because they believe this is the last bastion of safety. from here, there's nowhere else to run. but increasingly now, there are concerns about how long the government will be able to keep control of the capital city of afghanistan. that was our correspondent in kabul. we stay in the city. i am joined by a lecture at the american university of afghanistan which is based in kabul. obaidullah baheer, thank you forjoining us at such a, i was going to say very difficult and uncertain time but of course viewers in this country are interested in your experience, what day—to—day

life is like for you and your friends and colleagues. thank you for havin: friends and colleagues. thank you for having me. — friends and colleagues. thank you for having me, jane _ friends and colleagues. thank you for having me, jane poynter - friends and colleagues. thank you for having me, jane poynter it's i for having me, jane poynter it's interesting because when i was contacted by your team for the interview, i was already sitting with a few friends and we were trying to make a plan with regards to what responsible citizens should be doing in this time the camps are overflowing and there doesn't seem to be a plan as to how to manage them. there is not only a military strategy missing, there is an emergency strategy not in place. everyone is flocking towards kabul whereas afghanistan is divided into almost nine zones, or four if you look at it militarily and why isn't the government setting camps for people there? we heard the first vice president talking about the humanitarian crisis that might unfold and asked the international community to help out but they can

only help out when you have a plan only help out when you have a plan on the ground. and it seems to be missing. some people are thinking about that, others are thinking about that, others are thinking about how to get out of here when the initial taliban pushed started, within the same day we had 21 flights booked out meant the elite, those who can afford it, are trying to get out go to bleed afghanistan dry of its brains and any future that the country have. but people don't have any other option. people don't have any other option. people do not have a leadership to standby. they don't have a charismatic figure thatis they don't have a charismatic figure that is leading this fight with any hope. wejust that is leading this fight with any hope. we just have squabbling politicians at a time where it is a national urgency to take a stance. have you thought about getting out? i don't want to make big claims that i don't want to make big claims that i cannot stand by in the future but i cannot stand by in the future but i personally do not want to leave. i

think even if they reach kabul, there will be a need for voices like mine. and no matter how much they lack the tolerance to hear opposing voices, but i have lived too far for too long for my country to visit it now so hopefully i will be here and i will try to do as much as i can without picking up arms. i think fighting is the easier way out and there is much more that one can do, including educating the youth of this country, at such a time when they look up to people like me, and they look up to people like me, and they ask me for perspective. something i can try to provide and speak some sense to them so hopefully i will be around to do that. ., , , ., ~ hopefully i will be around to do that. ., ,, .,~ ., ., , that. you speak about that very movingly. _ that. you speak about that very movingly. but _ that. you speak about that very movingly, but are _ that. you speak about that very movingly, but are you - that. you speak about that very movingly, but are you scared i movingly, but are you scared watching you and your friends and your colleagues, are you scared? i

mean, we are desensitised to a great extent because when you have grown up extent because when you have grown up with these stories and these realities, sometimes i think your assessment of reality is skewed so i might be partially delusional in my hope for the future! and obviously there is hope. you look over your shoulderfrom time to there is hope. you look over your shoulder from time to time. i have my father screaming at me every morning from whatsapp called telling me to stop giving interviews and stop being so in the open and in the public space because it is a clear threat and there have been targeted assassinations and they take out dissident voices. but i think there is a moral responsibility here as well and there is a limited bandwidth available in which either impartial people like me can present an honest picture or they can be partial people trying to set an agenda. we have to push them out of that space. i5

agenda. we have to push them out of that sace. , ., , agenda. we have to push them out of thatsace. , ., , , . that space. is there any prospect that space. is there any prospect that the afghan _ that space. is there any prospect that the afghan military - that space. is there any prospect that the afghan military could i that space. is there any prospect| that the afghan military could win through against the taliban, any chance of that? i through against the taliban, any chance of that?— chance of that? i teach conflict resolution _ chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for _ chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for a _ chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for a lot _ chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for a lot of - chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for a lot of what - chance of that? i teach conflict resolution for a lot of what we | chance of that? i teach conflict i resolution for a lot of what we do with regard to conflict resolution and transformation, the courses that i teach, we discuss long—term institutionalism and we talk about how it is important that state building happens in case you are trying to fight an insurgency in the long run. at the problem is the afghan government failed to govern properly, to manage this war properly, to manage this war properly for 20 years and it appears like it is far too late now. they kept telling us that their military strategy was to tactically retreat from districts and garrisons into the city and protect them and then we have seen nine cities falling in a week. it's very hopeless, looking at all of that. but what can happen is if the international community,

the united nations has a lot of bureaucracy so for it to pass any sentence would take too much time but what the united states can do is revoke its peace deal with the taliban, there is nothing left in it. they have not satisfied those conditions, including allegiances with other militant groups including the way they have conducted this war. and a few other conditions that are not there any more. when they revoke those, they can create certain levels are pressure on the taliban and their sponsor states, travel bans can follow. 0nce taliban and their sponsor states, travel bans can follow. once that happens, there can be some breathing space for the afghan government but at the end of the day, the onus lies on them. unless they can figure out a strategy, a viable one, and create enough political capital internally to work towards it, it seems like a very hopeless fight. so that is what we are banking on, we are hoping that the international community can buy us some vital time and then a

miracle can push the political elite here for the leadership to act like leaders instead prolonging it until the final push for the capital happens. d0 the final push for the capital ha ens. ,, the final push for the capital ha ens. y., ., the final push for the capital hauens. ., _ happens. do you feel let down by the west, the western _ happens. do you feel let down by the west, the western countries - happens. do you feel let down by the west, the western countries who - happens. do you feel let down by the | west, the western countries who have withdrawn their troops?— withdrawn their troops? look, i am an orientalist. _ withdrawn their troops? look, i am an orientalist. i _ withdrawn their troops? look, i am an orientalist. i personally - withdrawn their troops? look, i am an orientalist. i personally do - withdrawn their troops? look, i am an orientalist. i personally do not l an 0rientalist. i personally do not think that the afghan people needed the west. we could have solved our problems ourselves and the foreign troops had to leave at some point or the other it is just extremely problematic, the way that they did it, and the sense of elusiveness or aloofness towards the responsibility they had towards us. i mean, biden and stand up and say we didn't go there to nation build, despite the

hundred country statements that individuals representing the us had said that opposed such a statement. but even it was just about fighting al-qaeda, they did not defeat them, if it was about assassinating bin laden, it was our people who laid down their lives in realising that goal to begin with. i guess if nothing else, they owed us more responsible withdrawal pond they turned off the lights in the air base and run and that created the sense of impending victory for the taliban. so all the momentum they are enjoying is or has been gifted to them by the united states, and i don't think the afghan people deserved it. and now the international community owes it to the afghan people before we have another go under, another yugoslavia or yemen on our hands, the international committee has to prevent the interest of me from taking place —— another rwanda. they have to slow down the taliban which

could even include closing down the doha office because negotiations are not working. you cannot preach negotiations when both parties, specifically the taliban, are not negotiating in good faith. they have not done so for the past few months, they have been aiming for the total victory outcome and that means you are just turning a blind victory outcome and that means you arejust turning a blind eye victory outcome and that means you are just turning a blind eye to all their atrocities in the hopes that one day they will sit down and negotiate. if you're going to sit and negotiate with an insurgent group when they have the other hand, it's not a negotiation, it's a surrender. and the international community should not expect afghanistan or the common afghan people to surrender to the taliban because it will haunt them, this time not in 15 years, this time not in 20 years, but this time it will be much sooner and i guess the lesson learned from al-qaeda's existence in afghanistan or their

creation here should have taught the west a lesson. and a security vacuum here will haunt them. we west a lesson. and a security vacuum here will haunt them.— here will haunt them. we must leave our conversation _ here will haunt them. we must leave our conversation there, _ here will haunt them. we must leave our conversation there, i'm - here will haunt them. we must leave our conversation there, i'm very - our conversation there, i'm very grateful for your our conversation there, i'm very gratefulfor your time, thank you our conversation there, i'm very grateful for your time, thank you so much and we sent you our best. thank you so much, 0baidullah baheer, a lecturer in transitionaljustice at the american university of afghanistan. speaking from kabul, and we will talk more about the situation in afghanistan next hour, and i will be talking to made sense on frontier about the humanitarian situation —— medicine sums frontier. that is still to come. before we turn to the rest of the news, we have had some news in the last couple of minutes from moscow concerning alexei navalny, the jailed opposition leader. we are hearing that he has been told he is facing new criminal charges, charges

of establishing an organisation that poses threats to the rights of russian citizens. the investigators say that his foundation, which was outlawed in june, say that his foundation, which was outlawed injune, has carried out the functions of a foreign agent and has incited citizens to commit illegal acts. those are the new charges which alexei navalny, we are told, is now facing, and that is just coming through from moscow in the last few minutes. doubtless there is more to come on that and reaction but that has just come through from moscow in the last few minutes. a british man has been arrested in germany on suspicion of spying for russia. the man worked at the british embassy in berlin and is said to have passed documents to a russian intelligence agent on at least one occasion, in return for cash. 0ur correspondent matt colejoins me now.

you have been looking at the story, what we know so far? we understand that the man — what we know so far? we understand that the man who _ what we know so far? we understand that the man who under— what we know so far? we understand that the man who under german - that the man who under german privacy laws has only been named as david s is in court to face the charges in cultural. he was arrested on tuesday, the federal prosecutor said they believed that at least on one occasion he gave document to a russian agent in exchange for money pond they don't know how much money that was. they believed the alleged spying has been going on since at least november 2020 so it has all the shades and echoes of a cold war drama. as things stand, we know that the man is had his home and office surf ched, he was arrested in potsdam. it will now be decided in court whether the warrants issued by prosecutors can go ahead and if he can be put in custody or whether he

can be put in custody or whether he can be put in custody or whether he can be bailed or, as is believed probably unlikely, if the charge against him would be dismissed. watmore are the authorities actually saying and what could be happening from here on in question —— what more. from here on in question -- what more. ~ , ., , from here on in question -- what more. ~ , . , ., from here on in question -- what more. ~ , ., , ., ., more. we understand it is a “oint o eration more. we understand it is a “oint operation taking �* more. we understand it is a “oint operation taking place i more. we understand it is ajoint operation taking place between l more. we understand it is a joint i operation taking place between the met police's anti—terror branch, the counterterror command, and their opposite numbers in germany, although the german officials we understand are taking the lead in this investigation. as things stand, we understand that the enquiry as it goes on, with the rest having taken place, whether it is held in custody i think will dictate matters from here on in but the enquiry is ongoing but it's probably worth pointing out that the counterterror command under the met police have responsibility, for example, of investigating breaches of the

official secrets act. however, it is 0fficial secrets act. however, it is german officials who are taking the lead on this at the moment. we will wait to hear the outcome of the hearing but it is understood it is complicated and therefore while the hearing may end today, we might not hearing may end today, we might not hear from the hearing may end today, we might not hearfrom thejudge hearing may end today, we might not hear from the judge today or even until tomorrow. we hear from the judge today or even until tomorrow.— hear from the judge today or even until tomorrow. we will wait to see what emerges _ until tomorrow. we will wait to see what emerges from _ until tomorrow. we will wait to see what emerges from the _ until tomorrow. we will wait to see what emerges from the process. i until tomorrow. we will wait to see - what emerges from the process. thank you very much for now. there are calls for an overhaul of the way a—levels are assessed and graded in the future, after this year's results saw record numbers given top marks. almost 45% of entries in england, wales and northern ireland were awarded a or a star, fuelling concerns that soaring grades risk undermining confidence in the system. ministers are reported to be looking at replacing the traditional a to e grades with numbers, similar to gcses. sean dilley reports. the ring of success could barely resonate louder for many students across the uk still celebrating

a top year for marks. but now the government is under pressure to review the way qualifications are assessed and concerns have been raised about the attainment gap between fee—paying schools in england, where around seven in ten students acheived an a or a star, compared to state schools, where around four in ten did. the labour party is among those calling for change. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the results that they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger, and there is baked—in unfairness. and yet again it is the students who most need the support of government who are not getting that support. the government's former education tsar for england, who resigned over a high—profile disagreement about catch—up funding, is backing calls for a review but believes that fairness issues are much wider than an attainment gap between state and fee—paying schools in england. i think we should be worried. i think we should be worried about not only the gap at a—levels but the gap we see throughout the system. to tackle that and to deal

with that we need a comprehensive, robust and long—term plan. i don't believe that recovery will happen naturally and i think if we don't do something intentional about it, we will have growing inequality in our education system. uk students taking a—levels, scottish highers and vocational qualifications have been subject to teacher—assessed grading to calculate their grades. in a recent pre—pandemic years, the government in england has put a higherfocus on exam day performance. the fairest means of assessing - people is by continuous assessment, and the only way that can be done properly is if teachers _ are taught how to assess. the government is now under pressure to review how qualifications are assessed in the future — for instance, by replacing a—level grades with numbered marks. but there is currently no review. as the uk's top universities warn of unprecedented demand, the education secretary, gavin williamson, has acknowledged qualifications will need to look different next year. the clear message from westminster

now, though, is that students impacted by the pandemic are not to blame and they should be able to move onto the next stage and celebrate their success. sean dilley, bbc news. i'm joined now by steve chalke, the founder and leader of oasis community learning, an academy trust with more than 50 schools across england. good afternoon. good afternoon. are ou good afternoon. good afternoon. are you concerned _ good afternoon. good afternoon. are you concerned by _ good afternoon. good afternoon. are you concerned by a _ good afternoon. good afternoon. are you concerned by a growing - you concerned by a growing inequality, a growing gap in attainment? i’m inequality, a growing gap in attainment?— inequality, a growing gap in attainment? , . . attainment? i'm very much concerned about that but — attainment? i'm very much concerned about that but also _ attainment? i'm very much concerned about that but also the _ attainment? i'm very much concerned about that but also the idea _ attainment? i'm very much concerned about that but also the idea of- about that but also the idea of inflated exam results come i think that exam results are not inflated at all. in fact, the boss of 0fqual said before the a—level exam that assessments were introduced, he said it was a much fairer way than the

snapshot of examinations because they were based around coursework, teacher assessment and some tests. he said it was deeper and more holistic and realistic and accurate way of looking at each student's progress. i think to write these off as inflated, i think they should tell us the truth. they tell us the truth about young people who can succeed and do very well and we should celebrate them, don't do as well when just stuck in an exam room. is a better system and perhaps we should keep it. what it also shows, as you said, is this growing gap, and 0fqual themselves said that students, these three categories, they said black students, students who claim free school meals, and students from a high level of deprivation have got lower attainment than anyone else. it

tells us about the inequality as well that exist in our society and that it well that exist in our society and thatitis well that exist in our society and that it is time we levelled up and really did it. that it is time we levelled up and really did it— really did it. that is something that has been _ really did it. that is something that has been talked _ really did it. that is something that has been talked about - really did it. that is something that has been talked about for| really did it. that is something - that has been talked about for many years but isn't one of the truths you are talking about, that covid has accentuated and accelerated that gap, and does that mean there is a whole year group of students who, through no fault of their own, are facing an even greater disadvantage? i wonder what we can do to help them as they go into further education or into the workplace. i as they go into further education or into the workplace.— into the workplace. i think everything _ into the workplace. i think everything is _ into the workplace. i think everything is related. - into the workplace. i think everything is related. for| into the workplace. i think- everything is related. for instance, mental health issues are related to housing issues, just for instance. to look for all the answers directly in terms of what we do with exams, what we do with classrooms, is a shallow mistake, isn't it? what we've got to do is look at issues

like housing, employment. we have to look at the whole education system. i heard just yesterday someone saying that the great thing about germany that they have a parity between academics and technical education and companies like bmw and audi provide all these apprenticeships, isn't that wonderful, they are prosperous and they don't have youth unemployment because of that. but what they didn't go on to same and what was strange, is that the german assistant was copied from britain because once we did grammar education and technical education. i think to meet the needs of young people, we need to rethink the whole system, the education system. i also think we have got to look at these wider social issues like housing but broadband, so those who performed lower come from higher areas of deprivation and families with free school meals. i know and many

parents had to battle over do we eat, do we heat our house, or do we pay the bill on the broadband? there were many kids who just didn't get those online lessons. find were many kids who just didn't get those online lessons.— were many kids who just didn't get those online lessons. and we were talkin: those online lessons. and we were talking about _ those online lessons. and we were talking about that _ those online lessons. and we were talking about that right _ those online lessons. and we were talking about that right at - those online lessons. and we were talking about that right at the - those online lessons. and we were talking about that right at the very| talking about that right at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the schools shut, there were a lot of conversations about children who don't have a desk, some were quiet at home to work, a laptop or broadband and that was obvious, heartbreaking but obvious right from the get go? and we didn't seem to manage to deal with it for a really long time. manage to deal with it for a really lona time. ~ , . long time. absolutely. oui, away s stem long time. absolutely. oui, away system works _ long time. absolutely. oui, away system works in _ long time. absolutely. oui, away system works in bristol— long time. absolutely. oui, away system works in bristol for- long time. absolutely. oui, away i system works in bristol for instance and we have eight schools there. there are 10,000 homes in the city of bristol that have no access to any kind of broadband. we know this is an issue across the country. private companies are obviously going to install broadband where

they can get the most paying customers. and so all of these inequalities are built into who we are and these exam results we have seen, as you said, in one way they reflect the disparity and the inequality that is already there but inequality that is already there but in another way, they have amplified it because so many young people have been shut out of education over the last two years, and we need to work for them at the same time as celebrating every young person who has achieved so much.— celebrating every young person who has achieved so much. steve chalke, thank ou has achieved so much. steve chalke, thank you very _ has achieved so much. steve chalke, thank you very much, _ has achieved so much. steve chalke, thank you very much, the _ has achieved so much. steve chalke, thank you very much, the founder i has achieved so much. steve chalke, l thank you very much, the founder and leader of oasis community learning. wildfires are continuing to devastate parts of europe, north africa and america, amid intense heatwaves and drought. emergency teams in greece are tackling hundreds of blazes, and in algeria, 65 people have been killed in a series of fires, many of them soldiers battling to put them out. danai howard reports.

dozens killed and lands scorched. algeria is the latest mediterranean country to face disastrous wildfires. more than 100 fires are raging in several provinces east of the capital, algiers, claiming the lives are both civilians and soldiers who are deployed to rescue algerians from the flames. translation: there are fires everywhere. we have not seen the government here. we do not have a state. the algerian president, abdelmadjid tebboune, has sent his condolences to the families of those who died. he tweeted that 25 members of the army have died after they succeeded in rescuing more than 100 citizens from the blazing fire. these have become worryingly familiar scenes as wildfires continue to burn across several countries. greece's prime minister apologised to the nations for the fires that have been tearing through since late july, and said climate change has fuelled the wildfires, increasing the risk of hot, dry weather.

his minister in charge of civil protection broke down when asked about the country's failings. translation: iwant to say something. - every house that is lost is a tragedy for all of us and is a strike to our hearts. but what i know is that a massive battle has raged during recent days. we have all remained without sleep throughout all of these days. more high temperatures are expected in the coming weeks, meaning more land and lives could be vulnerable. danai howard, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. todayis today is shaping up to be a tale of two halves with a weather front pushing into the west end that has brought some rain, some of it heavy, and a slightly cooler feel. brightening up into scotland and northern ireland and ahead of it is

where we have the best of the sunshine and the warmth. the weather front continues to think steadily south and east through the night. a band of rain, a few spots are visible as well, but under clear skies we will continue to see temperatures fall away, down into single figures in rural areas of scotland. starting tomorrow in a quieter note with a good deal of dry, sunny weather. a weak weather front producing drizzle. as we go through the afternoon an area of low pressure will bring geriatric centre scotland and northern ireland and north—west scotland. temperatures and the high teens as a maximum but further south temperatures of 2a degrees. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: thousands of civilians flee major afghan cities,

as the taliban continue to gain ground — while president biden says he doesn't regret withdrawing us troops from the country. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost thousands lost in death and injury, thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves. prosecutors in germany say a british man who worked at the uk embassy in berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the result they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger and there is baked—in unfairness. at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them soldiers fighting the fires.

a baby with a fatal condition receives the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. sport now, and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. lionel messi has been talking to the world for the first time as a paris st germain player. after 21 years and 35 trophies at barcelona, he decided to leave because the club couldn't afford a new deal under la liga's financial fair play rules. the 34—year—old admits it's been an emotional week — but says he's looking forward to the challenge ahead. translation: i am very happy to be here and i want to get going.

i still want to play and i still want to win just as much as when i started my career. with these players and the staff, i think the club is ready to fight for all of the trophies. i want to keep growing and winning titles, and that is why i have come to this club. the premier league says it's fully behind players taking a knee when the new season begins on friday. a minority of supporters booed the act when england played earlier in the summer, but with clubs saying they're united in taking a stand against racism this season the premier league's chief executive believes fans will respect the gesture. i think taking the knee is a really powerful, unifying symbol, it's what the players want to do it we are happy in supporting them do that. i really do not understand why anybody would want to object to that or boo it. my hope and expectation is the vast majority of supporters will support it. we'll wait and see this weekend. obviously it has been going on for a year but without supporters

in the ground, but we are not concerned about any negative reaction because we believe it is the right thing to do. the uefa super cup takes place in belfast tonight, with champions league winners chelsea taking on europa league winners villareal. the pre—match buildup has centred on the reported return of romelu lukaku to chelsea. the belgium striker�*s expected to resign for the club he left seven years ago but head coach thomas tuchel�*s refused to be drawn on the speculation. we miss a certain profile. then we need to wait and see what is possible, what isn't possible. we are not in a panic, and we are happy to work with the team and today there is nothing to announce. england are set to be without stuart broad and possibly james anderson too for the second test against india at lord's, which starts tomorrow. they were both missing when the squad practiced this morning. anderson has a quad niggle and broad is struggling with a calf problem. lancashire's saqib mahmood has been called—up as cover,

butjonny bairstow thinks england could cope without them. ido i do not see why there is any reason why we cannot cope. we have had a lot of people stand up previously within the bowling and batting group and we saw when we were dealt cards during the one—day side that homely team that came together and the performances they put an. there is potential, we do not know exactly what is going to be happening tomorrow and we will wait to find out how those guys are but with that comes opportunity, the opportunity for someone to come in to be playing a test match at lord's back with full credits as well against india, it is an exciting prospect and opportunity for those individuals that are going to do that. britain's harriet dart has been knocked out in the second round of the montreal open. she put in a strong performance, taking the second seed bianca andreescu to three sets, but the canadian came

through in the end, needing over two hours, but into the third round she goes. that's all the sport for now. a senior government adviser has told the bbc that a mass rollout of a third booster dose of the covid vaccine may not be needed. professor adam finn, who sits on thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, said it is still "unclear" whether all over 50s should be offered a third jab this autumn. our health correspondentjim reed explained why a third booster had been suggested. there are two reasons why scientists and politicians might want to go ahead with this. one is to top up immunity.

there are some early signs in some research that, over time, the immunity you gain from taking a vaccine might fade although at the moment research in that is ongoing. the second main reason is the potential emergence of new variants of the virus this autumn and, again, a third booster dose might offer some extra protection against that. yesterday the health secretary for england, sajid javid, was asked about this, and he suggested the plan would probably be all over 50s would be offered a booster shot at the same time as their flu shot this autumn. but before going ahead, politicians in every part of the uk, every nation, are waiting on advice, final advice, from this independent group of scientists called thejcvi. and on the bbc this morning, professor adam finn, who sits on that body, said two things. one, it was quite likely that a small number of very vulnerable patients would get this third dose of a jab — so if they have suppressed immune systems, if they are dealing with cancer treatment or a transplant, for example. but he said studies to work out if it is worth rolling it out much

wider, to all those over 50, were ongoing, and he said a final decision on that was still, as he put it, uncertain. we need to review evidence as to whether people who receive vaccine early on in the programme really are at any serious risk of getting serious disease or whether the protection they have got from those first two doses is still strong. we clearly don't want to be giving vaccines to people who don't need them. so, this debate is coming at a time when other scientists have raised concerns and doubts about whether giving this third booster dose is really worth it, both from a health point of view but also potentially from an ethical point of view. this idea is it really right for people in this country to get a third dose while people in some developing countries are struggling to get a first dose? we are likely to hear more about this in the next couple of weeks with a final decision probably taken before september. an armed surveillance officer has described how he shot the streatham attacker, sudesh amman, as he ran towards him holding a knife.

amman stabbed two people on a busy high street in london in february 2020, ten days after he was released from a prison sentence for terrorism offences. helena wilkinson sent us this update from the royal courts ofjustice. we have been hearing from that surveillance officer who has been describing those moments when he came face—to—face with the streatham attacker. he has been telling the jury that he was part of a nine—man surveillance team. they had been following sudesh amman that day on the 2nd of february last year. he had been staying at a hostel in streatham. the reason for that was that he had been released from prison ten days earlier and was on licence. the officer described how they followed him when he left the hostel on foot and by car as well and the officer then said at some point over the radio he heard a colleague say,

"he's stabbing people." the officer told the jury, "i immediately drew my glock pistol. i knew that would be the best weapon to instantly incapacitate mr amman." the officer then told the jury he then approached and went towards the incident and he said to them, "almost as soon as i looked up i saw mr amman running towards me. he had a large butcher's knife at least eight inches long in his left hand and held it up in front of him." the officer then went on to say, "i thought he was going to stab me and kill me or certainly seriously injure me." the officer then said he took his pistol in both hands, he fired a shot at the man, it didn't have any effect at all, then said he chased him and he said he and his colleague then locked eyes with sudesh amman. they both fired a number of other shots and amman then fell to the ground and his colleague

kicked the knife out of his hand. the jury are continuing to hear further evidence today. this afternoon we are going to hear from another of the surveillance officers who will give evidence, but this morning that dramatic evidence from the surveillance officer telling the jury, describing in his words how he came face—to—face with the attacker and feared for his life. an update around the case ofjulian assange, the us government has been allowed to expand the basis of its appeal against that decision earlier in the year not to extraditejulian assange to the states. the founder of wikileaks, 49 years old, still in prison because he is fighting an

extradition request by the us and we are hearing that the us government has been allowed by the high court to expand the basis of its appeal. earlier in the year a judge wrote thatjulian assange could not be extradited to the states because of the risk that he might kill himself. the us still appealing that decision. so he has been imprisoned since 2019 spending seven years in that venue you see there, inside the ecuadorian embassy in london, where he lived for seven years. the us government allowed to expand the basis of its appeal. research for the bbc by two recruitment websites suggests a large increase in the number ofjobs being advertised with the option to work from home, although they remain a relatively small proportion of all vacancies advertised.

the agencies reed and cv library say 12% of posts are now offering more flexibility, compared to 5% of posts before the pandemic. let's get more on this now from our business correspondent alice baxter. yes, during the pandemic more and more of us became used to working from home and that has continued, whether as flexible working order new terms hybrid or dynamic working, whereby people are mixing the two, working from home but also spending some days in the office. there are bigger questions as to whether economically this is a good trend going forward. whereas we have become used to the benefits of part—time working, more time spent with family, less time spent wasted commuting, is it a good trend economically going forward for city

centres and also for people's carriers? rishi sunak spoke last week saying he doubts he would have done as well if he had started his career working remotely. chris adcock is the managing director of reed technology. the man behind that research you mentioned. really good to talk to you. there has been a rise injobs advertising working from home is a possibility. what does that tell us about working patterns pulse pandemic?— about working patterns pulse andemic? . ,, , ., pandemic? yeah, i think it is a fascinating _ pandemic? yeah, i think it is a fascinating point _ pandemic? yeah, i think it is a fascinating point of— pandemic? yeah, i think it is a fascinating point of discussion | pandemic? yeah, i think it is a l fascinating point of discussion at the moment because we were all forced into home—working during the pandemic and now everyone is trying to find where they fit in and this new world that we are seeing a transition period. the data show does a a52% increase in jobs advertising some form of flexible working are remote working so we're definitely seeing a trend did not more normal.—

definitely seeing a trend did not more normal. ., ., , , , more normal. how does this carve up between sectors? _ more normal. how does this carve up between sectors? some _ more normal. how does this carve up between sectors? some big - more normal. how does this carve up i between sectors? some big companies have been very flexible and have taken to the working from home model and others have said they want their employees back in the building, boots on the ground.— employees back in the building, boots on the ground. yeah, i think there are sectors _ boots on the ground. yeah, i think there are sectors that _ boots on the ground. yeah, i think there are sectors that it _ boots on the ground. yeah, i think there are sectors that it cannot - there are sectors that it cannot work on, teachers, people in the health industry cannot work from home. after that it is about flexibility. it is not wise for people to work five days in the office or five days at home specifically, it is about flexibility, and that is where companies are taking it on board and trying to take advantage of that are going to be hiring the best talent. what about the importance of those water cooler moments, talking to your colleagues in a casual and spontaneous way, which is simply not possible when you are working from

home? you have to arrange your conversations on a zoom call. looking at that coal that rishi sunak made. do you think people's carriers could take a hit particularly at the early stages? yeah, i go back to the other parts of my career. i couldn't have benefited from the success of the people around me, people with ten or 20 years experience. the earlier you are in a career the more time needs to be spent in the office, you cannot put a value on that, it is absolutely important, but the further you get on in your career you can be more flexible and you can have that time at home, but i think we all sufferfrom zoom have that time at home, but i think we all suffer from zoom overload and personal relationships will never be replaced. it personal relationships will never be re - laced. , , ., personal relationships will never be relaced. , , ., , replaced. it is interesting to see how companies _ replaced. it is interesting to see how companies and _ replaced. it is interesting to see how companies and workers - replaced. it is interesting to see how companies and workers are j replaced. it is interesting to see - how companies and workers are going to navigate this new world of flexible working. chris, really good to talk to you. i

flexible working. chris, really good to talk to you-— flexible working. chris, really good to talk to you. i am glad to see you are takin: to talk to you. i am glad to see you are taking advantage _ to talk to you. i am glad to see you are taking advantage of— to talk to you. i am glad to see you are taking advantage of that - to talk to you. i am glad to see you are taking advantage of that you i are taking advantage of that you would _ are taking advantage of that you would not be loving the story. they will not _ would not be loving the story. they will not let — would not be loving the story. they will not let me! i have asked them. a baby with a fatal condition has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. 11—month—old edward, from colchester, has severe spinal muscular atrophy — which means he lacks a protein vital for muscle development. he received a new gene therapy which costs nearly 1.8 million pounds, at sheffield children's hospital. debbie tubby reports. edward just needs this one single infusion to transfer his life. it's a new gene therapy called zolgensma, costing £1.79 million,

administered at the children's hospital in sheffield. without medical intervention, he wouldn't live to his second birthday. his parents have been scared he wouldn't get this amazing chance of life. yay! we're just so relieved, excited, scared, apprehensive, nervous — absolutely, completely petrified. it's a game changer. it has absolutely changed the face of sma. this is when he was seven weeks old in hospital. he had just been resuscitated by his dad. later diagnosed with severe spinal muscular atrophy. the vectors deliver new working copies of sma genes to the motor neuron cells. this new, one—off drug contains a replica of the missing gene, halting the progression of the disease, helping babies breathe without a ventilator and even crawl and walk. he shouldn't really feel anything. he's got a cannula in, which is a little bit of plastic into his vein. and the drug just goes

through that over an hour. injune, five—month—old arthur became the first baby to receive this revolutionary treatment on the nhs. now edward is one of a handful of babies being treated for the first time at the children's hospital in sheffield. sma itself is actually the most common genetic condition that causes infant deaths and severe disability — worldwide. about 90% of children with sma type one would die by age two. so, this treatment would drastically change the disease progression and outcome of each patient. you don't know what's around the corner. there's only five years' worth of data. so, from what i've seen from other children, theyjust get stronger. so, the world really is his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he has just received the most expensive drug in the world, or how his life will now be transformed. but his parents feel

he finally has a future. debbie tubby, bbc look east. lamb reared on the salt marshes of the gower peninsula in south wales has become the first food in the uk to be granted protected status after brexit. other products already protected under european law — such as cornish pasties — are also included in the scheme. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, has more. unfortunately, the elements are against us, because otherwise i would be showing this glorious coastline on the gower, and out there somewhere, the sheep that get to graze on samphire, sorrel and sea lavender. that is what gives the salt marsh lamb on the gower coast its unique flavour. someone who can tell us far more about it is will pritchard, the farmer here. what makes these lambs unique and worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the march. there are so many unique herbs and grasses that grow there. lambs are out there for most of the year. they eat these herbs, it goes into them and the flavour it gives our lambs is absolutely spectacular.

what practical difference does this status give you? after all, it only applies within great britain and not beyond in europe. it could be massive for us, in fairness. we have got to expect an increase in demand. it's wonderful publicity for an incredible product. in terms of export, at the moment you are a small—scale supplier, you are not looking to export to the eu. who actually buys your produce? we have people coming here. but most of what we do at the minute is people online all over the uk, going on the website, clicking away, and we post it to them overnight then, so that's most of our business. is there such a thing as imitation salt marsh lamb? is that a genuine threat? it could be a problem, but i think the product is so good it speaks for itself. thank you very much. unfortunately, the elements are against us. but this is a premium product that you find in some restaurants here. and people from as far afield as scotland, i'm told, click online and buy gower salt marsh lamb. other produce looking for this new gi labelling

within great britain include dundee cake, sussex wine and wiltshire cured lamb. the uk government keen post—brexit to put its own stamp on produce. others will argue it is yet more paperwork forfarmers who want to protect their unique and authentic produce. seahorses off the coast of dorset that are at risk from the anchors of boats could be protected by new "eco—moorings". the creatures are under threat because anchors drag along the sea bed, damaging their fragile habitat. now experts in studland bay have come up with a new way for boats to moor, asjohn maguire reports. these underwater meadows of seagrass provide a vital habitat teeming with wildlife, and it's where you can find the spiny seahorse. normally up to around 16 centimetres long for an adult, they come here in the spring, to feed on plankton or small shrimp, and to mate.

famously, it's the male that gets pregnant. it's a protected species, and studland bay is a marine conservation zone. but boats in this popular area of the dorset coast can create problems. we've counted up to a50 boats here in one day. it's the noise, the anchors, the general movement of everything seems to affect the seahorses. they're very prone to stress, and so if you can sort of reduce that stress then they're quite happy, relaxed seahorses. if they have a lot of stress, then they move back out to sea. the wildlife presenter steve backshall has dived here, and says boat anchors and mooring chains can damage the sea bed. they completely destroy all the substrate around it, which means that all the seagrass dies, and it gets rid of that binding substrate, which then washes away as sand. and so you just end up with these big, barren circles around all the moorings. and within that, nothing can live —

and particularly not seahorses. so, here's a solution. the seahorse trust is installing this environmentally—friendly design. instead of a chain, the mooring is attached to a fixed point in the sea bed via a rubber line that stretches with the tide and minimises damage. divers put this screw anchor into the sea bed. it goes in around seven feet deep, into the sea bed, then connected to these rubber pieces here — thick, dense rubber. this is what replaces the chains on a traditional mooring that are said to do so much of the damage. this is held vertically by these floats here. there's then another rubberised cable that goes up to the buoy, which obviously floats on the surface. a boat can come up and clip onto there. the university of southampton is monitoring the efficacy of the eco—moorings. and, if proved to be beneficial, it will mean seafarers and seahorses can co—exist successfully.

john maguire, bbc news, dorset. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good afternoon. wednesday, it's all been about a west—east divide across the country, with the best of the sunshine certainly the further east you are. the best of the sunshine further east. a beautiful morning for a round of golf in lowestoft, as you can see by this weather watcher picture. further west, there has been some clout and some rain around. you can see from the radar where i'm talking about. turning quite showery as it moves its way through north—west england and wales, the best of any bright weather continuing further east. with the sunshine we will see some warmth. underneath the cloud and the rain a little bit cooler with more

of a breeze. western scotland and northern ireland closing the day out with some sunshine and clear skies through this evening will allow temperatures to fall into single figures but as the weather front sinks south and east a band of cloud will prevent the temperature is falling much lower than the mid teens in the london area. a little bit of cloud and drizzle first thing in the morning to encounter on thursday. the low pressure winding its way into the far north—west that will bring a change as we go through thursday afternoon. some cloud around two central and southern england for a time but staying largely dry. clouding overfrom england for a time but staying largely dry. clouding over from the north—west as we go through the day with shivery outbreaks of rain and to ireland, western scotland and natwest england —— north west england. the mid 20s not out of the question across the south—east. friday the low pressure will set into the far north continuing to

bill and some showers particularly on exposed west coast. elsewhere largely fine and dry with top temperatures of 22 celsius. moving into the weekend it looks likely the area of low pressure could increase the story for the time and there will be some showers but hopefully high pressure will start to build from the west and quiet things down. certainly not a bad weekend for most of us. what we like to call usable weather to get out and enjoy in the garden. a good deal of dry weather around. just look out for the rain through the first—half of the weekend. danai howard, bbc news.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. thousands of civilians are fleeing major afghan cities, as the taliban continues to gain ground, while president biden says afghan leaders have to come together. they've got to fight for themselves. on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a—levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality.

well done, by the way, to all of those that got the result they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger and there is baked—in unfairness. at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them soldiers fighting the fires. a baby from essex with severe spinal muscular atrophy has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. and coming up, why has this city been named the least affordable in the uk to buy a home?

president biden says he does not regret withdrawing troops from afghanistan after 20 years, urging afghan leaders to unite and fight for their country. it comes as the taliban claims to have captured a ninth provincial capital, the north eastern city of faizabad. however, afghan officials say air strikes and ground attacks have killed dozens of taliban militants. the afghan army chief has been removed from his post, and thousands of displaced people are pouring into the capital, fleeing fighting in other parts of the country. caroline hawley reports. the afghan president, ashraf ghani, looked vulnerable himself here as he flew into mazar—i—sharif to try to rally forces to repel the taliban advance. his government has faced setback after setback on the battlefield, and the taliban are now closing in on this key northern city. president biden has said it's up

to these men now to unite and fight, but he doesn't regret his decision to pull american troops out. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost... thousands lost, death and injury. thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. but the nation is fractured. this is the town of pul—i—khumri, another provincial capital to fall to the taliban yesterday. some people here wanted selfies with the insurgents, who have been accused by the un of committing possible war crimes as they have advanced, and of punishing women who breach their strict rules. tens of thousands of civilians have already fled in terror in what is a growing humanitarian crisis. many, many more afghans will be uprooted as the fighting goes on. our teams are out in the field in kabul today trying to understand the needs, and really have described to me that this is the worst situation that they have seen in kabul ever. the scale of people

who are arriving from provinces all across the country is really unlike something that we have seen before, with people who have fled their homes with just the clothes on their back and who are scared about relatives who are still in the areas where they're from. the afghan government says it's doing what it can to repel the taliban, but the eu has estimated that 65% of afghanistan is now out of their hands. in some places, afghan forces have given up with barely a fight. this is the city of kunduz, which the taliban took at the weekend. with the militants now taking the battle to the towns and cities of afghanistan, casualties are mounting fast and aid agencies are becoming increasingly alarmed. caroline hawley, bbc news. i will be talking to one aid agency injust a moment. our correspondent yogita limaye is in the capital, kabul. the pace at which the taliban

is taking control of provincial capitals has shocked people in this country, the government of afghanistan and its international partners. the government says that its forces are trying to regain control of some of these cities, but the surge in violence has led to a humanitarian crisis not seen in decades. we were in the north of kabul city today where thousands of people have come in just over the past few days, fleeing areas around the country where there's been intense fighting. on the ground there, there's a sense of desperation. people literally packed up everything they had and left very quickly, so they are not carrying very much. we saw some people coming in to distribute food and they would be surrounded by scores of people immediately. we didn't see the presence of government agencies or humanitarian agencies, so there is a lot of anger as well about people being left to fend for themselves. they have come to kabul because they believe this is the last bastion of safety.

from here, there's nowhere else to run. but increasingly now, there are concerns about how long the government will be able to keep control of the capital city of afghanistan. that was our correspondent in cobble. the emergency co—ordinator from medecins sans frontieres, or doctors without borders, martine flokstra, joins us now from amsterdam. we are hearing such desperate reports already but perhaps you can summarise for our viewers what your staff are telling you on the ground, how many people they are having to deal with? the how many people they are having to deal with? , ., ., , deal with? the situation is horrific- — deal with? the situation is horrific. currently - deal with? the situation is horrific. currently we - deal with? the situation is horrific. currently we are l deal with? the situation is - horrific. currently we are seeing at first—hand the impact of the violence is taking place in many areas of the country. we are concerned in many ways. in the areas of heavy fighting, see people being

killed and wounded and a steep increase of the people we are treating for wounds by air strikes or bullets. at the same time, we see a steep decrease of all the patients were normally tweeting, for instance when normally we would have 500 people coming to our busy er where a lot of women would come to deliver their children, and at the moment their children, and at the moment the population is afraid to come to the population is afraid to come to the hospital because it is simply too violent. people displaced, we try to intervene in kandahar in informal settlements where people flee to but it's a desperate situation. flee to but it's a desperate situation-— flee to but it's a desperate situation. ., , ., situation. people are too frightened to travel to get _ situation. people are too frightened to travel to get treatment _ situation. people are too frightened to travel to get treatment they - to travel to get treatment they need, so this could be people with

infections, all sorts of conditions, winning giving birth without any medical assistance, that sort of situation? ., , situation? -- women giving birth. exactl , situation? -- women giving birth. exactly. and _ situation? -- women giving birth. exactly, and for _ situation? -- women giving birth. exactly, and for example, - situation? -- women giving birth. exactly, and for example, over i situation? -- women giving birth. | exactly, and for example, over the past week in lashkar gah, our modernity has been extremely calm and at the same time we treated more than 170 people for war wounds. —— our maternity. and on saturday, when there was a bit of calm in the active conflict, immediately ten women came to the hospital to deliver their child, so we are concerned of all the patients who cannot reach the health services they need. cannot reach the health services they need-— cannot reach the health services the need. �* ., they need. and in terms of how your teams are able _ they need. and in terms of how your teams are able to _ they need. and in terms of how your teams are able to even _ they need. and in terms of how your teams are able to even operate, - they need. and in terms of how your teams are able to even operate, you must have concerns about their safety and about practicalities, supplies and so on?— safety and about practicalities, supplies and so on? yes. our teams, for instance — supplies and so on? yes. our teams, for instance in _ supplies and so on? yes. our teams, for instance in lashkar _ supplies and so on? yes. our teams, for instance in lashkar gah, - supplies and so on? yes. our teams, for instance in lashkar gah, our - for instance in lashkar gah, our team is the lifeline. we are working

in the provincial hospital of the whole province of helmand and the team is currently living since ten days inside the hospital together with the patients to provide health. our supplies are now still good at a certain moment in time that will not be the case. and in all the areas of conflict fighting in afghanistan, it is essential that patients, staff and hospitals continue to be not part of a battlefield, but to be protected. i5 part of a battlefield, but to be protected-— part of a battlefield, but to be rotected. , ,., ., protected. is there something that western governments _ protected. is there something that western governments can - protected. is there something that western governments can do - protected. is there something that western governments can do to i protected. is there something that i western governments can do to help you, to help your teams? i western governments can do to help you, to help your teams?— you, to help your teams? i think that the crucial— you, to help your teams? i think that the crucial focus _ you, to help your teams? i think that the crucial focus is - you, to help your teams? i think that the crucial focus is on i that the crucial focus is on protection of populations and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches the population who so desperately needs it. that

should be the full focus of everybody involved. martine flokstra, — everybody involved. martine flokstra, thank _ everybody involved. martine flokstra, thank you - everybody involved. martine flokstra, thank you so i everybody involved. martine flokstra, thank you so much everybody involved. martine i flokstra, thank you so much for everybody involved. martine - flokstra, thank you so much for your time and thank you for talking to us, she is the emergency coordinator for msf, medecins sans frontieres, talking about their teams in afghanistan. a british man has been arrested in germany on suspicion of spying for russia. the man worked at the british embassy in berlin and is said to have passed documents to a russian intelligence agent on at least one occasion, in return for cash. our correspondent matt colejoins me now. you have been following this story and we spoke before about continuing activities in court, hearings, so bring us up to date with that. the man who is _ bring us up to date with that. iie: man who is only known bring us up to date with that. "ii2 man who is only known as bring us up to date with that. i“i2 man who is only known as david bring us up to date with that. ii2 man who is only known as david s, we don't have his full name because of privacy laws, he was arrested in

potsdam, outside berlin, on tuesday and this afternoon he has been appearing in court which will give him the chance to answer the charges that are being put against him. according to german prosecutors, they are that he is suspected for working for a foreign secret service since november 2020, specifically it is claimed that on at least one occasion since november 2020 he has passed over documents in exchange for money although we don't know how much. we are yet to hear the outcome of that hearing. beyond that, we know he is 57, because the met police here have told us they have been working through their counterterror command with their german opposite numbers on this case, a joint operation albeit one led by the german side of the equation. but at the moment, we are currently waiting to hear the outcome of this hearing that has been ongoing this lunchtime. 25nd

outcome of this hearing that has been ongoing this lunchtime. and any other comments _ been ongoing this lunchtime. and any other comments from _ been ongoing this lunchtime. and any other comments from either - been ongoing this lunchtime. and any other comments from either side i been ongoing this lunchtime. and any other comments from either side at i other comments from either side at this stage? it’s other comments from either side at this state? �*, ., other comments from either side at this state? 3 ., ,., other comments from either side at this state? 3 ., ., this stage? it's worth pointing out that in a statement _ this stage? it's worth pointing out that in a statement from - this stage? it's worth pointing out that in a statement from the i this stage? it's worth pointing out| that in a statement from the home office, they describe this man, david s, as someone who was working on a contract for the government. i would suggest not a diplomat. when the hearing is done, we might get a bit more detail. it is not thought that it will be a straightforward case, it is complicated, and therefore we understand the judge will not necessarily be a real on whether the warrant for the arrest that has been issued under the german system, if you like, will be allowed to go ahead. if it is, it might not say that today and we might not say that today and we might not say that today and we might not find out until tomorrow. is worth pointing out, in earlier statements we have heard, that it is an ongoing investigation and probably worth pointing out that counterterror command from the met has the responsibility of investigating breaches of the official secrets act so it's probably worth bearing that in mind

as we wait to hear perhaps a bit more substance of the wider elements of the case. ., ., more substance of the wider elements of the case. ., ~' , more substance of the wider elements of the case. ., ,, i. , . ., of the case. thank you very much for now. in russia, the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny has been charged with another crime. the investigative committee, which looks into major crimes in russia, says it has now charged alexei navalny with "creating a non—profit organisation that infringes on the rights of citizens." the us government has been allowed to expand the basis of its appeal against the high court's decision not to extradite the wikileaks founderjulian assange. injanuary, a judge refused to grant a request for assange to face trial in the united states on spying charges, ruling he was at serious risk of suicide. clair dobbin, a lawyer representing the us government, said the judge "didn't appreciate the weight" of expert evidence that concluded assange was not a suicide risk.

four gang members have been found guilty of murdering an nhs worker who was stabbed in east london. prosecutors say david gomoh was randomly attacked as he talked on the phone to his girlfriend last april. he staggered back home and died in front of his family. his killers will be sentenced in september. there are calls for an overhaul of the way a—levels are assessed and graded in the future, after this year's results saw record numbers given top marks. almost 45% of entries in england, wales and northern ireland were awarded a or a star, fuelling concerns that soaring grades risk undermining confidence in the system. ministers are reported to be looking at replacing the traditional a to e grades with numbers, similar to gcses. sean dilley reports. the ring of success could barely resonate louder for many students across the uk still celebrating

a top year for marks. but now the government is under pressure to review the way qualifications are assessed and concerns have been raised about the attainment gap between fee—paying schools in england, where around seven in ten students acheived an a or a star, compared to state schools, where around four in ten did. the labour party is among those calling for change. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the results that they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger, and there is baked—in unfairness. and yet again it is the students who most need the support of government who are not getting that support. the government's former education tsar for england, who resigned over a high—profile disagreement about catch—up funding, is backing calls for a review but believes that fairness issues are much wider than an attainment gap between state and fee—paying schools in england. i think we should be worried. i think we should be worried about not only the gap at a—levels but the gap we see

throughout the system. to tackle that and to deal with that we need a comprehensive, robust and long—term plan. i don't believe that recovery will happen naturally and i think if we don't do something intentional about it, we will have growing inequality in our education system. uk students taking a—levels, scottish highers and vocational qualifications have been subject to teacher—assessed grading to calculate their grades. in a recent pre—pandemic years, the government in england has put a higherfocus on exam day performance. the fairest means of assessing - people is by continuous assessment, and the only way that can be done properly is if teachers _ are taught how to assess. the government is now under pressure to review how qualifications are assessed in the future — for instance, by replacing a—level grades with numbered marks. but there is currently no review. as the uk's top universities warn of unprecedented demand, the education secretary, gavin williamson, has acknowledged qualifications will need to look different next year. the clear message from westminster now, though, is that students impacted by the pandemic are not

to blame and they should be able to move onto the next stage and celebrate their success. sean dilley, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... thousands of civilians flee major afghan cities, as the taliban continues to gain ground, while president biden says he doesn't regret withdrawing us troops from the country. prosecutors in germany say a british man who worked at the uk embassy in berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a—levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality. wildfires are continuing to devastate parts of europe, north africa and america, amid intense heatwaves and drought.

emergency teams in greece are tackling hundreds of blazes, and in algeria, 65 people have been killed in a series of fires, many of them soldiers battling to put them out. danai howard reports. dozens killed and lands scorched. algeria is the latest mediterranean country to face disastrous wildfires. more than 100 fires are raging in several provinces east of the capital, algiers, claiming the lives are both civilians and soldiers who are deployed to rescue algerians from the flames. translation: there are fires everywhere. we have not seen the government here. we do not have a state. the algerian president, abdelmadjid tebboune, has sent his condolences to the families of those who died. he tweeted that 25 members of the army have died after they succeeded in rescuing more than 100 citizens from the blazing fire.

these have become worryingly familiar scenes as wildfires continue to burn across several countries. greece's prime minister apologised to the nation for the fires that have been tearing through since late july, and said climate change has fuelled the wildfires, increasing the risk of hot, dry weather. his minister in charge of civil protection broke down when asked about the country's failings. translation: iwant to say something. i every house that is lost is a tragedy for all of us and is a strike to our hearts. but what i know is that a massive battle has raged during recent days. we have all remained without sleep throughout all of these days. more high temperatures are expected in the coming weeks, meaning more land and lives could be vulnerable. danai howard, bbc news. in northern california,

firefighters are continuing to tackle a wildfire which has become the second largest in state history. the dixie fire is one of 11 major wildfires currently burning in california and has already destroyed hundreds of buildings and entire communities. our correspondent barbara plett usher reports. in the remote eastern mountains of california, the dixie fire devours acre after acre of wild land. exhausted firefighters are battling a blaze unlike any they have seen before. a perfect storm of severe heat, drought and wind, plus the slope of the tinder dry terrain, is driving its rapid spread. this week, scientists directly linked such conditions to climate change. climate change doesn't cause wildfires or heatwaves or drought. what it does is make them a lot worse. that is what is happening in california, and the forecast does not look good. so people are learning the hard way how to live with the new normal. the fire has left a ghostly landscape in its wake. days ago, dixie tore

through greenville, an historic gold rush town, forcing its residents to flee for safety. no—one died, but homes and businesses were reduced to ash and rubble. evacuation warnings for other communities under threat have been issued in four counties. some greenville residents took shelter in a nearby town, traumatised by loss and dazed by displacement. it's gone. there's several times in the last week i wished i could just go home. and then i remember i can't go home. there's nothing to go back to. even if the house survived, like, pretty much the rest of town is gone. there's no water, there's no, you know... everything is gone. i don't even know, i have no idea what to do, or where to go. i'm kind of lost. and, erm... and my personal situation on top of it, i'm just overwhelmed. i'm completely overwhelmed. leaning on the help of neighbours is not as rare as it might once have been. fires have become so frequent and so intense, the traditionalfire

season no longer seems to exist. normally it reaches its worst only later in the year. some of the folks that have been evacuated, have been evacuated many times over the past couple of years. we have seen some folks who have come to a shelter forjust a few days, to return home, to come back again, because of those evacuation warnings. so there's a lot of uncertainty for some folks who might not know what the status is of their home, or what they are going back to. it may take weeks to contain dixie, with still more months of smoke and fire ravaging the west after that. right now, the priority of firefighters is to defend lives and homes, to prevent another greenville from happening. barbara plett usher, bbc news, los angeles. a senior government adviser has told the bbc that a mass rollout of a third booster dose of the covid vaccine may not be needed. professor adam finn, who sits on thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation,

said it is still "unclear" whether all over 50s should be offered a third jab this autumn. our health correspondentjim reed explained why a third booster had been suggested. there are two reasons why scientists and politicians might want to go ahead with this. one is to top up immunity. there are some early signs in some research that, over time, the immunity you gain from taking a vaccine might fade although at the moment research in that is ongoing. the second main reason is the potential emergence of new variants of the virus this autumn and, again, a third booster dose might offer some extra protection against that. yesterday the health secretary for england, sajid javid, was asked about this, and he suggested the plan would probably be all over 50s would be offered a booster shot at the same time as their flu shot this autumn. but before going ahead, politicians in every part of the uk, every nation, are waiting on advice,

final advice, from this independent group of scientists called thejcvi. and on the bbc this morning, professor adam finn, who sits on that body, said two things. one, it was quite likely that a small number of very vulnerable patients would get this third dose of a jab — so if they have suppressed immune systems, if they are dealing with cancer treatment or a transplant, for example. but he said studies to work out if it is worth rolling it out much wider, to all those over 50, were ongoing, and he said a final decision on that was still, as he put it, uncertain. we need to review evidence as to whether people who receive vaccine early on in the programme really are at any serious risk of getting serious disease or whether the protection they have got from those first two doses is still strong. we clearly don't want to be giving vaccines to people who don't need them. so, this debate is coming at a time when other scientists have raised concerns and doubts about whether giving this third booster dose is really worth it, both from a health point of view but also potentially

from an ethical point of view. this idea is it really right for people in this country to get a third dose while people in some developing countries are struggling to get a first dose? we are likely to hear more about this in the next couple of weeks with a final decision probably taken before september. our health correspondentjim reed. a baby with a fatal condition has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. 11—month—old edward, from colchester, has severe spinal muscular atrophy, which means he lacks a protein vital for muscle development. he received the new gene therapy zolgensma, which costs nearly £1.8 ed wood needs a single transfusion to transform his life which costs

£1.79 million and is administered at the children's hospital in sheffield. without medical intervention, he would not live until his second birthday point of his parents have been scared he would not get the amazing chance of life. we would not get the amazing chance of life. ~ ., , would not get the amazing chance of life. 2 . , ,., ., life. we are 'ust so relieved and excited, life. we are just so relieved and excited, scared _ life. we are just so relieved and excited, scared and _ life. we are just so relieved and i excited, scared and apprehensive. nervous. absolutely completely petrified! it is a game changer, it is absolutely changed the face of sma. , ., , ., , , sma. this was when he was seven weeks old in _ sma. this was when he was seven weeks old in hospital— sma. this was when he was seven weeks old in hospital having i sma. this was when he was seven weeks old in hospital having just l weeks old in hospital having just been resuscitated by his dad put it was later diagnosed with severe spinal muscular atrophy. thea;r spinal muscular atrophy. they deliver a new _ spinal muscular atrophy. they deliver a new working - spinal muscular atrophy. they deliver a new working copies of the genes— deliver a new working copies of the genes to _ deliver a new working copies of the genes to the motor neuron cells. this new— genes to the motor neuron cells. this new drug contains a replica of the missing gene, halting the progression of the disease, helping babies breed without a ventilator and even crawl and walk. iie and even crawl and walk. he shouldn't — and even crawl and walk. he shouldn't really feel anything he -ot shouldn't really feel anything he got a _ shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula _ shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in _ shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in which _ shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in which is - shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in which is a - shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in which is a bit i shouldn't really feel anything he got a cannula in which is a bit of| got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic— got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic into _ got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic into his _

got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic into his vein. _ got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic into his vein. and - got a cannula in which is a bit of plastic into his vein. and the i got a cannula in which is a bit of. plastic into his vein. and the drug goes _ plastic into his vein. and the drug goes through _ plastic into his vein. and the drug goes through that _ plastic into his vein. and the drug goes through that over— plastic into his vein. and the drug goes through that over an - plastic into his vein. and the drug goes through that over an hour. l plastic into his vein. and the drugl goes through that over an hour. in june, goes through that over an hour. june, five months aso became goes through that over an hounm june, five months aso became the first baby to receive the revolutionary treatment on the nhs. now edward is one of a handful of babies being treated for the first time at the children's hospital in sheffield. . ~ �* time at the children's hospital in sheffield. ,, ~ ~ , , sheffield. sma itself is the most common genetic _ sheffield. sma itself is the most common genetic condition i sheffield. sma itself is the most common genetic condition that l sheffield. sma itself is the most i common genetic condition that causes infant deaths and severe disability worldwide. about 90% of children with sma type one would die by aged two, so this treatment will drastically change the disease progression and outcome of each patient. progression and outcome of each atient. ., ., �* progression and outcome of each atient. ., ~ ., progression and outcome of each atient. ., ., �* ~ ., ., �*, patient. you don't know what's around the _ patient. you don't know what's around the corner, _ patient. you don't know what's around the corner, there i patient. you don't know what's around the corner, there is i patient. you don't know what'sl around the corner, there is only five years— around the corner, there is only five years worth of data. from what i've five years worth of data. from what i've seen _ five years worth of data. from what i've seen four other children, they -et i've seen four other children, they get stronger, so the world really is his oyster~ — get stronger, so the world really is his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea — his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he _ his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he has _ his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he hasjust _ his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he hasjust received i his oyster. thank you, guys. edward has no idea he hasjust received the | has no idea he hasjust received the most expensive drug in the world, or how his life will now be

transformed, but his parents feel he finally has a future. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good afternoon. today is shaping up to be a tale of two halves with a weather front pushing into the west and that has brought some rain, some of it heavy, and a slightly cooler feel. brightening up into scotland and northern ireland and ahead of it is where we have the best of the sunshine and the warmth. temperatures peaking at 25 degrees, 77 fahrenheit. the weather front continues to think steadily south and east through the night. a band of rain, a few spots are visible as well, but under clear skies we will continue to see temperatures fall away, down into single figures in rural areas of scotland. starting tomorrow on a quieter note with a good deal of dry, sunny weather. a weak weather front producing drizzle. as we go through the afternoon an area of low pressure will bring rain into scotland

and northern ireland and north—west scotland. temperatures in the high teens as a maximum but further south temperatures of 2a degrees.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: thousands of civilians flee major afghan cities, as the taliban continue to gain ground — while president biden says he doesn't regret withdrawing us troops from the country. a british man working at the uk's embassy in berlin is arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality. at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them 25 soldiers fighting the fires.

a baby from essex with severe spinal muscular atrophy has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. sport, and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre here's chetan. good afternoon. lionel messi says he dreams of winning the champions league once more — after being officially unveiled as a paris st—germain player today. after 21 years and 35 trophies at barcelona, he decided to leave because the club couldn't afford a new deal under la liga's financial fair play rules. the 34—year—old admits it's been an emotional week — but says he's looking forward to the challenge ahead. translation: i am very happy to be here and i want to get going. - i still want to play and i still want to win just as much as when i started my career.

with these players and the staff, i think the club is ready to fight for all of the trophies. i want to keep growing and winning titles, and that is why i have come to this club. and messi and his family seem to be settling right in — here he is with his three sons on the pitch at the parc des princes stadium. and it looks like they love football just as much as their dad and definitely weren't going to miss this open goal. messi is set to play in psg's frontline alongside the two most expensive players of all time — his former barcelona team—mate neymar and kylian mbappe. defending the club's spending on tranfers and wages, psg president nasser al—khelaifi says what they're doing is in line with financial fair play rules. i ,as , as soon as we signed we check with

our financial people and if not we are not going to sign him. today as you can see what he can bring to the club is huge. like psg, manchester city are desperate to win the champions league for the first time too. they've spent £100 million bringing jack grealish to the club and city striker phil foden says, after they struck up a friendship playing for england this summer, he's looking foward to teaming up with grealish in a city shirt this season. it's really nice to have jack here at man city. when we were at england we got on so well. i know how much of a great player he has that what he is going to bring to the team so i am looking forward to getting back on the pitch and hopefully we can play together. the team that beat city in last season's champions league final — chelsea — take on the europa league winners villareal in the uefa super

cup tonight in belfast. the pre—match buildup has centred on the reported return of romelu lukaku to chelsea. the belgium striker�*s expected to re—sign for the club he left seven years ago but head coach thomas tuchel�*s refused to be drawn on the speculation. we miss a certain profile of attacker. then we need to wait and see what is possible, what isn't possible. we are not in a panic, and we are happy to work with the team and today there is nothing to announce. england are set to be without stuart broad and possibly james anderson too for the second test against india at lord's, which starts tomorrow. they were both missing when the squad practised this morning. anderson has a quad niggle and broad is struggling with a calf problem. lancashire's saqib mahmood has been called up as cover, butjonny bairstow thinks england could cope without broad and anderson. i do not see why there is any reason why we cannot cope.

we have had a lot of people stand up previously within the bowling and batting group and we saw when we were dealt cards during the one—day side that whole new team that came together and the performances they put in. those are potentials, we do not know exactly what is going to be happening tomorrow and we will wait to find out how those guys are but with that comes opportunity, the opportunity for someone to come in to be playing a test match at lord's back with full crowds as well against india, it is an exciting prospect and opportunity for those individuals that are going to do that. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. an armed surveillance officer has described how he shot the streatham attacker sudesh amman as he ran towards him holding a knife. amman stabbed two people on a busy high street in london in february 2020,

ten days after he was released from a prison sentence for terrorism offences. helena wilkinson sent us this update from the royal courts ofjustice. we have been hearing from that surveillance officer who has been describing those moments when he came face—to—face with the streatham attacker. he has been telling the jury that he was part of a nine—man surveillance team. they had been following sudesh amman that day on the 2nd of february last year. he had been staying at a hostel in streatham. the reason for that was that he had been released from prison ten days earlier and was on licence. the officer described how they followed him when he left the hostel on foot and by car as well and the officer then said at some point over the radio he heard a colleague say, "he's stabbing people." the officer told the jury, "i immediately drew my glock pistol. i knew that would be the best weapon

to instantly incapacitate mr amman." the officer then told the jury he then approached and went towards the incident and he said to them, "almost as soon as i looked up i saw mr amman running towards me. he had a large butcher's knife at least eight inches long in his left hand and held it up in front of him." the officer then went on to say, "i thought he was going to stab me and kill me or certainly seriously injure me." the officer then said he took his pistol in both hands, he fired a shot at the man, it didn't have any effect at all, then said he chased him and he said he and his colleague then locked eyes with sudesh amman. they both fired a number of other shots and amman then fell to the ground and his colleague kicked the knife out of his hands. the jury are continuing to hear

further evidence today. this afternoon we are going to hear from another of the surveillance officers who will give evidence, but this morning that dramatic evidence from the surveillance officer telling the jury, describing in his words how he came face—to—face with the attacker and feared for his life. the boyfriend of a british woman who went missing while hiking in the pyrenees last november has found her body. esther dingley, who was 37 and from durham, had been walking solo in the mountains near the spanish and french border. her partner daniel colegate had spent weeks walking hundreds of miles searching for her since she went missing. graham satchell has this report. this is the last picture of esther dingley, a selfie taken high up in the pyrenees sent to her boyfriend dan in november last year. she'd been hiking on her own when she went missing. esther and dan had spent the last seven years travelling around europe

ina campervan. they'd given up a successful business career for the freedom of the road after dan had a life—changing health scare. search teams combed mountain trails for weeks and weeks after esther disappeared. last month, a small piece of her bone was found next to animal remains. now her body and belongings have been discovered by her partner, dan. he's walked hundreds and hundreds of miles looking for signs of her. in a statement, the charity lbt global, which is helping the family, said... esther dingley was 37, a confident solo hiker. last year, dan told the bbc she was doing what she absolutely loved to do and had never been happier. graham satchell, bbc news.

a group of former gurkha soldiers who are on hunger strike outside downing street say they are getting weaker by the day. they are calling for ghurkas who retired before 1997 to be eligible for a uk armed forces pension. ministers say they're committed to ensuring the ghurka pension scheme is sustainable and fair. our correspondent lebo diseko reports. british and gurkha troops are battling to split the terrorist into isolated bands, and then wipe them out one by one. they are a force that has served the crown for more than 200 years, fighting all over the world. but these gurkha veterans do not receive a full uk armed forces pension. they are now on hunger strike and say they are willing to die to right what they see as an historic wrong. gurkhas who retired before 1997 were part

of the gurkha pension scheme. they receive less than those in the armed forces pension scheme because it was thought they would retire in nepal. the gurkhas are coming! but in 2009, after a high—profile campaign backed by the actress joanna lumley, most gurkhas were allowed to settle in the uk. many now say they are struggling to survive on pensions that don't meet the cost of living here. my counterpart gets nowadays over 1200 to £1300. i'm getting somewhere £350. this man joined the gurkhas at the age of 17 and served for 20 years. we want to be treated equal to the british in every aspect, according to the tripartite agreement�*s spirit. that is what the british government does not want. these veterans say they have been failed by successive governments, both labour and conservative. i want to work cross

party to find a solution. it cannot be right that the government is treating gurkha veterans this way, that they are resorting to going on hunger strike. and i think parliamentarians need to step up and take action. ben wallace needs to look out of his window, walk the ten minutes to where this protest is taking place, and take action. a spokesperson for the ministry of defence said in a statement... these gurkha veterans say they want the british and nepalese government to set a date for talks about their plight, and say they want a gurkha representative to be there. if that happens within three months, they are willing to postpone their hunger strike. lebo diseko, bbc news. lamb reared on the salt marshes of the gower peninsula in south wales has become the first food in the uk to be granted protected status after brexit. other products already protected under european law —

such as cornish pasties — are also included in the scheme. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, has more. unfortunately, the elements are against us, because otherwise i would be showing this glorious coastline on the gower, and out there somewhere, the sheep that get to graze on samphire, sorrel and sea lavender. that is what gives the salt marsh lamb on the gower coast its unique flavour. someone who can tell us far more about it is will pritchard, the farmer here. what makes these lambs unique and worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the marsh. there are so many unique herbs and grasses that grow there. lambs are out there for most of the year. they eat these herbs, it goes into them and the flavour it gives our lambs is absolutely spectacular. what practical difference does this status give you? after all, it only applies within great britain and not beyond in europe. it could be massive for us, in fairness. we have got to expect an increase in demand. it's wonderful publicity for an incredible product. in terms of export, at the moment you are a small—scale supplier,

you are not looking to export to the eu. who actually buys your produce? we have people coming here. but most of what we do at the minute is people online all over the uk, going on the website, clicking away, and we post it to them overnight then, so that's most of our business. is there such a thing as imitation salt marsh lamb? is that a genuine threat? it could be a problem, but i think the product is so good it speaks for itself. thank you very much. unfortunately, the elements are against us. but this is a premium product that you find in some restaurants here. and people from as far afield as scotland, i'm told, click online and buy gower salt marsh lamb. other produce looking for this new gi labelling within great britain include dundee cake, sussex wine and wiltshire cured lamb. the uk government keen post—brexit to put its own stamp on produce. others will argue it is yet more paperwork forfarmers who want to protect their unique and authentic produce.

the headlines on bbc news: thousands of civilians flee major afghan cities, as the taliban continue to gain ground — while president biden says he doesn't regret withdrawing us troops from the country. prosecutors in germany say a british man who worked at the uk embassy in berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality. seahorses off the coast of dorset that are at risk from the anchors of boats could be protected by new "eco—moorings". the creatures are under threat because anchors drag along the sea bed, damaging their fragile habitat. now, experts in studland bay have come up with a new way for boats

to moor, asjohn maguire reports. these underwater meadows of seagrass provide a vital habitat teeming with wildlife, and it's where you can find the spiny seahorse. boots and this popular area can create serious problems. it is the noise, create serious problems. it is the noise. the _ create serious problems. it is the noise, the anchors, _ create serious problems. it is the noise, the anchors, the _ create serious problems. it is the noise, the anchors, the general. noise, the anchors, the general movement— noise, the anchors, the general movement of everything. it's the noise, the anchors, the general movement of everything seems to affect the seahorses. they're very prone to stress,

and so if you can sort of reduce that stress then they're quite happy, relaxed seahorses. if they have a lot of stress, then they move back out to sea. the wildlife presenter steve backshall has dived here, and says boat anchors and mooring chains can damage the sea bed. they completely destroy all the substrate around it, which means that all the seagrass dies, and it gets rid of that binding substrate, which then washes away as sand. and so you just end up with these big, barren circles around all the moorings. and within that, nothing can live — and particularly not seahorses. so, here's a solution. the seahorse trust is installing this environmentally—friendly design. instead of a chain, the mooring is attached to a fixed point in the sea bed via a rubber line that stretches with the tide and minimises damage. divers put this screw anchor into the sea bed. it goes in around seven feet deep, into the sea bed, then connected to these rubber pieces here — thick, dense rubber. this is what replaces the chains on a traditional mooring that are said to do so much of the damage.

this is held vertically by these floats here. there's then another rubberised cable that goes up to the buoy, which obviously floats on the surface. a boat can come up and clip onto there. the university of southampton is monitoring the efficacy of the eco—moorings. and, if proved to be beneficial, it will mean seafarers and seahorses can co—exist peacefully. john maguire, bbc news, dorset. winchester is the least affordable city in the country to buy a home in — that's according to the halifax. it's released new figures which suggest properties in the hampshire commuter city cost 1a times average earnings, significantly higher than the uk average — typically, people have

to pay eight times average earnings to buy a home. winchester has overtaken oxford. john leeson is managing director of belgarum estate agents in winchester. good afternoon. good afternoon. were ou good afternoon. good afternoon. were you surprised — good afternoon. good afternoon. were you surprised by _ good afternoon. good afternoon. were you surprised by this _ good afternoon. good afternoon. were you surprised by this finding _ good afternoon. good afternoon. were you surprised by this finding from i you surprised by this finding from the halifax? mo. you surprised by this finding from the halifax?— the halifax? no. winchester is a truly great _ the halifax? no. winchester is a truly great place _ the halifax? no. winchester is a truly great place to _ the halifax? no. winchester is a truly great place to live. - the halifax? no. winchester is a truly great place to live. but - truly great place to live. but exnensive — truly great place to live. but expensive now! _ truly great place to live. but expensive now! yes, - truly great place to live. but - expensive now! yes, expensive. i cuess expensive now! yes, expensive. i guess where _ expensive now! yes, expensive. i guess where we _ expensive now! yes, expensive. i guess where we are _ expensive now! yes, expensive. i guess where we are located - expensive now! yes, expensive. i guess where we are located just i expensive now! yes, expensive. i. guess where we are located just now from london. you guess where we are located 'ust now from london.— guess where we are located 'ust now from london. you have hit one of the ke oints from london. you have hit one of the key points because _ from london. you have hit one of the key points because we _ from london. you have hit one of the key points because we all _ from london. you have hit one of the key points because we all know- from london. you have hit one of the| key points because we all know about the ways in which covid has changed lives for a lot of people and i wonder whether you think... what are

people telling you when they phone up people telling you when they phone up and enquire? p pandemic some people would have thought i am not committing another minimum each way to get home, before you take into account getting across london and on the tube and all the rest of it, so what are people saying about what is doable and why they are interested in your city?— doable and why they are interested in your city? winchester has always been a pepular _ in your city? winchester has always been a popular city. _ in your city? winchester has always| been a popular city. post-pandemic in your city? winchester has always i been a popular city. post-pandemic! been a popular city. post—pandemic i think people are able to be more flexible with their working and may be able to work a bit from home and they want some countryside. for those who _ they want some countryside. for those who do — they want some countryside. for those who do not know winchester, sell it to us a little bit more,

apart from proximity to places that people might need to get to for work, not only london, others besides, but it is notjust about proximity. what makes it so attractive? what do people like when they come through and your estate agency and say i want to live here? it has got a very warm feel, it is great forfamilies, we have it has got a very warm feel, it is great for families, we have a fantastic city with a lot of history. we are in the heart of the hampshire countryside so you can be very close to great fishing or selling our activities in the new forest but winchester also i can step out of the office or my house and i can be in the city but within five minutes.— five minutes. the best of both worlds. talk _

five minutes. the best of both worlds. talk to _ five minutes. the best of both worlds. talk to us _ five minutes. the best of both worlds. talk to us about - five minutes. the best of both i worlds. talk to us about business and how things are right now because we talk so much at the height of the pandemic and the stamp duty holiday and we all know what that did to the market. our things still busy now? absolutely. there is a healthy demand from buyers locally and nationally and internationally, so we have got buyers from all over the globe looking. we have got buyers from all over the globe looking-— globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. _ globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. i _ globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. i will _ globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. i will let _ globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. i will let you - globe looking. interesting, from all over the globe. i will let you get. over the globe. i will let you get back to work. thank you very much. winchester has overtaken oxford this year as the most expensive place to try to buy a home related to earnings. that may not be a good thing, but are very popular part of the country clearly.

if you've ever spent a couple of nights under canvas, you'll know the relief of getting back into your own bed. that's a feeling max woosey has not experienced in well over a year. the ii—year—old, from devon, has just spent his 500th night in the great outdoors to raise money for charity. andrew plant went to see how he was marking the occasion. hi, i'm max. this is my home. as you can see, i've got all my teddies. he hasn't slept indoors since march last year. after 499 nights in a tent... ..max is treating himself tonight — building his very own log cabin instead. so, you've done 499 nights in a tent, but your 500th is under wood. is that going to be weird? no, cos, like... i'm in this and...|�*ve built this pretty well. but you know what? we've got a little tarp, so if it does rain,

then i won't get soaked. i thought for my 500th night it'd be a bit more crazy, a bit more fun. max was inspired by his next—door neighbour, who was dying of cancer. rick gave him a tent and told him to have an adventure. max decided to raise money for the hospice that looked after him instead. he just had to persuade his parents first. well, i said a straight no to begin with. there was still frost on the ground, so it was just an outright no. and then he asked again the next day, and again it was no. and then after i think three or four days, we said, well, ok, you can do a night. and then he said that he wanted to set up a fundraiser. how did you react to that? he said that he would like to raise money for the north devon hospice. and i actually said to him, "that's a really nice idea, but i don't think anybody will really be bothered that you're sleeping outside. " does he remind you? he reminds me about that every single time his total goes up. and go up it has — every single day.

he's now raised well over half a million pounds. max is now on tent number ten, and it's not all been in his back garden. he's pitched up at downing street for tea with the pm, spent a night at london zoo... horn beeps. ..even been given a military escort to school. i'm freezing cold... he's slept out in snow, braved plenty of wet and windy weather... the winds picking up. ..and not once been tempted to tiptoe back upstairs. really gusty! so, tonight it will be a different view to fall asleep to — no tent overhead, just tree branches instead. do you ever think you'll stop sleeping outside? i definitely could. just don't want to. so, it's lights out one more time for max — for the 500th night and counting. andrew plant, bbc news.

rather him than me! that is very impressive. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good afternoon. wednesday, it's all been about a west—east divide across the country, with the best of the sunshine certainly the further east you are. a beautiful morning for a round of golf in lowestoft, as you can see by this weather watcher picture. further west, there has been some cloud and some rain around. just as stunning but some of the rain has been quite heavy at times across parts of north—west scotland. you can see from the radar where i'm talking about. turning quite showery as it moves its way through north—west england and wales, the best of any brighter weather continuing further east. with the sunshine we will see some warmth. underneath the cloud and the rain a little bit cooler with more of a breeze.

western scotland and northern ireland closing the day out with some sunshine and clear skies through this evening will allow temperatures to fall into single figures but as the weather front sinks south and east a band of cloud will prevent the temperatures falling much lower than the mid teens in the london area. a little bit of cloud and drizzle first thing in the morning to encounter on thursday. the low pressure winding its way into the far north—west and that will bring a change as we go through thursday afternoon. some cloud around through central and southern england for a time but staying largely dry. clouding over from the north—west as we go through the day with showery outbreaks of rain into northern ireland, western scotland and north west england. the mid 20s not out of the question across the south—east. friday the low pressure will sit into the far north continuing to spill in some showers

particularly on exposed west coasts. elsewhere largely fine and dry with top temperatures of 22 celsius. moving into the weekend it looks likely the area of low pressure could influence the story for a time and there will be some showers but hopefully high pressure will start to build from the west and quieten things down. certainly not a bad weekend for most of us. what we like to call usable weather to get out and enjoy in the garden. a good deal of dry weather around. just look out for the rain through the first half of the weekend.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines... thousands of civilians are fleeing major afghan cities, as the taliban continues to gain ground, prompting a humanitarian crisis. our reporter has gained exclusive access to the group. a british man working at the uk embassy in berlin is arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a—levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the result they want. but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger and there

is baked—in unfairness. at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them soldiers fighting the fires. and a baby from essex with severe spinal muscular atrophy has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. afghan president ashraf ghani has flown to the key northern city of mazar—i—sharif to rally troops as taliban militants close in on the city. it comes as the taliban claims to have captured

a ninth provincial capital, the north—eastern city of faizabad. the afghan army chief has been removed from his post and thousands of displaced people are pouring into the capital kabul, fleeing fighting in other parts of the country. our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani has been given rare access to newly captured taliban territory near mazar—i—sharif, where militants have been encircling the city. his report was filmed by camerman fred scott. new territory. new weapons. all captured in this unprecedented taliban advance. caught in the middle, afghan families right across the country. how can you justify all this fighting when it's causing the deaths of thousands of ordinary afghans, thousands of ordinary muslims?

you are the ones who started the fighting here, though. shortly after the interview ends, the sound of helicopters. the taliban are still vulnerable to government air strikes. this is this is balkh, a town with ancient roots. thought to be the birthplace of one of islam's best known mystic poets, rumi. now it is under taliban control. we came through here a little earlier this year. back then it was still under government control. now it is one of around 200 district centres taken by the taliban. the market is still busy.

women have apparently been allowed to come here without male companions, if they need to. but elsewhere taliban commanders have reportedly banned them. this man is a local taliban leader. despite what i had been told, he insists they have not made the burqa compulsory. you have also said that women have to wear the burqa, that's right, isn't it? what happens if someone doesn't want to wear it? the next day, a young woman was killed close by, allegedly for wearing immodest clothing.

the taliban denied involvement. they seem to want to play down their more hardline views internationally but at times they are in tune with some conservative afghans. many here praise improved security. accompanied by taliban fighters at all times, it's hard to know what residents really think. having already captured many rural areas and some border crossings, the taliban are now pushing in on afghan cities. half an hour's drive away, in mazar—i—sharif, the government are still in control. there is a greater sense of personal freedom here that it is hard to imagine the taliban accepting. back in balkh district, the insurgents are formalising their own rival government, taking over official buildings. schools are open, though in other areas girls are reportedly

prevented from attending. street cleaners and some bureaucrats still turn up for work. they are overseen by a taliban mayor. he used to be in charge of ammunition supplies. now it is tax. all the money you are collecting is being used to fund the war, right? at the local radio station, the taliban have asserted their authority as well, running non—islamic music being played in public. —— banning. i heard that members of the taliban here caught one man listening to music and to punish him they made him walk without any issues on until he fainted. even if you didn't order

that, that is what some members of the taliban did to this man. many fear the taliban want to resurrect their practice of brutal punishments. they insist they were not responsible for this flogging, supposedly filmed last year. but they did recently hang two child kidnappers in public. on the steps of the government's old courthouse in balkh, the legal system is in force. for many, the taliban's brutal form ofjustice is what scares them the most about the group. but for others, they at least offer a swifter resolution than the notoriously corrupt government courts.

thejudge he says he has never ordered serious corporal punishment and that there is a system of appeal courts, but he defends stoning adulterers and cutting the hands of thieves. what is the punishment for adultery? many people here in afghanistan and around the world would be horrified at the idea of a society where hands are cut, women are stoned to death.

the taliban are capturing new territory on an almost daily basis. they are still facing fierce resistance but they vow to install what they term an islamic government. if that does not come through the stalled peace process, they say, it will come through more violence. secunder kermani, bbc news, balkh. secunder kermani with that distressing report from afghanistan. our correspondent, yogita limaye, is in the capital, kabul. the pace at which the taliban is taking control of provincial capitals has shocked people in this country, the government of afghanistan and its

international partners. the government says that its forces are trying to regain control of some of these cities, but the surge in violence has led to a humanitarian crisis not seen in decades. we were in the north of kabul city today where thousands of people have come in just over the past few days, fleeing areas around the country and left very quickly, so they are not carrying very much. and they would be surrounded by scores of people immediately. they have come to kabul because they believe this from here, there's nowhere else to run.

i will iwill in i will in trouble. —— our correspondent cobble. let's get more on the humanitarian situation in afghanistan. christopher nyamandi is save the children's country director for afghanistan and joins us now from kabul. thank you for your time. there are so many grim reports coming from different parts of the country so perhaps you could explain what are some of your staff are telling you, what you have been hearing, and witnessing. what you have been hearing, and witnessing-— witnessing. thank you for this opportunity- _ witnessing. thank you for this opportunity. indeed, - witnessing. thank you for this opportunity. indeed, these i witnessing. thank you for this | opportunity. indeed, these are witnessing. thank you for this - opportunity. indeed, these are grim reports of afghanistan. might starve in condos have been telling me that they have been assisting children

injured with serious gunshot injuries as well as shrapnel. some have been caught in the crossfire, including air that have happened in kunduz. we have met with families who have had to leave their homes and have found some spots in kunduz where the violence has not been happening and we have been providing assistance. it is the same we are also in kandaharand assistance. it is the same we are also in kandahar and indeed it is a horrific situation in afghanistan. and there are areas without even the basics, as we understand it, no water, no electricity obviously. these are people living already at the margins and now with fear and terror piled on top of that. indeed. you see, afghanistan _ terror piled on top of that. indeed. you see, afghanistan is _ terror piled on top of that. indeed. you see, afghanistan isjust - terror piled on top of that. indeed. | you see, afghanistan isjust coming you see, afghanistan is just coming out over the third wave of the covid pandemic so the whole country was in

a semi—lockdown. then we have drought that was affecting millions, probably 13 million people also needed assistance and right now we were supposed to be providing emergency food assistance already in the areas where the violence is happening. of the country is coming from a very difficult to place and then this increased violence which i think, from my point of view, this needless violence has resulted in further displacement again. it exaggerates the humanitarian situation. ”5 exaggerates the humanitarian situation. , . , ., situation. is there anything that western governments - situation. is there anything that western governments could - situation. is there anything that western governments could or| situation. is there anything that - western governments could or should be doing to try to help you and help children in —— save the children and other charities trying to help? we are a other charities trying to help? , are a available to provide assistance but we need more funding. we need to be allowed access. our

staff have not been able in some instances to be allowed to move, and instances to be allowed to move, and in some instances because of the violence. again, as long as the violence. again, as long as the violence is raging, it's difficult for us and for the security of our staff and for them to move. so we urge the western governments and all people who would like to express solidarity with afghans to stop the violence really so that we can go ahead with the work that needs to be done which is to provide assistance to children in afghanistan. and done which is to provide assistance to children in afghanistan.- to children in afghanistan. and you half answered _ to children in afghanistan. and you half answered my _ to children in afghanistan. and you half answered my next _ to children in afghanistan. and you half answered my next thought - half answered my next thought because i wondered about the security of your own staff? indeed, now 161 of save _ security of your own staff? indeed, now 161 of save the _ security of your own staff? indeed, now 161 of save the children - security of your own staff? indeed, now 161 of save the children staff l now 161 of save the children staff have had to flee their homes. in addition to looking at how to assist children, i'm also beginning to

think about how we can assist our own staff. we have staff here who are worried about the future of our pascal —— future of afghanistan. there are reports about whether women will be allowed to work or move around in afghanistan and i think these are important questions and for our staff it would be impossible for us to deliver effective assistance without female staff being given access to people in need. so it is important that the violence stops. that is the only way we will be able to respond to the needs we see on the ground. and i needs we see on the ground. and i wonder how _ needs we see on the ground. and i wonder how you — needs we see on the ground. and i wonder how you respond _ needs we see on the ground. and i wonder how you respond emotionally to the fact that this is a country where your charity and others have been trying to do good work for a long time and you are now seeing, certainly in some parts of the country, the situation going backwards. country, the situation going backwards-— backwards. it's difficult to stomach- _ backwards. it's difficult to stomach. i— backwards. it's difficult to stomach. i can _ backwards. it's difficult to stomach. i can tell- backwards. it's difficult to stomach. i can tell you i backwards. it's difficult to i stomach. i can tell you that

backwards. it's difficult to - stomach. i can tell you that when i talk to afghans generally, they feel disappointed, they feel left out. yes, we have to have a call for solidarity again. let me give you a good example. when i talk to my staff, they are asking, what assistance can you provide so that i leave afghanistan because i'm not feeling safe any more. and we do not have those pathways. i'm talking about staff who are looking for international organisations working for. you imagine someone in the general population in a village in far—flung area, needing to leave for safety, it's really difficult, it's hard. emotionally, it has been a very draining situation for my staff. , ., , , ., ., ., ~ staff. christopher nyamandi, thank ou so staff. christopher nyamandi, thank you so much _ staff. christopher nyamandi, thank you so much for— staff. christopher nyamandi, thank you so much for talking _ staff. christopher nyamandi, thank

you so much for talking to - staff. christopher nyamandi, thank you so much for talking to us, - staff. christopher nyamandi, thank you so much for talking to us, the. you so much for talking to us, the country director for afghanistan for save the children, reflecting on the situation in the country. and worth pointing out thatjust situation in the country. and worth pointing out that just after az30pm you will be able to hear again an interview i did two o'clock this at afternoon with a young man based at the american university of afghanistan, based in kabul, as someone who lives and works there and his reflections on the state of the country at the moment. that is coming up. the time is 70 minutes past four so i can bring you the new covid data which has come through in the last few minutes. uk recording 101i the last few minutes. uk recording 104 further deaths, that is someone who dies within 28 days of a positive covid test. and in terms of cases, getting on for 30,000 new

cases, getting on for 30,000 new cases of covid—19 in the past 24 out period, 29,612 people testing positive in the last 24—hour period. a british man has been arrested in germany on suspicion of spying for russia. in germany on suspicion the man, who is known only as david s, worked at the british embassy in berlin. he allegedly passed documents to a russian intelligence agent on at least one occasion, in return for cash. he was arrested in potsdam outside berlin on tuesday and his home and workplace have been searched. the home office said the man had been "contracted to work for the government". here's the german foreign ministry spokesman. translation: we take this very seriously, - the idea the detainee was engaged in spying on behalf of the russian intelligence service. secret service spying of a close ally on german soil is not something we can accept. therefore we will follow the ongoing investigations of the attorney general very closely.

in russia, the jailed opposition leader alexei navalny has been charged with another crime. the investigative committee, which looks into major crimes in russia, says it has now charged alexei navalny with "creating a non—profit organisation that infringes on the rights of citizens." the us government has been allowed to expand the basis of its appeal against the high court's decision not to extradite the wikileaks founderjulian assange. injanuary, a judge refused to grant a request for assange to face trial in the united states on spying charges, ruling he was at serious risk of suicide. clair dobbin, a lawyer representing the us government, said the judge "didn't appreciate the weight" of expert evidence that concluded assange was not a suicide risk. there are calls for an overhaul of the way a—levels are assessed and graded in the future,

after this year's results saw record numbers given top marks. almost 45% of entries in england, wales and northern ireland were awarded a or a star, fuelling concerns that soaring grades risk undermining confidence in the system. ministers are reported to be looking at replacing the traditional a to e grades with numbers, similar to gcses. sean dilley reports. the ring of success could barely resonate louder for many students across the uk still celebrating a top year for marks. but now the government is under pressure to review the way qualifications are assessed and concerns have been raised about the attainment gap between fee—paying schools in england, where around seven in ten students acheived an a or a star, compared to state schools, where around four in ten did. the labour party is among those calling for change. well done, by the way, to all of those that got the results that they want.

but the gap now is getting bigger and bigger, and there is baked—in unfairness. and yet again it is the students who most need the support of government who are not getting that support. the government's former education tsar for england, who resigned over a high—profile disagreement about catch—up funding, is backing calls for a review but believes that fairness issues are much wider than an attainment gap between state and fee—paying schools in england. i think we should be worried. i think we should be worried about not only the gap at a—levels but the gap we see throughout the system. to tackle that and to deal with that we need a comprehensive, robust and long—term plan. i don't believe that recovery will happen naturally and i think if we don't do something intentional about it, we will have growing inequality in our education system. uk students taking a—levels, scottish highers and vocational qualifications have been subject to teacher—assessed grading to calculate their grades. in a recent pre—pandemic years, the government in england has put a higherfocus on exam day performance. the fairest means of assessing - people is by continuous assessment,

and the only way that can be done properly is if teachers _ are taught how to assess. the government is now under pressure to review how qualifications are assessed in the future — for instance, by replacing a—level grades with numbered marks. but there is currently no review. as the uk's top universities warn of unprecedented demand, the education secretary, gavin williamson, has acknowledged qualifications will need to look different next year. the clear message from westminster now, though, is that students impacted by the pandemic are not to blame and they should be able to move onto the next stage and celebrate their success. sean dilley, bbc news. four gang members have been found guilty of murdering an nhs worker who was stabbed in east london. prosecutors say david gomoh was randomly attacked as he talked on the phone to his girlfriend last april. he staggered back home and died in front of his family. his killers will be sentenced in september.

in the last few moments, the crown prosecution service have been speaking about today's verdict. david gomoh is a smart, hard looking a dedicated young man who had graduated from university and worked at the nhs. he had no gang links and was loved by many. he was murdered at random during a frenzied attack during the first pandemic lockdown put on the phone to his girlfriend when he was approached by his killers who were unknown to him. the case has highlighted the tragedy that comes from postcode wars and gang rivalries. these individuals had planned to kill anyone they came into contact with those they believed belonged to opposing gangs. david was tragically caught in the middle of this meaningless feud and despite having no connection to gangs, he was killed without hesitation. the impact and fallout of this type of senseless killing simply proves their allegiance to

gangsis simply proves their allegiance to gangs is far—reaching and has left yet another family grieving the loss of their loved one. of the prosecution case included cctv and forensic evidence. we were also able to show thejury forensic evidence. we were also able to show the jury some drawings that were made and found, literate and gang appellation, the location of the med and help to identify some of the med and help to identify some of the killers. these dependents have shown no remorse for their actions through the whole proceedings and acclaimed mistaken identity, some have not made any difference at all but the jury convicted them today. my but the jury convicted them today. my thoughts are very much with the family and friends of david who carried themselves so graciously through the whole proceedings. while nothing can bring david back, we hope that these convictions will bring them some comfort. member of the crown prosecution _ bring them some comfort. member of the crown prosecution service. - a senior government adviser has told

the bbc that a mass rollout of a third booster dose of the covid vaccine may not be needed. professor adam finn, who sits on thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, said it is still "unclear" whether all over 50s should be offered a third jab this autumn. we need to review evidence as to whether people who received vaccine early on in the programme really are in any serious risk of getting serious disease or whether the protection they have got from those first two doses is still strong. we clearly don't want to be giving vaccines to people that don't need them. that was adam finn from the jcvi. i'm joined now by dr deepti gurdasani, a clinical epidemiologist at queen mary university of london. good afternoon. we were meant to get a decision in the next few weeks but what are your thoughts about the need for a boosterjab?— need for a booster 'ab? from a urel need for a booster 'ab? from a purely scientific _ need for a boosterjab? from a purely scientific perspective, i need for a boosterjab? from a i purely scientific perspective, the data from israel suggests that immunity publicly to delta wanes over time and

immunity publicly to delta wanes overtime and in immunity publicly to delta wanes over time and in the groups that were immunised first, they show that for the same age group, people who were immunised several months before others are at higher risk of hospitalisations and despite receiving two doses of vaccine. that suggests there is a level of that waning of immunity but we don't know which groups are at most risk and thatis which groups are at most risk and that is the critical part to understand. we need to remember these are not boosters that address these are not boosters that address the problem of the delta buried, not directed to the delta buried but essentially the same vaccine being given for another dose of —— delta variant. we need to understand what the benefit of that is an in which particular groups. i think it's likely that boosters will be needed in very vulnerable and immunosuppressed groups who we know do not mount an adequate response of the backs and even with two doses, but whether this needs to be widely rolled out is something that is i think unclear at the moment because evidence has not come in from israel yet. we have to watch israel to

understand the benefits of this, particularly given the global shortage of vaccines. that is interesting. _ shortage of vaccines. that is interesting, so _ shortage of vaccines. that is interesting, so just - shortage of vaccines. that is interesting, so just to - shortage of vaccines. that is interesting, so just to clarifyl shortage of vaccines. that is i interesting, so just to clarify in terms of the booster, because we use the phrase a lot, but would it be identical version of what everybody had in theirfirstjab or identical version of what everybody had in their firstjab or second jab? explain that for us. had in their first jab or second jab? explain that for us.- had in their first jab or second jab? explain that for us. what other countries like _ jab? explain that for us. what other countries like israel _ jab? explain that for us. what other countries like israel are _ jab? explain that for us. what other countries like israel are doing - jab? explain that for us. what other countries like israel are doing is - countries like israel are doing is giving essentially the same vaccine. from the jcvi giving essentially the same vaccine. from thejcvi rhetoric, it seems they're talking about the same vaccine because they have not talked about a new booster that deals with multiple variants. i don't think there is any vaccine out there that has been tried and tested with respect to delta yet, and if they are talking about boosters that are in the pipeline and have not come out yet, i don't know. but if we are comparing with countries that are giving boosters at this stage, it's very much the same vaccine to the original variant. so very much the same vaccine to the original variant.— original variant. so you are mentioning _ original variant. so you are mentioning israel - original variant. so you are mentioning israel because | original variant. so you are - mentioning israel because that is

somewhere, how soon could we get data from that to assess everything you have outlined?— data from that to assess everything you have outlined? israel has rolled out i think over _ you have outlined? israel has rolled out | think over 400,000 _ you have outlined? israel has rolled out i think over 400,000 boosters | you have outlined? israel has rolled l out i think over 400,000 boosters so there is going to be data coming from there before anywhere else. and israel was the first place to actually identify the waning of immunity and identify those who are vaccinated earlier were at higher risk. we need to closely look at the evidence coming out from there before we make decisions around this. i think there are some groups that are clearly at risk, people who are immunosuppressed and clearly vulnerable and don't mount an adequate response but they are a small number and the big question is if we need a mass roll—out or not i think that's not clear at this point in time. �* , ., think that's not clear at this point in time. �*, ., . ., ., ., , in time. it's not clear the data but also takes — in time. it's not clear the data but also takes us _ in time. it's not clear the data but also takes us onto _ in time. it's not clear the data but also takes us onto the _ in time. it's not clear the data but also takes us onto the moral - also takes us onto the moral question because we know there have been very senior at world level scientists and epidemiologists who have made the point that there are countries where people who have not even had their firstjab and we are

talking about a third jab essentially. will that form part of the debate in this country? i don't know, to the debate in this country? i don't know. to be _ the debate in this country? i don't know, to be honest. _ the debate in this country? i don't know, to be honest. from - the debate in this country? i don't know, to be honest. from a - know, to be honest. from a scientific perspective, i can see the point of giving people a third booster that is directed to the delta variant but i think there was a wider issue i don't think it's about donating vaccines. i find the jcvi consistently makes arguments about vaccinating children against vaccine boosters against countries making up ever to increase manufacturing vaccines while providing for an age bite supporting the kovacs initiative, supporting patient and transfer agreements, and for a country that talks a lot about not vaccinating children, to donate vaccines, it's doing very little to deal with a vaccine equity and has actually taken away taxi and some other country that are at critical junctions like in much when india was at a crisis. i would actually

like to see action on this rather than talking about not giving back to one person or another and the other point to make is that if we are going to donate vaccines that can be used as boosters to other countries, the solution cannot be then to put people at risk by allowing mass infection to happen overwinter, even among children for example but if you're not going to vaccinate those groups, you still need to protect them with interventions like ventilation, masking etc. 50 interventions like ventilation, masking ete— interventions like ventilation, maskinuetc. , masking etc. so your point is those sorts of measures _ masking etc. so your point is those sorts of measures need _ masking etc. so your point is those sorts of measures need to - masking etc. so your point is those sorts of measures need to carry - masking etc. so your point is those sorts of measures need to carry on | sorts of measures need to carry on throughout the winter? absolutely. i'm hearina throughout the winter? absolutely. i'm hearing scientists _ throughout the winter? absolutely. i'm hearing scientists saying - throughout the winter? absolutely. i'm hearing scientists saying that i i'm hearing scientists saying that we are not likely to reach herd immunity through vaccines which is something that has been clear i think to most scientists post delta for a long period of time and that will impact the people who are either not vaccinated or not able to mount a response to vaccines the most which is the most clinically vulnerable. they are going to need protection irrespective of anything else because of herd immunity will not be reached which means a

long—term investment in ventilation and environments in schools and workplaces which i think the government should be doing right now. we need to create sustainable that we can live in freely without fear of getting ill.— fear of getting ill. doctor deepti gurdasani, _ fear of getting ill. doctor deepti gurdasani, thank _ fear of getting ill. doctor deepti gurdasani, thank you _ fear of getting ill. doctor deepti gurdasani, thank you for - fear of getting ill. doctor deepti gurdasani, thank you for your i fear of getting ill. doctor deepti i gurdasani, thank you for your time this afternoon. a clinical epidemiologist from queen mary university in london. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. today is shaping up to be a tale of two halves with a weather front pushing into the west and that has brought some rain, some of it heavy, and a slightly cooler feel. brightening up into scotland and northern ireland and ahead of it is where we have the best of the sunshine and the warmth. the weather front continues to sink steadily south and east through the night. a band of rain, a few spots of drizzle as well, but under clear skies we will continue to see temperatures fall away, down into single figures in rural

areas of scotland. starting tomorrow on a quieter note with a good deal of dry, sunny weather. a weak weather front producing drizzle. as we go through the afternoon an area of low pressure will bring showers into scotland and northern ireland and north—west scotland. temperatures in the high teens as a maximum but further south temperatures of 24 degrees. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: thousands of civilians are fleeing major afghan cities, as the taliban continue to gain ground — prompting a humanitarian crisis. a british man working at the uk embassy in berlin is arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality.

at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them soldiers fighting the fires. and a baby from essex with severe spinal muscular atrophy has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. sport, and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. lionel messi says he dreams of winning the champions league once more — after being officially unveiled as a paris st—germain player today. the argentina captain, who's 34, won four champions league titles with barcelona, the last of which came in 2015. messi says he's moved to paris to keep growing and to keep winning trophies.

translation: of course its a new exerience translation: of course its a new exoerience but _ translation: of course its a new experience but i'm _ translation: of course its a new experience but i'm ready _ translation: of course its a new experience but i'm ready for- translation: of course its a new experience but i'm ready for that. l experience but i'm ready for that. at the end of the day it's football and footballers the same all over the world. i have friends here and that will make things easier but i am sure i will get used to the new team—mates. i am very happy and i cannot wait to get going. messi is set to play in psg's frontline alongside the two most expensive players of all time — his former barcelona team—mate neymar and kylian mbappe. defending the club's spending on tranfers and wages, psg president nasser al—khelaifi insists what they're doing is in line with financial fair play rules. we check with our financial people and legal people and if not we are not going to sign him. we are not going to promise something we couldn't so we know that we can sign him.

today as you can see what he can bring to the club is huge. like psg, manchester city are desperate to win the champions league for the first time too. they've spent £100 million bringing jack grealish to the club and city striker phil foden says after they struck up a friendship playing for england this summer he's looking foward to teaming up with grealish in a city shirt. it's really nice to have jack here at man city. when we were at england we got on so well. i know how much of a great player he is and what he is going to bring to the team so i am looking forward to getting back on the pitch and hopefully we can play together. the team that beat city in last season's champions league final — chelsea — take on the europa league winners villareal in the uefa super cup tonight in belfast. thomas tuchel only took over at the start of the year, but in that time lead chelsea to european success as well as a top fourfinish in the premier league. but the chelsea boss says it's important they now build on that success.

it is not over. it has just started and hopefully it is going to be a long journey, so the carriage there is to face the challenge. does anybody have a recipe to do better after the champions league victory? i don't know. i don't have it. personally it was my first champions league win sol personally it was my first champions league win so i think the carriage is to face the challenges and to step up and to keep on demanding that the most important is that we do not lose sight by thinking too much about pressure and about expectations. england will be without bowler stuart broad for the rest of the series against india and james anderson is also a doubt for the second test which starts tomorrow at lord's. a scan has revealed broad sustained a tear to his right calf in a warm—up session yesterday, while anderson missed practice today with a quad muscle problem. saqib mahmood here has been called up as cover. moeen ali's also been brought back into the squad, posing another challenge

to virat kohli's side. we will have to be at our best going up we will have to be at our best going up against moeen. it is always mutual respect and very nice environment when he is playing on the field, whether with or against he has always been a pleasure to share the field with. that's all the sport for now. i will be back in another. president biden says he does not regret withdrawing troops from afghanistan after 20 years, urging afghan leaders to unite and fight for their country. heavy fighting is continuing in parts of the country, and the washington post newspaper has cited unnamed officials as saying the capital kabul could fall to the taliban within 90 days, based on us military assessments.

afghan resident obaidullah baheer is a lecturer at kabul�*s american university. he now has security guards protecting him when he goes out in public. he described the anxiety many people are feeling in the country about the lack of military and humanitarian plans to deal with the crisis. there is not only a military strategy missing, there is also an emergency strategy not in place. everyone is flocking towards kabul whereas afghanistan is divided into almost nine zones, or four if you look at it militarily, and why isn't the government setting camps for people there? we heard the first vice president talking about the humanitarian crisis that might unfold and asked the international community to help out but they can only help out when you have a plan on the ground. and it seems to be missing.

some people are thinking about that, others are thinking about how to get out of here. when the initial taliban pushed started, within the same day we had 21 flights booked out which meant the elite, those who can afford it, are trying to get out and it's going to bleed afghanistan dry of its brains and any future that the country might have. but people don't have any other option. people do not have a leadership to stand by. they don't have a charismatic figure that is leading this fight with any hope. we just have squabbling politicians at a time where it is a national urgency to take a stance. have you thought about getting out? i don't want to make big claims that i cannot stand by in the future but i personally do not want to leave. i think even if they reach kabul there will be a need

for voices like mine. and no matter how much they lack the tolerance to hear opposing voices, but i have lived too far for too long for my country to desert it now so hopefully i will be here and i will try to do as much as i can without picking up arms. i think fighting is the easier way out and there is much more that one can do, including educating the youth of this country, at such a time when they look up to people like me, and they ask me for perspective. something i can try to provide and speak some sense to them so hopefully i will be around to do that. you speak about that very movingly, but are you scared? you and your friends and your colleagues, are you scared? i mean, we are desensitised to a great extent because when you have grown up with these stories

and these realities sometimes i think your assessment of reality is skewed so i might be partially delusional in my hope for the future! and obviously there is hope. you look over your shoulder from time to time. i have my father screaming at me every morning from whatsapp calls telling me to stop giving interviews and stop being so in the open and in the public space because it is a clear threat and there have been targeted assassinations and they take out dissident voices. a lecturer based in kabul. an update

regarding the story out of their lane, a british man who works at the british embassy in berlin arrested on suspicion of spying. we have been talking about that this afternoon. we are just hearing from our security correspondent the man is understood to have been a security guard working as a contractor at the british embassy. he is 57 years old and we are hearing that he is understood to have been a security guard working as a contractor at the embassy, and as we have been reflecting that as a court hearing going on this afternoon so there might be more to emerge about that as well. wildfires are continuing to devastate parts of europe, north africa and america, amid intense heatwaves and drought. emergency teams in greece are tackling hundreds of blazes, and in algeria 65 people have been

killed in a series of fires, 25 of them soldiers battling to put them out. danai howard reports. dozens killed and lands scorched. algeria is the latest mediterranean country to face disastrous wildfires. more than 100 fires are raging in several provinces east of the capital, algiers, claiming the lives are both civilians and soldiers who are deployed to rescue algerians from the flames. translation: there are fires everywhere. we have not seen the government here. we do not have a state. the algerian president, abdelmadjid tebboune, has sent his condolences to the families of those who died. he tweeted that 25 members of the army have died after they succeeded in rescuing more than 100 citizens from the blazing fire. these have become worryingly familiar scenes as wildfires continue to burn across several countries. greece's prime minister apologised

to the nation for the fires that have been tearing through since late july, and said climate change has fuelled the wildfires, increasing the risk of hot, dry weather. his minister in charge of civil protection broke down when asked about the country's failings. translation: iwant to say something. - every house that is lost is a tragedy for all of us and is a strike to our hearts. but what i know is that a massive battle has raged during recent days. we have all remained without sleep throughout all of these days. more high temperatures are expected in the coming weeks, meaning more land and lives could be vulnerable. danai howard, bbc news. more than 40 people travelling in a bus in northern india are feared dead — buried under the debris of a major landslide in the himalayan district of kinnaur. at least four other vehicles were swept away, and many other people are missing. kinnaur, in the state

of himachal pradesh, is a major tourist destination. the headlines on bbc news: thousands of civilians are fleeing major afghan cities, as the taliban continue to gain ground — prompting a humanitarian crisis. a british man working at the uk's embassy in berlin is arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. he of spying for russia. is understood to be a security guard he is understood to be a security guard who is a contractor. and at least 65 people have died in wildfires in algeria, among them soldiers fighting the fires. a group of former gurkha soldiers who are on hunger strike outside downing street say they are getting weaker by the day. they are calling for gurkhas who retired before 1997 to be eligible for a uk

armed forces pension. ministers say they're committed to ensuring the gurkha pension scheme is sustainable and fair. our correspondent lebo diseko reports. british and gurkha troops are battling to split the terrorist into isolated bands, and then wipe them out one by one. they are a force that has served the crown for more than 200 years, fighting all over the world. but these gurkha veterans do not receive a full uk armed forces pension. they are now on hunger strike and say they are willing to die to right what they see as an historic wrong. gurkhas who retired before 1997 were part of the gurkha pension scheme. they receive less than those in the armed forces pension scheme because it was thought they would retire in nepal. the gurkhas are coming! but in 2009, after a high—profile campaign backed by the actress joanna lumley, most gurkhas were allowed to settle in the uk. many now say they are struggling to survive on pensions that don't meet the cost of living here.

my counterpart gets nowadays over 1200 to £1300. i'm getting somewhere £350. this man joined the gurkhas at the age of 17 and served for 20 years. we want to be treated equal to the british in every aspect, according to the tripartite agreement�*s spirit. that is what the british government does not want. these veterans say they have been failed by successive governments, both labour and conservative. i want to work cross party to find a solution. it cannot be right that the government is treating gurkha veterans this way, that they are resorting to going on hunger strike. and i think parliamentarians need to step up and take action. ben wallace needs to look out of his window, walk the ten minutes to where this protest is taking place, and take action. a spokesperson for the ministry of defence said in a statement...

these gurkha veterans say they want the british and nepalese governments to set a date for talks about their plight, and say they want a gurkha representative to be there. if that happens within three months, they are willing to postpone their hunger strike. lebo diseko, bbc news. a baby with a fatal condition has received the world's most expensive drug after a campaign by his parents. 11—month—old edward, from colchester, has severe spinal muscular atrophy — which means he lacks a protein vital for muscle development. he received the new gene therapy zolgensma, which costs nearly £1.8 million, at sheffield children's hospital.

debbie tubby reports. edward just needs this one single infusion to transform his life. it's a new gene therapy called zolgensma, costing £1.79 million, administered at the children's hospital in sheffield. without medical intervention, he wouldn't live to his second birthday. his parents have been scared he wouldn't get this amazing chance of life. yay! we're just so relieved, excited, scared, apprehensive, nervous — absolutely, completely petrified. it's a game changer. it has absolutely changed the face of sma. this is when he was seven weeks old in hospital. he had just been resuscitated by his dad. later diagnosed with severe spinal muscular atrophy. the vectors deliver new working copies of sma genes to the motor neuron cells. this new, one—off drug contains a replica of the missing gene, halting the progression of the disease, helping babies breathe without a ventilator and even crawl and walk.

he shouldn't really feel anything. he's got a cannula in, which is a little bit of plastic into his vein. and the drug just goes through that over an hour. injune, five—month—old arthur became the first baby to receive this revolutionary treatment on the nhs. now edward is one of a handful of babies being treated for the first time at the children's hospital in sheffield. sma itself is actually the most common genetic condition that causes infant deaths and severe disability — worldwide. about 90% of children with sma type one would die by age two. so, this treatment would drastically change the disease progression and outcome of each patient. you don't know what's around the corner. there's only five years' worth of data. so, from what i've seen from other children, theyjust get stronger. so, the world really is his oyster. thank you, guys.

edward has no idea he has just received the most expensive drug in the world, or how his life will now be transformed. but his parents feel he finally has a future. debbie tubby, bbc look east. winchester is the least affordable city in the country to buy a home in — that's according to the halifax. it's released new figures which suggest properties in the hampshire commuter city cost 14 times average earnings, significantly higher than the uk average — typically, people have to pay eight times average earnings to buy a home. women can now wear trousers at the annual henley royal regatta for the first time in its 182—year history. previously women who wanted to access the stewards enclosure had to wear a dress or a skirt.

sarah campbell is in henley on thames. the racing has been in full flow from nine o'clock this morning and is about to get under way again so the noise will build on people here are enjoying bases every five minutes and enjoying the social side of it as well and this is the first time in the 182 year history but the dress code has allowed the ladies, the women, who attend, to wear trousers. it is quite a big change. i'm going to introduce you to sir steve redgrave, the chairman and famous olympic rower. why the change? famous olympic rower. why the chan . e? , . . famous olympic rower. why the chance? , . . , famous olympic rower. why the chance? , . ., , . ., famous olympic rower. why the chance? ,, . ., , . ., ., change? since i have been chair of the regatta — change? since i have been chair of the regatta and — change? since i have been chair of the regatta and i _ change? since i have been chair of the regatta and i think— change? since i have been chair of the regatta and i think i _ change? since i have been chair of the regatta and i think i am - change? since i have been chair of| the regatta and i think i am coming up the regatta and i think i am coming up to— the regatta and i think i am coming up to my— the regatta and i think i am coming up to my seventh or eighth year we have introduced six new events and they have _ have introduced six new events and they have all been women's events. what _ they have all been women's events. what is _ they have all been women's events. what is seen as a change within the sport—

what is seen as a change within the sport over— what is seen as a change within the sport over my era of being involved in it for— sport over my era of being involved in it for the — sport over my era of being involved in it for the last four to five years— in it for the last four to five years as _ in it for the last four to five years as more and more women rolling all the _ years as more and more women rolling all the time _ years as more and more women rolling all the time and everyone talks about— all the time and everyone talks about the — all the time and everyone talks about the 182 years of history but the dress — about the 182 years of history but the dress code only came in in the late 70s— the dress code only came in in the late 70s or— the dress code only came in in the late 70s or early 80s to what we have _ late 70s or early 80s to what we have now — late 70s or early 80s to what we have now and we felt with the introduction of all the new events for females but they would like to wear _ for females but they would like to wear trousers they should be allowed to wear— wear trousers they should be allowed to wear trousers. | wear trousers they should be allowed to wear trousers.— to wear trousers. i spoke to a coule to wear trousers. i spoke to a couple of — to wear trousers. i spoke to a couple of 16-year-olds - to wear trousers. i spoke to a couple of 16-year-olds who i to wear trousers. i spoke to a i couple of 16-year-olds who were couple of 16—year—olds who were saying there were some people they know who may wouldn't come to an event like this if they were girls and they were not allowed to wear trousers. it is more important to some people than perhaps we might think. ., , , . think. yeah, it is very mixed. when i first started _ think. yeah, it is very mixed. when i first started rowing _ think. yeah, it is very mixed. when i first started rowing the _ think. yeah, it is very mixed. when i first started rowing the henley - i first started rowing the henley royal— i first started rowing the henley royal regatta was just a male event. the people who run it were stewards who all— the people who run it were stewards who all males and over the last 20 or 30 _ who all males and over the last 20 or 30 years — who all males and over the last 20 or 30 years that has changed, so we are just _ or 30 years that has changed, so we are just moving with what the sport is and _

are just moving with what the sport is and doesn't to be. the are just moving with what the sport is and doesn't to be.— is and doesn't to be. the change here for spectators, _ is and doesn't to be. the change here for spectators, i _ is and doesn't to be. the change here for spectators, i will - is and doesn't to be. the change | here for spectators, i will change on the water, and increasing the number of only events. just on the water, and increasing the number of only events.- number of only events. just the sort in number of only events. just the sport in general— number of only events. just the sport in general was _ number of only events. just the sport in general was dominated l number of only events. just the i sport in general was dominated by the men _ sport in general was dominated by the men originally. my first olympics was 1984 but women were introduced in the olympic rowing in 1976 and _ introduced in the olympic rowing in 1976 and that is where the change started _ 1976 and that is where the change started to — 1976 and that is where the change started to come of being introduced and there _ started to come of being introduced and there was a very strong cohort of really— and there was a very strong cohort of really wanting to be involved in the sport— of really wanting to be involved in the sport and expanding it and then in all— the sport and expanding it and then in all the _ the sport and expanding it and then in all the years i have been racing internationally and domestically it has always been on an equal footing. i am married — has always been on an equal footing. i am married to an olympic rower and have two— i am married to an olympic rower and have two girls in my family. it is interesting _ have two girls in my family. it is interesting that a lot of women still want — interesting that a lot of women still want to wear dresses. we thank henry— still want to wear dresses. we thank henry is— still want to wear dresses. we thank henry is a _ still want to wear dresses. we thank henry is a celebration and booted it along _ henry is a celebration and booted it along the _ henry is a celebration and booted it along the lines of if you are going

to a celebration like a wedding or a christening, most people, female wise, _ christening, most people, female wise, want — christening, most people, female wise, want to wear dresses, but they can now— wise, want to wear dresses, but they can now wear— wise, want to wear dresses, but they can now wear trousers as well, so we have is— can now wear trousers as well, so we have is our— can now wear trousers as well, so we have is our dress code for that same reason _ have is our dress code for that same reason. ., ., ., , . ., . reason. the regatta was cancelled last ear. reason. the regatta was cancelled last year- the _ reason. the regatta was cancelled last year. the only _ reason. the regatta was cancelled last year. the only other - reason. the regatta was cancelled last year. the only other times . reason. the regatta was cancelled last year. the only other times it | last year. the only other times it has been cancelled out the two world wars so how please argue to see it back up and running? last wars so how please argue to see it back up and running?— wars so how please argue to see it back up and running? last year was devastating- _ back up and running? last year was devastating. with _ back up and running? last year was devastating. with covid _ back up and running? last year was devastating. with covid around - back up and running? last year was devastating. with covid around the| devastating. with covid around the world _ devastating. with covid around the world we _ devastating. with covid around the world we have seen the impact over the last— world we have seen the impact over the last 18 _ world we have seen the impact over the last 18 months and we are still living _ the last 18 months and we are still living with — the last 18 months and we are still living with a tan learning to live with _ living with a tan learning to live with the — living with a tan learning to live with the pandemic. devastating last year not _ with the pandemic. devastating last year not to— with the pandemic. devastating last year not to have the regatta but very pleased and everyone is coming up very pleased and everyone is coming up to— very pleased and everyone is coming up to me _ very pleased and everyone is coming up to me and saying thanks for putting — up to me and saying thanks for putting on— up to me and saying thanks for putting on the event. we had to put it on six— putting on the event. we had to put it on six weeks later because in our normal— it on six weeks later because in our normal sort — it on six weeks later because in our normal sort it would not have happened so the 60 stewards that

oversee _ happened so the 60 stewards that oversee the regatta gave me the chair _ oversee the regatta gave me the chair and — oversee the regatta gave me the chair and the committee whatever you can do— chair and the committee whatever you can do put— chair and the committee whatever you can do put on the rowing this year, even _ can do put on the rowing this year, even if_ can do put on the rowing this year, even if there — can do put on the rowing this year, even if there are no spectators, and we have _ even if there are no spectators, and we have been able to put on both. sir steve _ we have been able to put on both. sir steve redgrave, thank you very much indeed. sir steve redgrave, thank you very much indeed-— much indeed. that was sarah campbell- — much indeed. that was sarah campbell. they _ much indeed. that was sarah campbell. they got _ much indeed. that was sarah campbell. they got there - much indeed. that was sarah - campbell. they got there eventually, didn't they? i hope she was wearing trousers! good afternoon. wednesday, it's all been about a west—east divide across the country, with the best of the sunshine certainly the further east you are. a beautiful morning for a round of golf in lowestoft, as you can see by this weather watcher picture. further west, there has been some cloud and some rain around. just as stunning but some of the rain has been quite heavy at times across parts of north—west scotland. you can see from the radar where i'm talking about. turning quite showery as it moves its way through north—west england and wales, the best of any brighter weather continuing further east.

with the sunshine we will see some warmth. underneath the cloud and the rain a little bit cooler with more of a breeze. western scotland and northern ireland closing the day out with some sunshine and clear skies through this evening will allow temperatures to fall into single figures but as the weather front sinks south and east a band of cloud will prevent the temperatures falling much lower than the mid teens in the london area. a little bit of cloud and drizzle first thing in the morning to encounter on thursday. the low pressure winding its way into the far north—west and that will bring a change as we go through thursday afternoon. some cloud around through central and southern england for a time but staying largely dry. clouding over from the north—west as we go through the day with showery outbreaks of rain into northern ireland, western scotland and north west england. the mid 20s not out of the question

across the south—east. friday the low pressure will sit into the far north continuing to spill in some showers particularly on exposed west coasts. elsewhere largely fine and dry with top temperatures of 22 celsius. moving into the weekend it looks likely the area of low pressure could influence the story for a time and there will be some showers but hopefully high pressure will start to build from the west and quieten things down. certainly not a bad weekend for most of us. what we like to call usable weather to get out and enjoy in the garden. a good deal of dry weather around. just look out for the rain through the first half of the weekend.

hello, this is bbc news at 5pm. i'm victoria derbyshire. here are your headlines: thousands of civilians are fleeing major afghan cities, as the taliban continue their rapid advance — prompting a humanitarian crisis. our reporter has gained exclusive access to areas under the group's control. a 57—year—old british man understood to be working as a security guard at the uk's embassy in berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for russia. calls for the reform of a—levels after a record number of entries were awarded the top grades. labour says it's worried about inequality.

well done, by the way, to all of those that got