the head of the afghan army has been sacked following a rapid offensive by the taliban, who've taken over nine provincial capitals. tens of thousands of civilians have fleed their homes, and hundreds have died in recent weeks. president ashraf ghani has been rallying beleaguered troops in mazar—i—sharif, a crucial northern city under pressure from the offensive. it's long been a bastion of anti—taliban militias. italy may have registered the hottest temperature ever recorded in europe. a reading on the island of sicily registered 48.8 celsius, but this still needs to be verified. the current record is 48 celsius. new charges have been filed against the prominent kremlin critic alexei navalny, who is already serving time in prison. the authorities claim his anti—corruption foundation infringes on people's rights.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the conservative commentator, tim montgomerie, and sienna rodgers who is the editor of labourlist. let's ta ke let's take a look at some of tomorrow's front pages. let's start with the metro — it leads with the title "return to the dark ages" as taliban forces continue to make rapid advances, seizing territories from afghani government forces. according to the telegraph, there are calls for an urgent review of the government's use of private contractors. it follows the arrest of a security guard working at the british embassy in berlin on suspicion of spying for russia. in the ft, the us government calls on oil cartel, opec, a guardian investigation into the state of children's services in the last 18 months reveals a rise in social services

referalls and soaring mental health costs for councils. 30 primary schools in bradford will take part in the pilot. in the ft, the us government calls on oil cartel, opec, to increase oil production in an effort to curb high petrol prices that officials say "could harm the global recovery". well let's begin. let's start with the metro, shall we, and this very stark headline, "return to the dark ages." this is a really interesting front story for the metro, and i suppose it shows us the level of deep alarm?— deep alarm? absolutely, i think this is the most — deep alarm? absolutely, i think this is the most extraordinary _ deep alarm? absolutely, i think this is the most extraordinary story - deep alarm? absolutely, i think this is the most extraordinary story in i is the most extraordinary story in the world today, and this front—page is depressing. it's incredibly

saddening. we are reading in this story that children as young as 12 are being captured by the advancing taliban and used as child brides, that women who, in afghanistan during the period when the west were trying to liberate the country from afghanistan, are being captured by the taliban and given to their fighters as spoils of war, effectively as prostitutes. and i think we hear the story of a country falling under the spell of an evil regime, but the way the metro takes us into the human side of what is happening really captures the imagination and brings tears to your eyes, really, that people who have for 20 years been free of this evil regime are fearful that their whole country will fall under their control again. and i'm afraid it

reflects incredibly bad on the west. we have pulled out after we promised to stay true to these people, we've let them down very, very badly. that's a very interesting. sienna, what do you think about this move by a president biden to pull troops out in the spirit of 20 years is enough? i can completely... the decision is understandable in itself, i really think_ understandable in itself, i really think the — understandable in itself, i really think the fact that we are seeing now, _ think the fact that we are seeing now. cities— think the fact that we are seeing now, cities falling to the taliban at a far— now, cities falling to the taliban at a far quicker rate than people had expected, is really embarrassing for the _ had expected, is really embarrassing for the west, it's a humiliation, but not — for the west, it's a humiliation, but not because they are withdrawing now, but not because they are withdrawing now. but _ but not because they are withdrawing now, but because in the first place, ithink— now, but because in the first place, i think the — now, but because in the first place, i think the anti—war movement predicted — i think the anti—war movement predicted this would be the case — that actually, over the years, the poverty— that actually, over the years, the poverty rate has massively increased in the _ poverty rate has massively increased in the region, and this is undoubtedly a failure of the west, and the _

undoubtedly a failure of the west, and the fear is now the region will become _ and the fear is now the region will become fertile ground for terrorist groups. _ become fertile ground for terrorist groups, and it is likely the other powers— groups, and it is likely the other powers will have a big influence on poiitics _ powers will have a big influence on politics there from now on rather than _ politics there from now on rather than us — politics there from now on rather than us. but i think it's unfortunate that the us appears to have decided that more bombing is the answer, there seems to be a lot of pressure — the answer, there seems to be a lot of pressure onjoe biden in that direction, — of pressure onjoe biden in that direction, and i think that is what is unfortunate. find direction, and i think that is what is unfortunate.— direction, and i think that is what is unfortunate. . , ., , is unfortunate. and tim, sienna says there that the _ is unfortunate. and tim, sienna says there that the future _ is unfortunate. and tim, sienna says there that the future for _ there that the future for afghanistan itself looks bleak, but the potential for it to be destabilising for other neighbouring countries and further afield is pretty high? it countries and further afield is pretty high?— pretty high? it really is, and i don't quite — pretty high? it really is, and i don't quite agree _ pretty high? it really is, and i don't quite agree with - pretty high? it really is, and i don't quite agree with what i pretty high? it really is, and i- don't quite agree with what sienna hasjust said, you know, we have to be there. the reason the taliban are advancing is because the afghan forces don't have the aerial support that only the west and supply. if we were still there and engaged

properly, as we have been over the past couple years, the casualty rates in the early years of the afghanistan conflict really high. but recently, just by maintaining air support for the afghan forces, we had held the taliban at be the bay without serious losses of western personnel. we had joe biden at the cornwall g7 summit saying america's back — and it'sjust proven that those are just words, and we are in a strategic conflict with china and russia. people in beijing and moscow will be rubbing their hands in glee because they'll be able to say to all marginal regimes around the world, "you can't trust britain or america, they'll eventually give up on you. trust us." and it may be a deal with the devilfor us." and it may be a deal with the devil for these countries, but at least they know that russia and china will stand with them. i'm thoroughly ashamed, to be honest, of

our democracy�*s failure to stand with these people at the moment. cni, just in response to what tim is saying, that we will move on to another front page — saying, that we will move on to anotherfront page — i said to saying, that we will move on to another front page — i said to you, you know, joe biden is pulling out his troops in a spirit of "twenty years is enough" but maybe that's the wrong way of looking at it, may be 20 years is just too short a time in which to turn around a state that's under such difficulty? i understand what tim is saying and i thought— understand what tim is saying and i thought that he would disagree with what i _ thought that he would disagree with what i was saying there. i agree obviousiy— what i was saying there. i agree obviously with all the things he said about how heartbreaking the story— said about how heartbreaking the story is. — said about how heartbreaking the story is, the way that the metro has reported _ story is, the way that the metro has reported that these girls are being raped _ reported that these girls are being raped and — reported that these girls are being raped and taken as sex slaves, it's absentiy— raped and taken as sex slaves, it's absently heartbreaking. but i think the fact— absently heartbreaking. but i think the fact that we are in the situation _ the fact that we are in the situation now is really a reflection ofjust_ situation now is really a reflection ofiust how— situation now is really a reflection ofjust how poorly we've done over the last— ofjust how poorly we've done over the last 20 — ofjust how poorly we've done over the last 20 years. this situation

shouldn't— the last 20 years. this situation shouldn't be happening now after that intervention, if that intervention had been done correctly. i think that's what we need _ correctly. i think that's what we need to— correctly. i think that's what we need to he _ correctly. i think that's what we need to be looking at.— correctly. i think that's what we need to be looking at. many thanks. be discussing _ need to be looking at. many thanks. be discussing that _ need to be looking at. many thanks. be discussing that story _ need to be looking at. many thanks. be discussing that story in _ need to be looking at. many thanks. be discussing that story in greater i be discussing that story in greater detail in the coming days and weeks. let's move to the front page of the telegraph, tim, "mps urgejavid to cap travel test cost at £40." what is it saying in detail? cap travel test cost at £40. " what is it saying in detail?— is it saying in detail? such a chance is it saying in detail? such a change of — is it saying in detail? such a change of gear _ is it saying in detail? such a change of gear from - is it saying in detail? such a change of gear from our - is it saying in detail? such a | change of gear from our last is it saying in detail? such a - change of gear from our last story! i'm sorry about that, we have an eclectic mix of front—page stories today. eclectic mix of front-page stories toda . ., , ., , ., ., today. there are people who have missed out _ today. there are people who have missed out on _ today. there are people who have missed out on a _ today. there are people who have missed out on a foreign _ today. there are people who have missed out on a foreign holiday i today. there are people who have i missed out on a foreign holiday over the last couple years for reasons we are all familiar with. but of course there are also lots of people who are going abroad notjust to sit on are going abroad notjust to sit on a beach or whatever, but to reconnect with family, you know, we

live in an age where families are strong over continents, so travelling abroad for a lot of people is about connecting with relatives — perhaps people who are relatives — perhaps people who are relatives near the end of their lives. it's not a choice for them in that sense. so the rates that people have been asked to pay for covid tests have been extortionate. on top of what i have been quite high flight prices, the tests for covid, if you have a family of four, you are paying hundreds of pounds on top of your normal cost. so it is good to see tori mps in the new health secretary taking this cost where lots of profiteering is taking place, and hopefully we can bring these costs down for people. chi? place, and hopefully we can bring these costs down for people. cni? -- sienna? we — these costs down for people. cni? -- sienna? we have _ these costs down for people. cni? -- sienna? we have ripoff— these costs down for people. cni? -- sienna? we have ripoff prices - these costs down for people. cni? -- sienna? we have ripoff prices for- sienna? we have ripoff prices for these pcr tests, _ sienna? we have ripoff prices for these pcr tests, still _ sienna? we have ripoff prices for these pcr tests, still averaging i these pcr tests, still averaging £75. _ these pcr tests, still averaging £75. and — these pcr tests, still averaging £75, and the risk turning holidays into only—

£75, and the risk turning holidays into only for the wealthy — that's what _ into only for the wealthy — that's what tori — into only for the wealthy — that's what tori mps are calling on sajid javid to _ what tori mps are calling on sajid javid to take action on, because of that _ javid to take action on, because of that the — javid to take action on, because of that. the experience of international travellers in terms of the uk _ international travellers in terms of the uk compared to other countries is really— the uk compared to other countries is really stark will stop you would expect _ is really stark will stop you would expect that the uk could be just as better— expect that the uk could be just as better prepared —— just as prepared or better— better prepared —— just as prepared or better prepared than other european countries and not have this ridiculous— european countries and not have this ridiculous profiteering happening. and yet— ridiculous profiteering happening. and yet it — ridiculous profiteering happening. and yet it is, and it clearly needs to he _ and yet it is, and it clearly needs to be addressed. there are so many things— to be addressed. there are so many things to _ to be addressed. there are so many things to he — to be addressed. there are so many things to be addressed about our coronavirus situation, our handling of this— coronavirus situation, our handling of this crisis — coronavirus situation, our handling of this crisis. but this is one of them — of this crisis. but this is one of them. �* . of this crisis. but this is one of them. �* , , , .., , them. it's interesting because the rice them. it's interesting because the price that's _ them. it's interesting because the price that's been _ them. it's interesting because the price that's been suggested - them. it's interesting because the price that's been suggested by - them. it's interesting because the| price that's been suggested by the conservative whose name here is £40. i wonder where that figure comes from? to either of you have any idea? i don't know how much it costs to make and process a pcr test, i don't think the story necessarily says. i don't know if either of you

know? i says. i don't know if either of you know? ~ �* . says. i don't know if either of you know? ,, �* , , , says. i don't know if either of you know? ~ �* , , , ., says. i don't know if either of you know? ~' �* , , , ., ii know? i think it's less than £40, i think we can _ know? i think it's less than £40, i think we can allow _ know? i think it's less than £40, i think we can allow companies - think we can allow companies a little bit of profit. but when the cost of these tests is 3—6 times what seems to be the basic cost of this test, then this is extortion that's absolutely unacceptable. and if we do want to get the travel industry on its feet, which employees huge amount of british people, they are very fearful of their futures, people, they are very fearful of theirfutures, it's not helping theirfutures, it's not helping their industry if, on top of their normal travel costs, they are having to pay these huge fees, as well. fik. to pay these huge fees, as well. 0k. sienna, to pay these huge fees, as well. 0k. sienna. can — to pay these huge fees, as well. 0k. sienna. can we _ to pay these huge fees, as well. ok. sienna, can we go to another story on the telegraph — what is greenwashing? i on the telegraph - what is greenwashing?— on the telegraph - what is greenwashing? on the telegraph - what is cureenwashin ? ,, ., , greenwashing? i think we are seeing an awful lot of— greenwashing? i think we are seeing an awful lot of this. _ greenwashing? i think we are seeing an awful lot of this. a _ greenwashing? i think we are seeing an awful lot of this. a bit _ greenwashing? i think we are seeing an awful lot of this. a bit like all - an awful lot of this. a bit like all these _ an awful lot of this. a bit like all these social movements like lgbt pride. _ these social movements like lgbt pride. att— these social movements like lgbt pride, all those kinds of things,

the corporations latch onto them and they start _ the corporations latch onto them and they start making it part of their brand _ they start making it part of their brand in— they start making it part of their brand in order to appeal to younger people. _ brand in order to appeal to younger people, people who are conscious about _ people, people who are conscious about the — people, people who are conscious about the environment, in this case. so basically. — about the environment, in this case. so basically, in very simple terms, it's all— so basically, in very simple terms, it's all pretending to be greener than _ it's all pretending to be greener than you — it's all pretending to be greener than you are. this story is about energy— than you are. this story is about energy companies that are misleading consumers. _ energy companies that are misleading consumers, saying that they're presenting deals as perfectly ego friendly. — presenting deals as perfectly ego friendly, but actually they aren't as green— friendly, but actually they aren't as green as they seem. —— geico friendly — as green as they seem. —— geico friendly we _ as green as they seem. —— geico friendly. we know from new polling today— friendly. we know from new polling today the _ friendly. we know from new polling today the british public is very keen— today the british public is very keen to — today the british public is very keen to do what they can to address the climate — keen to do what they can to address the climate crisis. they think politicians are not doing enough, they want— politicians are not doing enough, they want ambitious targets, they want to— they want ambitious targets, they want to see action, you know, all of the stuff— want to see action, you know, all of the stuff is — want to see action, you know, all of the stuff is actually becoming more and more _ the stuff is actually becoming more and more real for people, as well, as we've _ and more real for people, as well, as we've seen extreme weather here, flooding. _ as we've seen extreme weather here, flooding, destroying people's homes and livelihoods. so this is an

important _ and livelihoods. so this is an important story and a real issue that could — important story and a real issue that could cause concern because people _ that could cause concern because people need that transparency. andi people need that transparency. and i su ose people need that transparency. and i soppose it's — people need that transparency. and i suppose it's inevitable, _ people need that transparency. and i suppose it's inevitable, if— people need that transparency. jifuc i suppose it's inevitable, if there people need that transparency. fific i suppose it's inevitable, if there is public concern, that there will be businesses and certain industries thatjump on the bandwagon? share thatjump on the bandwagon? sire: politicians, as well, thatjump on the bandwagon? firs politicians, as well, there's politicians, as well, there's politicians who pretend to be green and don't necessarily walk the walk as well as talk the talk. call me cynical, but yes, the public may tell pollsters completely accurately that they want action on the environment — but when energy prices start to go up, we've had the energy gap issue going up the last week, when taxes may go up to pay for environmental measures, there are very few instances anywhere around the world, from canada to germany, to australia where people are actually willing to really pay the kind of serious money that'll probably be necessary for the of

radical environmental action that we've heard is necessary, for example, from the un climate report this week. and even if the west was willing to take action on the scale that was necessary, even if western consumers and taxpayers were willing to take necessary action, that doesn't even begin to deal with whether china will stop building its coal—fired power stations. i'm much more someone who thinks we need to do an awful lot more about preparing for climate change rather than trying to combat it, because ijust don't see the resolve, either in western democracies or the chinese totalitarian state, to take the kind of energy that's necessary —— the kind of action necessary. of energy that's necessary -- the kind of action necessary.- kind of action necessary. huge questions _ kind of action necessary. huge questions for _ kind of action necessary. huge questions for the _ kind of action necessary. huge questions for the immediate . kind of action necessary. huge questions for the immediate future, and even for the present. let's move on, cni, front page of the financial times is a story we've been running all day, "uk embassy worker held in germany on suspicion of spying for moscow." it has a very cold war feel

to this headline, doesn't it? definitely, it's like watching a spy film. _ definitely, it's like watching a spy film. isn't — definitely, it's like watching a spy film, isn't it? it's one of those stories— film, isn't it? it's one of those stories that _ film, isn't it? it's one of those stories that seems like stranger than _ stories that seems like stranger than fiction. so the story is that is 57—year—old who we are calling david _ is 57—year—old who we are calling david s _ is 57—year—old who we are calling david s was— is 57—year—old who we are calling david s was arrested in berlin following an investigation, and he is suspected of having worked for foreign _ is suspected of having worked for foreign agents since november. i think— foreign agents since november. i think they've been keeping an eye on him for— think they've been keeping an eye on him for some time, his apartment in his workplace have been searched. so he faces— his workplace have been searched. so he faces charges of engaging in... so obviously in light of recently, we saw — so obviously in light of recently, we saw that matt hancock cctv from his office _ we saw that matt hancock cctv from his office being leaked to the press. — his office being leaked to the press, you know, there are lots of growing _ press, you know, there are lots of growing concerns over the