this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. more than a slap pass at thousand civilians have been killed as taliban forces advanced across the country. taliban forces advanced across the count . a , taliban forces advanced across the count . , a, taliban forces advanced across the count . a, a, country. many of those who have medicare have _ country. many of those who have medicare have run _ country. many of those who have medicare have run once, - country. many of those who have medicare have run once, twice, l medicare have run once, twice, multiple times and now they have come here to afghanistan's capital kabul. from here they say there is their greek counterparts to tackle devastating wildfires. has a for some workers who to work has a for some workers who the to work ” " ' has a for some workers who the other'ork ” " ' has a for some

worke suit? the other'ork t t t the youth of today? a new survey suggests probably not. have pulled out. lost their lives. nearly 2,300 us troops have been killed. and over 120 thousand afghan military, police and civilians have died in the conflict. as the taliban continue to capture territory — more on that in a moment —

the questions being asked — what did we achieve — and what now for ordinary afghans? our correspondent yogita limaye reports from the afghan capital, kabul. desperation on a scale not seen in decades. thousands have arrived in kabul in the past few days. people who had homes and jobs, who led dignified lives... ..forced to leave everything behind. angry that they have been left on their own — no government, no humanitarian agencies. this woman's sons are in the army. she says only the poor go to the battlefield, while politicians watch.

we have seen this camp grow by the hour. people have been coming in from different parts of the country, as more and more provincial capitals, more and more cities are being taken over by the taliban. many of those we have met here have run once, twice, multiple times, and now they have come here to afghanistan's capital, kabul. from here, they say, there's nowhere else to go. to get here, they've survived dangerous journeys, past taliban checkpoints and active front lines. this woman says they moved from one place to another for three days she has four children — the youngest is two.

many have seen their loved ones being killed. which fell to the taliban on sunday. today in kabul, we bumped into these men, who we'd met four weeks ago in kunduz.

then, the city was a refuge for tens of thousands of people who had fled now, we've learned that in recent days, mortar shells landed in these camps. we don't know what happened to the people we'd met there. those who have escaped to kabul are staring at uncertainty. fears that the capital, too, could fall within weeks. some us officials are now warning that kabul could fall that line and joins us now for more.

tell us more about what you know. backin tell us more about what you know. back in june, tell us more about what you know. back injune, there was a us intelligence assessment that said under the worst—case scenario couple could fall to the taliban within six to 12 months of the military leaving dyspnea assessment is much more and dyspnea assessment is much more dire situation and much less time to prepare... dire situation and much less time to re are. .. �* dire situation and much less time to --reare...�* , , dire situation and much less time to --reare... ~ , , ., ., prepare... and yes, we have heard from the president _ prepare... and yes, we have heard from the president that _ prepare... and yes, we have heard from the president that is - prepare... and yes, we have heard from the president that is resolute| from the president that is resolute and he does appear to have boxed himself into a certain extent. what sort of response and criticism if getting from his own side? is getting from his own side? is getting a mixture from both sides. it's a very contentious issue within

the united states and elsewhere. there are democrats who feel we should be doing more and there are democrats and republicans who feel like he does and we've done everything we possibly could and enough is enough. i everything we possibly could and enough is enough.— everything we possibly could and enough is enough. i was talking to an anal st enough is enough. i was talking to an analyst at _ enough is enough. i was talking to an analyst at that _ enough is enough. i was talking to an analyst at that earlier - enough is enough. i was talking to an analyst at that earlier and - enough is enough. i was talking to | an analyst at that earlier and asked if civil war was inevitable or if in fact he felt that civil war was already under way and he thought it's going on now. what is your assessment? 1 it's going on now. what is your assessment?— it's going on now. what is your assessment? . . ., , , assessment? i have certainly seen those conversations _ assessment? i have certainly seen those conversations as _ assessment? i have certainly seen those conversations as well. - assessment? i have certainly seen those conversations as well. the l those conversations as well. the reason a—star commander who just left afg ha nista n, reason a—star commander who just left afghanistan, that was one of his last words on the way out of trouble was him expressing the concern that civil war was a real possibility. it seems like we could be in the middle and it's really hard to say. be in the middle and it's really hard to say-— hard to say. back to the point ou're hard to say. back to the point you're making _ hard to say. back to the point you're making about - hard to say. back to the point you're making about the - hard to say. back to the point you're making about the next| you're making about the next political response to president biden plus plus decision to pull

out. what is interesting is this is not necessarily a straightforward democrat versus republican issue. that is very much true. if you play this back ten, 15 years, there were many more democrats that were looking to get out of the wires and republicans generally were looking to stay and extend them based on the goodness in whatever security we can provide an overtime and especially following president trump's presidency, it got a lot more messy and it's a mixture in each party. thank you very much. for nine days thousands of firefighters have been tackling wildfires across greece — as the blazes scorched hundreds of thousands of hectares, causing widespread destruction. the fires have been fanned by the country's most severe heatwave in decades.

on greece's peloponnese peninsula fires overnight forced many villages to evacuate as crews from britain, france, israel and the ukraine, joined the efforts to try to tackle the flames. our europe correspondent bethany bell sent this report from peloponnese. chainsaw whirs. cutting away anything that can burn. these british firefighters have come to greece to help stop the catastrophic wildfires. as you can see behind us, just trying to open this road and help with the fallen tree, just to get access to the community and the houses up here. olive groves have gone up in flames. what matters now is to stop new blazes from spreading, so the team is making fire breaks between the burnt areas and the trees which survived. the fire swept through here last night and some of the trees are still smouldering. the team is trying to draw a line in the sand between the green

and the black, to prevent any more flare ups. it's hard work and it's punishingly hot. we lend the team our drone to give them an idea of the lay of the land. the extent of the destruction is huge. 27 years in the fire service, i've never seen a scale like this. i've seen flooding on this scale in europe but not... not wild land fires. so it's immense, the land is burned right across. another fire sparks in the undergrowth. the team's greek liaison officer rushes to put it out. a firefighting helicopter carrying water flies past the house where yorgos and stella live. their family has lost 700 olive trees. translation: others have lost more than us. my main worry is about the environment. the trees that have been burned

are more than 50 years old. the situation is volatile. when we drove down this road this morning, there was no smoke. now there's fire. with the wind rising, there are fears this will be a long and difficult night. bethany bell, bbc news, in the peloponnese. to california where the second largest single wildfire in the states history continues to burn through forestland. more than one thousand buildings including 500 homes have been destroyed so far. the dixie fire, named after the road where it's believed to have been ignited, currently covers over half a million acres of forest area. with fire fighters saying around 30 percent of the fire is contained, but with temperatures set to rise across the state, and humidity continuing to fall, it's likely that the fire will be raging for long time. california's raging wildfires are among some 100 large blazes burning across 15 states, mostly in the west, where historic

drought conditions have left lands parched and ripe for ignition. and take a look at these photos from nasa which show the how strong and dangerous these fires are — what you're seeing there isn't cloud, it's actually smoke from the dixie fire and others making its way across america. let's talk to our correspondent barbara plett usher who's in california for us. you and i have spoken several times in the last few days. our conditions showing any signs of getting better or not? i showing any signs of getting better or not? ., showing any signs of getting better or not? . ,., , showing any signs of getting better or not? . , ~ ., showing any signs of getting better ornot? . , ~ ., , showing any signs of getting better ornot? ., , . ., , or not? i am sorry. we had 'ust lost barbara. we — or not? i am sorry. we had 'ust lost barbara. we willi or not? i am sorry. we had 'ust lost barbara. we will attempt _ or not? i am sorry. we hadjust lost barbara. we will attempt to - or not? i am sorry. we hadjust lost barbara. we will attempt to go - or not? i am sorry. we hadjust lostj barbara. we will attempt to go back to her later in the programme. let's take a look at some of the other means. —— other news.

at least 10 people have died and dozens more are trapped under debris after a landslide in northern india. falling boulders swept a truck, a bus and other vehicles from a stretch of highway in himachal pradesh state. officials say rescue operations are being hampered by rocks that continue to fall. the italian island of sicily may have registered the highest temperature ever recorded in europe. regional authorities report that the reading which needs to be verified by the world meteorological organisation. the current official record in europe is 48 celsius registered in athens greece in 1977. the latest heatwave has been caused by an anticyclone nicknamed lucifer moving up from africa. a high court allowed... ajudge previously ruled that the wikileaks founder could not be sent to america where he faces

espionage charges because you make to himself. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the bbc uncovers evidence of suspected war crimes carried out in libya by russian mercenaries — we have an exclusive report on their activities. professor says it's still unclear whether all over 50 should be offered a third vaccine this autumn. there is to reason why scientists and politicians might want to go ahead with this. one is to top up immunity. there are some early signs and research that over time the immunity you gain from keeney ——

taking a taxi might fade although at the moment research is ongoing and the moment research is ongoing and the second reason is the potential emergence of new variants of the virus this autumn and again a third booster dose might offer us some extra protection against that. yesterday the health secretary for england was asked about this and he suggested that plan would probably be all over 50 would be offered a booster shot at the same time as the flu shot this autumn. libya has been in chaos since 2011, when colonel gaddafi was toppled. since then, two rival governments have split the country into west and east. foreign involvement has had a big impact, with the two sides backed by key international powers, including russia and turkey. bbc arabic and bbc russia have spent months researching the role of mercenaries from russia's vagner group, and have been able — exclusively — to identify russian fighters supporting one side of the war. bbc arabic�*s nader ibrahim reports.

caught in a civil war for over a decade, libya was already a deadly conflict. but recently, it's become even more complex. we had heard reports of russian mercenaries fighting against the un—backed government. and now we've got unique evidence of their involvement. the bbc has obtained a tablet that a fighter left behind. it belonged to wagner, a shadowy russian mercenary group. so, i've gone through the tablet. it's amazing the amount of information i've managed to find on it. in front of me here, i've got raw data of what wagner have been doing in libya. clearly, this tablet was not meant to end up in our hands. from what we have seen, we can confirm that wagner has been operating in libya for over two years. we set out to investigate further.

this is ain zara, ten kilometres away from the centre of the libyan capital, tripoli. haithim fought these heavily armed russian fighters for nine weeks. translation: they are mercenaries. they only care about making money. this is what they do. it's theirjob. they kill people. they commit crimes for money. they are a criminal organisation. in international law, mercenaries are already unlawful combatants. but we have found evidence suggesting that wagner may have committed war crimes. i met one man who says he witnessed his family being killed by the mercenaries in september 2019. they were all civilians. our eyewitness didn't want to be identified, but he told us that he caught a glimpse of one of the killers. translation: around 6am, they lined us in this room and i was the last one on the side.

one of them took his weapon. when he started shooting, i fell on my side and pretended to be dead. we can name him as vladimir andonov. he operates in the wagner group under his code name wercher donboss. here is a picture from his social media account. it simply says, "plan number one, find and kill everyone". andonov�*s service record with wagner highlights the group's involvement in some of the world's biggest conflicts, in syria and ukraine, where he's accused of killing prisoners of war in 2014. wagner mercenaries almost never talk to the media, but two former members agreed to talk to us anonymously.

translation: there are no clear rules. there are no documents regulating relations with the local population. translation: if a workforce is needed to dig trenches, for example, or to do some kind of labour, then the prisoner has a value as a slave. if that's not required, then the result is obvious. no—one wants an extra mouth to feed. the links between wagner and the kremlin reach to the very top. the man who is reported to run the group has been seen with president vladimir putin. there's currently a un ceasefire in libya. one of the conditions was that all mercenaries should leave the country, but our evidence shows that wagner is still in libya, in violation of the un deal. nader ibrahim, bbc news, libya. let's go back to barbara. what is

the situation now? is there any sign of the fire is being brought under control or not? this of the fire is being brought under control or not?— of the fire is being brought under control or not? this massive fire, the dixie fire, _ control or not? this massive fire, the dixie fire, there _ control or not? this massive fire, the dixie fire, there has - control or not? this massive fire, the dixie fire, there has been - control or not? this massive fire, l the dixie fire, there has been some progress. it is still spreading very quickly. it is now 30% contained and yesterday we were being told it was only 21% contained. it is there a real challenge because the temperatures are rising again and the wind gusts are increasing and thatis the wind gusts are increasing and that is what spreading it and it's taking place in a remote mountain area so it is hard for firefighters to get to it. that's another challenge and the underbrush is very dry because of a severe drought which is also causing it to spread extremely rapidly. me which is also causing it to spread extremely rapidly.— which is also causing it to spread extremely rapidly. we saw images earlier, extremely rapidly. we saw images| earlier, _ showed earlier, nasa images which showed the smoke from the fire is drifting across the entire country. that the smoke from the fire is drifting across the entire country.- across the entire country. that is riuht. he across the entire country. that is right- he had _ across the entire country. that is right- he had -- _ across the entire country. that is right. he had -- it _ across the entire country. that is right. he had -- it had _

across the entire country. that is right. he had -- it had been - right. he had —— it had been drifting into neighbouring states. most substantially which affected the also setting the air quality and also setting events outdoor events, sporting events outdoor events, sporting events have been cancelled because of that. we know that the pollution from the air and the smoke has reached even as far as the east coast and to new york. it is something that is affecting notjust the people directly involved but it's become a national issue in terms of air quality. find it's become a national issue in terms of air quality.— it's become a national issue in terms of air quality. and for those --eole terms of air quality. and for those peeple directly — terms of air quality. and for those people directly involved, - terms of air quality. and for those people directly involved, 500 - terms of air quality. and for those i people directly involved, 500 homes have been destroyed?— have been destroyed? that's right, more than a _ have been destroyed? that's right, more than a thousand _ have been destroyed? that's right, more than a thousand buildings - have been destroyed? that's right, i more than a thousand buildings have been destroyed, about half of them homes. at least 14,000 threatened by possibly being consumed by the flames.

is very much something that's affecting people's lives in that area. affecting people's lives in that area, fl ., , affecting people's lives in that area. ., , area. barbara plett usher reporting from los angeles. _ area. barbara plett usher reporting from los angeles. ever— area. barbara plett usher reporting from los angeles. ever since - area. barbara plett usher reporting from los angeles. ever since there | from los angeles. ever since there have been smartphones, there have been emojis. a p pa re ntly apparently not, because if you're under 30, this smiley face a moji is nothing to smiley face. —— nothing to smile about. also out is the crying face a moji, with a whole legion of tiktok used it seriously. how do we... he joins us legion of tiktok used it seriously.

how do we... hejoins us now. hello to you, jeremy. what am i feel this is. ,just to you, jeremy. what am i feel this is. , just talk us through why the smiley emoji has change meaning for a certain group of people. i smiley emoji has change meaning for a certain group of people.— a certain group of people. i would start by saying — a certain group of people. i would start by saying there _ a certain group of people. i would start by saying there is _ a certain group of people. i would start by saying there is no - a certain group of people. i would start by saying there is no right i a certain group of people. i wouldj start by saying there is no right or wrong way to use and emoji. one challenge is people like to subscribe meaning and say this emoji has a specific meaning and that should apply to everyone. that's just not how it works. i don't know if it's specific to generations. there's a temptation generalise and say one generation uses one different to the other. what we tend to see more as we get extremely online people. they might have a different meaning to something than someone who uses something more casually. there are differences there, it'sjust how casually. there are differences there, it's just how you break that down her group. may or may not be

generational. talk down her group. may or may not be generational-— generational. talk us through some ofthe generational. talk us through some of the differences _ generational. talk us through some of the differences and _ generational. talk us through some of the differences and uses - generational. talk us through some of the differences and uses of- of the differences and uses of emojis. of the differences and uses of emo'is. ., ., , , emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. emojis. you mentioned the smiley face- there _ emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. there are _ emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. there are a _ emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. there are a lot _ emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. there are a lot of _ emojis. you mentioned the smiley face. there are a lot of smiley 's. l face. there are a lot of smiley 's. it is true that some people do you sarcastically, it's called the slightly smiling face. it's one of the more subtle ones. that does sometimes get used to mean smiling through the pain, and sometimes that's used and you get other ones with different meanings, for instance, the school is use for laughter. it sort of, "i'm laughing so much i died." people get bored of one emoji and might tease people who use one too much and find a new one. how did these things happen? who decides? how does the trend start? like anything, right? it is generally people who are online a lot, which sometimes might be

younger generations on tiktok, on twitter. it's easier to monitor these public trends. we don't know what's happening behind the scenes. we have our own private meaning, that's not a good way to figure that out. we tend to look at platforms like tiktok. are they finding a new way to describe an emotion, such as awkwardness, people have using the person standing still, and that might be used to describe an awkward scene. just might be used to describe an awkward scene. , , , ., ,, might be used to describe an awkward scene.�* , , ., ,, ., scene. just before you go. chief emo'i scene. just before you go. chief emoii officer. — scene. just before you go. chief emoji officer, that _ scene. just before you go. chief emoji officer, that must - scene. just before you go. chief emoji officer, that must be - scene. just before you go. chief emoji officer, that must be a i scene. just before you go. chief - emoji officer, that must be a unique job title. emoji officer, that must be a unique 'ob title. ., , ., ., emoji officer, that must be a unique 'obtitle. ., ., ., , , job title. people do want answers, and there is _ job title. people do want answers, and there is no _ job title. people do want answers, and there is no one _ job title. people do want answers, and there is no one answer - job title. people do want answers, and there is no one answer to - job title. people do want answers, and there is no one answer to how job title. people do want answers, | and there is no one answer to howl and there is no one answer to how i know moji is use, but we like to look at the data. it sort of like a dictionary for the emojis, so there has to be someone who decides. is this a valid description? it's

enjoyable, but it seems like... but it is serious. we need to make sure people are... it is serious. we need to make sure peeple are- - -_ people are... good to talk to you, jerem . hello there. the weather story for many over recent days has been a bit wishy—washy, and that's the theme as we head into the weekend. that said, there has been some lovely sunshine and some warmth today. take a look at brixham, devon earlier on. but the vast majority saw quite a lot of cloud into the afternoon and some rain, some of it quite heavy pushing its way through scotland and north west england. brightening up, though, into the afternoon for northern ireland. so, you can see across taynuilt in argyll and bute, there's quite a lot of cloud around and at times some heavy, showery rain. that weather front continues to trundle its way south and east, but it will weaken off. so, really as we go through the night, a band of cloud, the odd spot or two of rain, and with some clearer skies further north and west, temperatures may well dip into single figures here.

it'll be a mild start in the south, but this weather front is going to be a little bit of a nuisance. it's going to meander its way further north as we go through the day. it's this low pressure that's the key story as we go through the course of thursday. it's going to bring some blustery winds on exposed coasts, gusts of 40 mph, and some sharp showers moving their way through northern ireland, western scotland and eventually into north west england. our weather front sits across, let's say, dorset up towards yorkshire. anywhere south and east of that will see the best of the sunshine and potentially the best of the warmth with 24 degrees, 75 fahrenheit. friday, we've still got that low up into the north. it'll build fewer showers as we go through the day, particularly to the north—west of the great glen. so, a better chance of seeing some drier weather through much of eastern scotland and northern ireland. highs further south of 22. that's 72 fahrenheit. that wishy—washy theme is going to continue into the weekend. still got that low slowly drifting off into scandinavia. another weather front potentially will bring some outbreaks of rain,

but the position of this rain is going to be subject to question. so, you'll need to keep abreast of the forecast for saturday. it may welljust be that little bit further north or south. at the moment, current thinking are is it goes through the north of wales into northern england. south of that, it stays dry and sunny. north of that, a few scattered showers and a little bit cooler. as we go into sunday and monday, the weather story may well quieten down, but the wind direction changes to more of a north—westerly. so, it willjust feel a little bit fresher despite the sunshine. take care.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the afghan army chief is sacked as taliban fighters take control of more territory. our correspondent reports from inside newly captured areas, from inside newly captured areas. democrats have passed the first hurdle that could eventually see them pass a $3.5 trillion budget. cash for secrets — a british embassy worker in berlin is arrested, suspected of spying for russia. fancy a deep red? we'll talk to the man who thinks wine better if it's matured under the sea.

as the taliban capture a ninth provincial capital, afghan president ghani has fired his army chief. the news broke as mr ghani arrived in the city of mazar i shariff, a fiercely anti—taliban stronghold in the north which is under pressure from the taliban offensive. the government still remains in control in the most important urban centres, but that control looks more and more fragile. while the president attempted to rally his loyal troops in mazar—i—sharif, militants have been circling. our afghanistan correspondent, secunder kermani, has been given rare access to those areas around the the city now captured by the taliban. his report was filmed by cameraman fred scott. a warning — you may some of the images upsetting. 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 afghans, thousands of ordinary muslims? you're 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 balkh, a town with ancient roots — thought to be the birthplace of one of islam's best—known mystic poets, rumi.

now it's under taliban control. we came through here a little earlier this year, back then it was still under government control. now it's 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 have been told, he insists they haven't made the burqa compulsory. but 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, 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's a greater sense of personal freedom here that it's 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's tax. all the money you are collecting, though, that's being used to fund the war, right? music plays. at the local radio station, the taliban have asserted their authority too — banning non—islamic music being played in public.

i heard that members of the taliban here caught one man listening to music and, to punish him, made him walk without any shoes on until he fainted — even if you didn't order that, that's 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 taliban's 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 here 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's 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've vowed to install what they term an islamic government. if that doesn't come through the stalled peace process, they say, it will come through more violence.

secunder kermani, bbc news. a british man has been arrested in germany on suspicion of spying for russia. the man, named only as david s, worked at the british embassy in berlin and is accused of passing documents to russian intelligence in exchange for cash. our security correspondent, gordon corera, has this report. a berlin spy case involving british secrets and russian spies. german prosecutors allege that a man who worked here at the british embassy in berlin passed on official documents in exchange for money. he's alleged to have been working for the russian intelligence service. their embassy is located not far away in berlin. the man, who worked as a security guard, was arrested yesterday in potsdam, south—west of berlin, and his apartment and office were searched today. translation: we take extremely seriously the indications _ that the detainee's secret service activity was done on behalf of a russian intelligence service,

because spying on a close ally on german soil is absolutely unacceptable, and we stand in full solidarity with our british friends. so, what do we know about the suspect? he's been named simply as david s, his second name withheld under german privacy laws. he's a 57—year—old briton. he was employed locally by the embassy as a contractor, so not as a diplomat. and it's alleged he was working with the russians since at least november of last year. the arrest came after what i understand was an intelligence—led operation run jointly by german and british authorities, including the security service m15 here and metropolitan police. once they felt they had enough evidence, a germanjudge issued an arrest warrant. cold war berlin was the espionage capital of the world. the glienicke bridge in the city was known as the bridge of spies because of the exchanges that took place here. spying has changed since then — secrets are often stolen

remotely over cyberspace — but that does not mean that old—fashioned human spying has gone away. appeared in a closed court hearing, with more details expected to emerge of the allegations against him in the coming days. gordon corera, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. senate democrats are pushing forward with a 3.5 trillion budget education and tax laws. written primarily by former presidential contender bernie sanders, the plan sets out to expand medicare, combat climate change and boost federal safety net programs. but with the senate on a knife edge, the bill is not guaranteed to pass. one democrat senator, joe manchin, has already expressed concern about that 3.5 trillion price tag. let's bring in congressional reporter for axios, alayna treene.

hello there. so, the one point to trillion dollar infrastructure bill has just passed two —— 1.2 trillion. but this much larger price tag for the budget is appearing much more on a knife edge. the budget is appearing much more on a knife edge-— a knife edge. yes, well, it is quite confusing. — a knife edge. yes, well, it is quite confusing. but _ a knife edge. yes, well, it is quite confusing, but the _ a knife edge. yes, well, it is quite confusing, but the 1.2 _ a knife edge. yes, well, it is quite confusing, but the 1.2 trillion - confusing, but the 1.2 trillion bill, physical infrastructure, money for roads and bridges, that passed the senate but it still needs to pass the house. there is still going to be a lot of time, at least several weeks, until the bill could potentially become law. the 3.5 trillion budget is reallyjust a framework and an overarching amount of money that was approved by the senate. it still needs to be approved by the house. that's

expected to happen in a few weeks. but once it does get approved by the house, the committees can begin draughting the bill. that's going to take some time as well. so, looking at this infrastructure fight, as much as it was a win for them to pass, they still face an uphill battle in the house. it'll be several weeks until bc significant movement on making it into law —— until we see. in movement on making it into law -- until we see-— until we see. in terms of the buduet, until we see. in terms of the budget. is — until we see. in terms of the budget. is it _ until we see. in terms of the budget, is it the _ until we see. in terms of the budget, is it the price - until we see. in terms of the budget, is it the price tag i until we see. in terms of the budget, is it the price tag or| until we see. in terms of the - budget, is it the price tag or is it the policy programme that's being proposed that is contentious or both? �* , , ., ., proposed that is contentious or both? �*, ., , both? it's both, for sure. the thing that's really — both? it's both, for sure. the thing that's really interesting _ both? it's both, for sure. the thing that's really interesting here - both? it's both, for sure. the thing that's really interesting here is - that's really interesting here is that's really interesting here is that democrats recognise they have to vote on this bill. they're not really trying to cater to republicans with the 3.5 trillion

package. the reason is it was always meant to include the most ambitious and most progressive aspects ofjoe biden's claim. bold climate change per division, child care, taxes on certain things to pay for the package— all things republicans are very much against. the question and the political battle here is really going to be within the democratic party between the more progressive wing that wants as progressive and ambitious of a package as they can get, and the moderate democrats, who like some republicans are really worried about that 3.5 trillion price tag. worried about that 3.5 trillion rice tau. �* ., worried about that 3.5 trillion ricetau. �* . ., ~ worried about that 3.5 trillion ricetau. �* . ., price tag. alayna treene, thank you so much for — price tag. alayna treene, thank you so much for talking _ price tag. alayna treene, thank you so much for talking to _ price tag. alayna treene, thank you so much for talking to us. thank- so much for talking to us. thank ou. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: why have blue nun, when you can have wine from the blue ocean? we'll tell you all next.

here in the uk, four men have been convicted of the murder of a 24—year—old nhs worker david gomoh, in what prosecutors described as a "frenzied attack". the court heard mr gomoh was randomly attacked by a gang as he walked to the shops in april last year. our correspondent lebo diseko reports from the old bailey. a random murder of a young man with ambitions to make something of his life. police say nhs worker david gomoh was killed by four men connected with a gang from north newham simply because he lived in what they saw as enemy territory. 19—year—olds mohammad jalloh and david ture, 23—year—old vagnei colubali and a 17—year—old who can't be named for legal reasons were convicted after a six—week trial. david gomoh was a smart, hard—working and dedicated young man. he had graduated from university and worked at the nhs. david had no gang links and was loved by many. he was murdered at random during a frenzied attack

during the first pandemic lockdown. he was 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. david was stabbed at least nine times, then managed to stagger to his home but later died in hospital. the court was shown cctv of the men attempting to attack another man less than an hour before. the defendants were convicted of conspiracy to cause gbh with intent for that offence. among the evidence that convicted the killers were drawings by ture of the attack found at his home. david's mum marian said her son's murder was the hardest thing she and herfamily have been through, something no parent should have to go through. but, she said, she was grateful to god that today they have seen justice. sentencing for david's murder will take place in september. lebo diseko, bbc news.

how would you feel if your employer told you they might dock your pay if you chose to work from home permanently? well, that's what google might soon be telling it's employees be telling its employees if they live in a different area from where their offices are. the tech giant says that compensation should be determined by the cost of living of where an employee works from, and they are not the only ones in the industry saying this. microsoft, facebook, and twitter have also offered less pay for employees based in locations where it's more inexpensive to live. well, for more on this subject, i'm joined now byjake rosenfeld, who is a professor of sociology in saint louis, missouri. hello to you. thank you so much for joining us. what is driving this, and your opinion? google doesn't really need to save money, does it?

no, this is not a company and distressed by any means. i think that's a great question. i think partly in the background is google's attempt to lure more and more workers back to the office by appearing to be flexible and saying you can work at home, but there are going to be sanctions attached. there might be a hope that some workers don't take them up on this option. workers don't take them up on this 0 tion. ., , , workers don't take them up on this otion. ., , ., , workers don't take them up on this otion. , ., , option. has there been any sort of reaction, either _ option. has there been any sort of reaction, either from _ option. has there been any sort of reaction, either from employees l option. has there been any sort of| reaction, either from employees or reaction, eitherfrom employees or more generally? l reaction, either from employees or more generally?— more generally? i think right now, the 've more generally? i think right now, they've just _ more generally? i think right now, they've just rolled _ more generally? i think right now, they've just rolled it _ more generally? i think right now, they've just rolled it out _ more generally? i think right now, they've just rolled it out and - more generally? i think right now, they've just rolled it out and i - they've just rolled it out and i will caught up google for being transparent about what they're going to do —— i will applaud google. reaction has not been overwhelmingly positive. there are a couple of potential problems with this move by google and some of its other companies. their pay cuts that go way back, often interpreted as an

insult. as a kind of reflection of our performance at work. that can lead to morale issues for the company. lead to morale issues for the company-— lead to morale issues for the coman. . , �*, company. so, what is google's calculation _ company. so, what is google's calculation here? _ company. so, what is google's calculation here? well, - company. so, what is google's calculation here? well, i- company. so, what is google's calculation here? well, i think| calculation here? well, i think gooale calculation here? well, i think google is— calculation here? well, i think google is a — calculation here? well, i think google is a highly _ calculation here? well, i think google is a highly sought - calculation here? well, i thinkj google is a highly sought after place of work. they see an opportunity where they can lower labour costs. they are not hurting, they have paid these workers 100% of their salary beforehand and can continue to do so. but this is a way to lower labour costs, but also, i think, and the unsaid part here, it's a way to encourage workers back into the office or back into the google hubs. into the office or back into the google hubs-— google hubs. that's really interesting _ google hubs. that's really interesting if _ google hubs. that's really interesting if they - google hubs. that's really interesting if they want i google hubs. that's really interesting if they want to j google hubs. that's really - interesting if they want to do. they can't just interesting if they want to do. they can'tjust come straight out and say so. can't 'ust come straight out and say so. ., �* , so. right now, we're seeing where workin: at so. right now, we're seeing where working at home _ so. right now, we're seeing where working at home is _ so. right now, we're seeing where working at home is a _ so. right now, we're seeing where working at home is a viable - so. right now, we're seeing where | working at home is a viable option.

we're seeing up were in demand by workers who say they want that flexibility —— some uproar. this is a way for google to give that option with a penalty attached. if a way for google to give that option with a penalty attached.— with a penalty attached. if you were a bettin: with a penalty attached. if you were a betting man. _ with a penalty attached. if you were a betting man, what _ with a penalty attached. if you were a betting man, what would - with a penalty attached. if you were a betting man, what would your- with a penalty attached. if you were | a betting man, what would your best bet be? will we see people returning to the office sooner not? it bet be? will we see people returning to the office sooner not? lt all to the office sooner not? it all relates to _ to the office sooner not? it all relates to where _ to the office sooner not? it all relates to where we _ to the office sooner not? it all relates to where we are. - to the office sooner not? it all relates to where we are. here j to the office sooner not? lit all relates to where we are. here in the united states, things are pretty grim. should there be improvement, i do think we'll see more and more workers returning to the office. you will see in industries like tech, some of google's competitors are probably announcing they're not taking this step, not lowering pay for remote workers. you'll see some real variation in those industries in which working from home remains viable. ., ~' , ., in which working from home remains viable. ., ~ ,, in which working from home remains viable. ., ~' ,, . in which working from home remains viable. ., ~ . ., viable. thank you so much, professor jake rosenfeld. _ for the last few years, emanuele azzaretto has been searching the pacific ocean

for treasure in the form of bottles of wine and champagne on the sea bed. but unlike most explorers, he doesn't have to spend years in search of his prized possession, for emanuele was the one who put the booze at the bottom of the ocean in the first place. he's been exploring use the ocean floor as wine cellar for a number of years now, so was sebastian from the little mermaid right when he said, "darling, it's better hejoins us now. where on earth did you get this idea from, because i never heard of it?— never heard of it? thank you for havin: never heard of it? thank you for having me- _ never heard of it? thank you for having me. actually, _ never heard of it? thank you for having me. actually, there - never heard of it? thank you for having me. actually, there was| never heard of it? thank you for| having me. actually, there was a ship about 15 years ago. —— a shipwreck. there were more bottles of champagne from 1841 to today, and the ones in the ocean then. that spawned my interest, seeing what was

happening in the ocean.— happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing — happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing this for _ happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing this for a _ happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing this for a while. - happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing this for a while. is - happening in the ocean. so, you've been doing this for a while. is it. been doing this for a while. is it easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actuall , easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually. we _ easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built— easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built a _ easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built a cage _ easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built a cage that - easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built a cage that is - easy to retrieve the bottles? well, actually, we built a cage that is at| actually, we built a cage that is at an angle which basically takes the other electrical current and gently changes how the wine has aged. it's a really interesting way of doing it, plus there is no light, the temperature is 54 fahrenheit, the ocean rocks the bottles and the results are pretty incredible. iliiuiilmat results are pretty incredible. what does it do to _ results are pretty incredible. what does it do to the _ results are pretty incredible. what does it do to the taste _ results are pretty incredible. what does it do to the taste of - results are pretty incredible. what does it do to the taste of the wine? well, i'm not the wine expert, but i think the wine takes a different path of maturation. i offer both

side by side so people can see for themselves. l side by side so people can see for themselves-— side by side so people can see for themselves. i suppose all forms of sea life must _ themselves. i suppose all forms of sea life must wonder _ themselves. i suppose all forms of sea life must wonder what - themselves. i suppose all forms of sea life must wonder what is - themselves. i suppose all forms of sea life must wonder what is this l sea life must wonder what is this cage? sea life must wonder what is this ca . e? ~ , , sea life must wonder what is this cae? . , , , ., . sea life must wonder what is this cane? ~ , , , , sea life must wonder what is this cae? ,' , ., cage? well, yes, the place is not the best diving _ cage? well, yes, the place is not the best diving spot. _ cage? well, yes, the place is not the best diving spot. it's - cage? well, yes, the place is not the best diving spot. it's dark - cage? well, yes, the place is not| the best diving spot. it's dark and murky and there is a lot of plankton moving around there, so that why the barnacles grow, all the little microorganisms.— barnacles grow, all the little microorganisms. barnacles grow, all the little microoruanisms. microorganisms. barnacles on the actual bottles. — microorganisms. barnacles on the actual bottles, that's _ microorganisms. barnacles on the actual bottles, that's part - microorganisms. barnacles on the actual bottles, that's part of- microorganisms. barnacles on the actual bottles, that's part of the l actual bottles, that's part of the future? , �* , actual bottles, that's part of the future? , �*, ., , actual bottles, that's part of the future? , �*, ., future? yes. there's actually one ri . ht future? yes. there's actually one right behind _ future? yes. there's actually one right behind here. _ future? yes. there's actually one right behind here. hold _ future? yes. there's actually one right behind here. hold it - future? yes. there's actually one right behind here. hold it up - future? yes. there's actually one right behind here. hold it up for. right behind here. hold it up for us. my goodness! _ right behind here. hold it up for us. my goodness! that's - us. my goodness! that's extraordinary! that's been in the water for how long? this extraordinary! that's been in the water for how long?— extraordinary! that's been in the water for how long? this is been in there for 12 — water for how long? this is been in there for 12 months. _ water for how long? this is been in there for 12 months. goodness - water for how long? this is been in| there for 12 months. goodness me. emanuele. — there for 12 months. goodness me. emanuele, what _ there for 12 months. goodness me. emanuele, what sort _ there for 12 months. goodness me. emanuele, what sort of— there for 12 months. goodness me. emanuele, what sort of prices - there for 12 months. goodness me. | emanuele, what sort of prices would you face for a bottle like that?

well, it's really... i don't make wine, i do this process with winemakers. really, it depends who's winery we're working with that really sets the price for the line. 0k, really sets the price for the line. ok, we'll have to leave it there. luckily for the talk to you. emanuele azzaretto, thank you. thank ou. have emanuele azzaretto, thank you. thank you- have a — emanuele azzaretto, thank you. thank you- have a great _ emanuele azzaretto, thank you. thank you. have a great evening. _ would you spend the best part of £2000 on a slice of cake that's 40 years old. that's what one buyer did at auction, but this isn'tjust years old. that's what one buyer did at auction, but this isn't just any old piece of vanilla sponge. it's from the 9080 wedding of prince charles and princess diana —— 1980. it comes from one of the 23 official wedding cakes and features the royal coat of arms coloured in gold, red,

blue and silver. it was expected to raise just £500, blue and silver. it was expected to raisejust £500, but blue and silver. it was expected to raise just £500, but auctioneers said they were amazed at the interest. bon appetit. hello there. if you've been lucky enough to see some sunshine in recent days, you'll have temperatures about where they should be for the time of year. and that's mostly been affecting parts of eastern england, but not the extreme heatwave conditions that we've seen through the mediterranean and actually as we head towards the weekend, some of that extreme heat is going to shift its attention further west across to spain, particularly inland spain, where we could see temperatures peaking in excess of 47 celsius. it has the potential to be record—breaking. for us, however, we've got an area of low pressure up into the north—west, still a south—westerly flow, so once again, if you keep some sunshine, you'll see temperatures pretty much peaking they should be. but that low will continue to bring some blustery winds and squally showers into northern ireland and western scotland.

there will also be a little bit more in the way of cloud, so, i suspect, at the far south—east, we'll see the warmest of the weather with 24 celsius, 75 fahrenheit, by thursday afternoon. moving out of thursday into friday, we've still got that low with us and it's going to slowly drift its way steadily eastwards. so where we've seen a west—east divide with the weatherjust recently, it's going to be more of a north—south divide, with the low bringing blustery winds and showery outbreaks of rain, particularly into scotland and perhaps into northern ireland. further south of that, it will be a largely dry story and despite a little more in the way of cloud, temperatures are still likely to peak at 22 celsius, that's 72 fahrenheit. now, for the start of the weekend, it's really quite messy. there's the low sitting to the north, really not moving very far very fast, and there is a potentialfor a pulse of wetter weather to move in from the atlantic. now, the position of this rain is really subject to doubt. it could be just that little bit further north and it looks likely

to the south it'll stay dry and relatively warm, so we need to keep abreast of the forecast if you've got outdoor plans for the start of the weekend, but in the sunniest weather and the driest weather, once again 22, 72 degrees. it looks likely that the low will slowly drift off into scandinavia, gradually allowing this high pressure to build, but slowly but surely. that means that the second half of the weekend we may well see some quieter weather as the low gradually drifts away from scotland. so western scotland slowly brightening up along with northern ireland, more sunshine for england and wales and because of that, perhaps temperatures peaking at 23 degrees. mow, moving out of sunday into monday, we've got this now, moving out of sunday into monday, we've got this battleground between the low sitting in scandinavia and the high desperately trying to push in from the atlantic. the wind direction is swinging in a clockwise direction, so that means with a north—westerly air source, despite that high pressure keeping things relatively quiet and dry, it might be just that little bit fresher because a north—westerly air

source always a cooler source. so look at those temperatures, 15 or 16 degrees in the showers, a maximum of 20 celsius, back below the average for the time of year. looking further ahead, the high pressure is likely to stay with us, moving in slowly but surely from the atlantic. so it is a little bit of a wishy—washy weather scenario, i suspect, but because the high pressure stays with us for most of the time, do expect a good deal of dry weather in the forecast. so no significant rain to come. however, the temperatures, from time to time, could be a little bit disappointing for this time of year — at the very best into the low 20s, so, again, staying just slightly below where they should be.

humanitarian crisis unfolding in afghanistan across the country. many of those we have met here have run once, twice, multiple times and now they have come here to afghanistan's capital, kabul. from here, they say, there is nowhere else to go. the taliban's advance is unprecdented. is unprecedented. our correspondent has had rare access to the militants and their commanders. translation: it's fighting, people will die. _ you're the one's who started the fighting. translation: we won't acceptl anything other than islamic rule.