this is bbc news — i'm martine croxall — our top stories, the taliban captures herat, afghanistan's third biggest city, and are closing in on kandahar — the second largest. the us says it's sending 3000 troops to kabul to help evacuate some staff from the american embassy. from the pulpit to politics — the anti—vaxxers who refuse to change their tune as the delta variant sweeps through america's south. the us homeland security chief heads to the mexico border as the the number of attempted migrant crossings hits a 21—year high. and another

year of record high gcse grades here in the uk, with teacher assessments instead of exams raising questions about regional differences. hello and welcome. in the last few hours we heard the provincial capital has fallen to the taliban. earlier in the david group also captured afghanistan's also captured afg hanistan�*s third—biggest also captured afghanistan's third—biggest city and appear poised to gain control of kandahar, the second largest. the now control about two thirds of the country. the country. the group says life under

its rules will be different for afghan civilians compared to the 19905 afghan civilians compared to the 1990s and the fear is for a group's strict interpretation of sharia law will return. afghanistan, 2021 — the taliban are back, taking city after city from government forces. the withdrawal of foreign troops has left a power vacuum the taliban are rushing to fill. if they take power, many people here fear a return to their brutal regime of the �*90s, characterised by public executions, stonings and girls being banned from school. despite the historic peace deal that was signed between the us and the taliban in february 2020, and the ongoing peace talks taking place in doha, qatar, between the afghan government and the taliban, no progress has been made. i travelled to doha to meet with suhail shahin, a member of the taliban peace negotiation team. if you were to return to kabul, how would you govern?

there was in the past some mistakes that we have learned from, because at that time you were new to the government to stop education of women and girls. that is not our goal. of course, education is their right and it is much needed. while suhail shahin continues to talk about peace, it's clearly not a view shared by taliban commanders closing in on afghanistan's cities. back in kabul, taliban commander maulana from helmand agreed to meet me. what do you want? do you want the taliban regime to come back into power or do you think that there should be a power—sharing deal with the current government? like the discussions that are being had in doha? translation: we would be happy to have a joint government under. the umbrella of islamic sharia. a sharia—based system -

in afghanistan, like the system the taliban used to have. if we talk about law and order and justice, if someone were to steal or commit adultery, what should happen to them? translation: all this is clearly stated in the koran. _ if someone steals, - there is a punishment, for example, for some theft, the punishment is cutting - off the hand and foot. and if someone commits adultery, then they should be stoned. - and if there isn't a political resolution to this conflict, are you prepared to take kabul by force? translation: i'm trying to defeat | the government and they're trying| to make me disappear. in the end, we will be compelled to kill one another.

increasingly, it appears there is a disconnect between what is being said by the political office in doha and what the taliban commanders and foot soldiers are doing on the ground in afghanistan. but the vice president of afghanistan remains defiant. this group in doha. they are a deceptive facade of a very dark reality called the taliban. so in your view, have they changed? no, not only they have not changed, they have become savvier in deceiving. with the government adamant to defy a new era of sharia law, and the taliban making significant gains, afghans now seem to be caught up in a savage war that has taken on a life of its own. yalda hakim, bbc news, kabul. let's head over to washington and speak to the bbc�*s gary 0'donoghue for more on the evacuation of staff from the us embassy.

the pentagon have been holding a press conference and team to point out the limited scope of this mission. , , . h, out the limited scope of this mission. , , . , ,, mission. yes. very much so stressing what they called _ mission. yes. very much so stressing what they called being _ mission. yes. very much so stressing what they called being a _ mission. yes. very much so stressing what they called being a temporary i what they called being a temporary admission with a narrow focus and also pointing out the state department want to get their personnel out to which the mission to do by the end of this month. that is barely a couple more weeks and we just over whether or not they will be there any longer than that we do not know. what we have been told is that at that its mission is complete that at that its mission is complete that they still will be fewer than a thousand troops inside afghanistan to protect the remaining diplomats and embassy there. it's unquestionably a reverse and in some sense this is not intended and gave already evacuated to a half—dozen trips and now 3000 more to affect

evacuation and the reality has changed so much on the ground that the urgency has become great because of the advances that are made in the last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made. mb? last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made.— last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made. why are the voice is saying — decision has to be made. why are the voice is saying in _ decision has to be made. why are the voice is saying in the _ decision has to be made. why are the voice is saying in the united - decision has to be made. why are the voice is saying in the united states i voice is saying in the united states what was the last 20 years on about if we are seeing taliban take such huge slaves of afghanistan so quickly? huge slaves of afghanistan so cuickl ? ., ., ., ._ , huge slaves of afghanistan so cuickl ? ., ., ., , ., quickly? you do hear voices that they look. _ quickly? you do hear voices that they look. we — quickly? you do hear voices that they look, we are _ quickly? you do hear voices that they look, we are really - quickly? you do hear voices that they look, we are really worried| they look, we are really worried about the advances in civil society that have been achieved inside afghanistan and the building of schools and the emancipation of women to that extent and being educated and the changes in the culture that all of that could be wiped away by the time —— by the taliban and you heard there dead taliban and you heard there dead taliban have become to some people more savvy. he talked about not going back these things and some

elements still talk about the return of sharia law and they islamic amorites of afghanistan as they used to call it. to that end i think that's why you are seeing statements coming out of qatar where the talks are being held between the taliban and the afghan government and other regional powers saying that taking this country by force and we would be isolated and he will get no assistance and the question is of course, it's the taliban clear about that. i diplomatic correspondent explains what steps did british are taking. what we are going to see if they arrive at end the deployment of 600 british troops and some of those will already be on the way and in position to facilitate their final stages of the withdrawal of the

number of personnel. some british embassy personnel and the size of the embassy is being reduced and other british nationals were working in afghanistan that are being advised by the british government to leave as soon as they can include all sites of people working with ngos security contractors and so forth and also a member of afghan and feminine situation to what you just heard gary describing and afghans who are eligible for a programme that the british government has to relocate them and their families to the uk. these are people who have been translator or in other some way or another worked with the british authorities and as a result they have a claim for their own safety to want to leave the country. all of that is going to happen. what the government is saying is that this is all absolutely part of the planet has been for months. and of course everything that's happening right now essentially is inevitable or has been inevitable every since joe been inevitable every sincejoe

biden been inevitable every since joe biden announced been inevitable every sincejoe biden announced earlier in the year that they are taking to withdraw american troops from afghanistan and it's all inevitable but i think the pace said it is being increased and there is a real sense of urgency because of what we see on the ground with his taliban advance in the past week or two. that is clearly concentrating mind and speeding up the process and in the case of the british embassy it's leading to a reduction in the staff which they had not necessarily expected to do just now. had not necessarily expected to do 'ust now. ., , . , ., just now. people in the city of anic just now. people in the city of panic have — just now. people in the city of panic have been _ just now. people in the city of panic have been told - just now. people in the city of panic have been told to - just now. people in the city of panic have been told to stay l just now. people in the city of- panic have been told to stay inside at the reports of gunfire. emergency services are responding to likes being described as a serious incident in the city. i and air ambulances and doctors and paramedics are being sent to district. the local mp said they are a number of the themes but it was not terror related.

it's a case study in what happens when religion and politics clash with science. as we've been reporting this week: the number of covid infections are surging in the united states as a result of the delta variant. but it's where that's happening that's most interesting. health professionals are calling it an epidemic of the unvaccinated. there was an average of 113 thousand cases per day in the us over the last week. but the sharp increase in hospitalisations and deaths is nearly all concentrated in strongly republican — and religious — southern states where vaccine take—up has been virtually half the national average. 0ur north america editor, jon sopel is in louisiana and has been travelling across the deep south to find out why. the life tabernacle church in louisiana. congregation — thousands. influence in the state — considerable. a message — don't get vaccinated. pastor spell estimates fewer than i% of his churchgoers have been. vaccinations keep them alive. they will not, that

has not been proven. but this is an epidemic of the unvaccinated now, in the south. that is what is being said by politicians, but we don't trust that. and the people who run the hospitals. and that is financially motivated. and those we spoke to before the service began were of like mind. have you been vaccinated? no, sir, i have not. and will you get vaccinated? no, sir, iwon't. why? because i don't trust it, and i don't know what's in them. are you going to get vaccinated? no. why? i don't think there's a need for a vaccination. like, ifeel... i feel like i'm 0k without it. someone else who bought into this viewpoint was 22—year—old josh bradstreet—contreras. he was a fit, healthy college kid and last friday after contracting covid a week earlier, died. he was unvaccinated. his mother tarsha is now on a mission to persuade other young people that actually they are not invincible.

if i could sell all my worldly possessions, and it's not much that i have, to bring josh back i would. everything, even the shirt on my back. so in other words, get the vaccine. take the vaccine. in louisiana, just 37% of adults have had the jab. across the state line, that drops to 35%, the lowest in the country. we have just crossed the border from louisiana into mississippi, another state where cases are surging, another state where it's impossible to get an intensive care bed. but the republican governor is refusing to follow government advice that people should wear a mask. once again, issues of politics have become hopelessly intertwined with matters of public health. and the politics is this — the areas with the lowest vaccine rates are in districts where support for donald trump was highest.

and in a rewriting of one of america's most famous gun supporting slogans, these people are defending the right not to bare their arms. but that has resulted in the king's daughters hospital in rural mississippi being inundated like never before with covid cases. the senior physician is wrung out. it's pretty dire. we are running out of beds, we are running out of staff. we are running out of the oxygen means that we give these patients. we're interrupted by him having to deal with an emergency in intensive care. we have a patient that is maxed out on life support in the intensive care unit, despite our best efforts and measures they're just not getting better. a couple of hours after we had stopped filming, we were told that the 68—year—old man had died. he had not been vaccinated. jon sopel, bbc news, in the deep south.

stay with us on news, still to come: stu d e nts students are seeing how they fared on their gcses. ministers at stormont have decided to ease covid isolation rules, which will bring northern ireland into line with the rest of the uk on monday. the devolved government is also lifting restrictions on social gatherings in private gardens, and is allowing conferences and exhibitions to resume. 0ur correspondent emma vardy has more. they held back on some other key areas that some people were hoping for identical a bit further. 0ne areas that some people were hoping for identical a bit further. one of thoseis for identical a bit further. one of those is the social distancing rules indoors. he will remain in place in northern ireland. that means nightclubs cannot reopen that they have been elsewhere in the uk and it's going to be a big disappointment for the hospitality industry. he had been pushing really

hard for social distancing rules indoors to be dropped here today can get more people to the doorstep of my people onto tables and things like that in pubs and restaurants. parts of every age that's reason for caution here is that northern ireland had the highest infection rates in the uk and also there's been a lower take—up and vaccination particularly i among young age groups so stated a cause for concern. here in the uk — more than half a million gcse students in england, wales and northern ireland have achieved another set of record results, with both the proportion of students getting top grades and those achieving pass rates rising slightly from last year. it follows a second year in which exams were replaced with the assessments of teachers. from leeds 0ur education editor branwenjeffreys reports. a calm results day at this leeds comprehensive. grades were slightly up overall. for some, like sophie, complete delight. i'm so happy. i've done way better than i thought i did.

i've got english literature, i got a nine. english language i got a nine, drama, i got a nine. girls got two thirds of the top grade nines in england. they also edged ahead for the first time in maths. with teacher assessed grades, top grades remained higher than before the pandemic. it made it a lot more nerve—racking than probably normal gcses would be. yeah, i got more than i hoped for. i'm just really proud of myself. they kept learning through lockdowns and self isolating, knowing it was harderfor some in theiryear group. i do know some people who have struggled with online learning because they don't have... they have bad internet connection, or they might not have the proper newest laptops that work fast. so i think it is fair to say that there is a disadvantage in the north. at this school, the gap between better—off and disadvantaged prove slightly wider. but the starkest difference

is north to south. the pandemic hasn't created the differences between the north and south, but many fear it has entrenched them, with schools across the north of england experiencing substantial disruption during this last year, seeing more families relying on free school meals or struggling financially. the school—bought laptops, offered support. more than a third of pupils here qualified for extra funding. it has been a tough year. families who are working incredibly hard, that have faced challenges around their own working environments, when they are expected to be working, how they are working, working from home, for example. and our students have had to take some of the burden and pressure. in today's results, northern ireland had the highest grades. but in wales too grades remain higher than before the pandemic. melissa got her gcse results today. she was signing up at college for one of the new t—levels

in health and social care. and, for most students, that's what grades are, the passport to the next step. i was signed up for three a—levels at a couple of different colleges, and then i heard about t—levels and decided that the more practical side appealed to me more than just sitting in a classroom all day. but for colleges, there is a challenge. with more getting better results, it is hard to work out if students need extra help. so, they're running a six—week welcome programme here. say for example we've got a group of 20 students, they're all coming in with different levels of skills, abilities and knowledge. and the real challenge we have for those students is making sure that they're on the right programme, at the right level, and we're going to be able to support them to stay in their learning and be successful. students are relieved to have got through this last year. but next year, exams are back —

and that's a different challenge. their reasoning are called the among children nearly doubled injuly and hospitals are being stretched to capacity. afterfour hospitals are being stretched to capacity. after four hours of testimony and debate the school board voted in favour of the mandate. this is what happened after the meeting. chanting.

keep calm! keep calm. you are not on our side! the — keep calm! keep calm. you are not on our side! the police _ keep calm! keep calm. you are not on our side! the police are _ keep calm! keep calm. you are not on our side! the police are on _ keep calm! keep calm. you are not on our side! the police are on our - our side! the police are on our side! calm _ our side! the police are on our side! calm down! _ our side! the police are on our side! calm down! calm - our side! the police are on our side! calm down! calm down! | our side! the police are on our i side! calm down! calm down! we our side! the police are on our - side! calm down! calm down! we know who ou side! calm down! calm down! we know who you are! — side! calm down! calm down! we know who you are! you _ side! calm down! calm down! we know who you are! you can _ side! calm down! calm down! we know who you are! you can leave _ side! calm down! calm down! we know who you are! you can leave freely - who you are! you can leave freely but we _ who you are! you can leave freely but we will — who you are! you can leave freely but we will find you and we know who you are! _ but we will find you and we know who ou are! ., , ., ., you are! you will never be allowed in ublic you are! you will never be allowed in public again! — you are! you will never be allowed in public again! the _ you are! you will never be allowed in public again! the man _ you are! you will never be allowed in public again! the man in - you are! you will never be allowed in public again! the man in the - you are! you will never be allowed in public again! the man in the car the were in public again! the man in the car they were shouting _ in public again! the man in the car they were shouting out _ in public again! the man in the car they were shouting out was - in public again! the man in the car they were shouting out was one i in public again! the man in the car they were shouting out was one of they were shouting out was one of the health care experts who testified at the meeting. the doctor is an internal medicine specialist and also one of the parents at that meeting and hejoined us now. you left with your wife before things turned into what we saw that video. but you were in that meeting described to us what was going on. give us a brief favour.— give us a brief favour. well, thank ou for give us a brief favour. well, thank you for having _ give us a brief favour. well, thank you for having me. _ give us a brief favour. well, thank you for having me. when - give us a brief favour. well, thank you for having me. when i - give us a brief favour. well, thank you for having me. when i went i give us a brief favour. well, thank| you for having me. when i went to that meeting, i went because i knew

there was this meeting to hear about there was this meeting to hear about the benefits or not of having masks in school and the council wanted to hear from in school and the council wanted to hearfrom members of in school and the council wanted to hear from members of the community and ifelt like i with parents in the school system that i should command and my voice. i did not expect what would be there which was a very large crowd of highly organised and charged up and frankly very angry parents holding signs and it became what you saw but what you did not see in the meeting was they were very angry and upset about this mandate and in the meeting myself and several other health care providers from the community, we were there to provide statistics and facts and urge the council to mandates masks for our kids to keep them safe and there were more of the other side of the room and they were

energised to say the least. your child has respiratory _ energised to say the least. your child has respiratory problems. you also have a scientific understanding of this, when you look at that video now, what is your response and your view? �* , now, what is your response and your view? �*, , 4' view? it's disappointing. ithink when ou view? it's disappointing. ithink when you see _ view? it's disappointing. ithink when you see this _ view? it's disappointing. ithink when you see this amount - view? it's disappointing. ithink when you see this amount of i view? it's disappointing. i think- when you see this amount of anger over something that doctors and scientists feel is the only rational way to prevent school closures and infectious outspread, outbreak dentists reaction to me feels out of proportion and to emotional and contrary to what we both want. both sides want the same thing and that's to keep our children safe and to see this kind of outrage it makes me really sad and disappointed. mostly disappointed because what appears to have happen is there has been a

breakdown in our message and the medical community has somehow lost this group of people and i'm not clear how we did it or how we will get them back. it’s clear how we did it or how we will get them back-— get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. _ get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. i— get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. i think - get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. i think a - get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. i think a lot i get them back. it's a sad and disappointed. i think a lot of| disappointed. i think a lot of people would feel afraid seeing those pictures. you work in a covid—i9 hotspot in tennessee. that is who you are seeing now cleaning to be treated for coronavirus? this is a very new _ to be treated for coronavirus? this is a very new phase _ to be treated for coronavirus? ti 3 is a very new phase of the pandemic over here. it is absolutely a pandemic of the unvaccinated right now. we are having difficulty convincing my people to get the vaccine and what we are seeing because in fact is the vast majority of the sick people that are coming they have not gotten the vaccine for one reason or another. some people have got the wrong information and some people were just scared of the unknown but the end result is very sick people and a lot of these people are relatively young. 30s,

40s, 50s, it's not what we are seeing the majority of in the first phase of the pandemic. these are all there. now they are trending more younger and middle—aged. and these patients are getting very sick because of course of the new variant that has become the dominant variant, being downtown, it's far more contagious and can meet people sick orfaster. more contagious and can meet people sick or faster. unfortunately, more contagious and can meet people sick orfaster. unfortunately, i went to sick or faster. unfortunately, i went to about of treatments that his disease has not really brought that much since the beginning of the pandemic. we still use the same drugs. some things that don't work. in many cases these young people are coming and scared that i can't breathe, and we have limited ability to help them. and it is an extracurricular thinking to see. somehow, scientists need to call back the argument. thank you for

talking to us. hello there. low pressure's continuing to bring windy conditions for scotland and northern ireland, plenty of blustery showers further south. we've had quite a bit of cloud across southern england particularly, but that's mostly broken up to allow for some late sunshine. through the evening, though, that area of low pressure continues to pass the north of scotland. that's going to bring further windy weather here and further showers, particularly western scotland into parts of northern ireland. some heavy showers at that, too. further south, a lot of clear skies and a bit of cloud here and there, just one or two showers, perhaps. a breezy day to come across

the board, windy in the northwest. these are mean wind speeds — gusts could be up to 30—40 mph in exposure. a fairly mild night to come and a milder night certainly across the north of the uk than what we've had previous night. so, for friday, we've got that low pressure still to the north of the uk, higher pressure further south, so it does mean we'll see a north—south divide through the day. again, a fairly breezy day across the board, but windy again for scotland in particular, where we'll have lots of showers piling in, particularly to western areas. best of any sunshine will be towards the east. for northern ireland, but certainly for england and wales, a dry and bright day with some sunny spells around. a brighter day in the south compared to thursday. temperatures respond — we could see 23, maybe 2a degrees. for the weekend, it looks fairly mixed. we've got an area of low pressure working its way in from the atlantic. doesn't look like it's going to get very far, though, eastwards, and also, it's going to weaken through the weekend. so, some uncertainty to the amounts of rain we're going to see from this weather front, which will push across the irish sea area. but at the moment, it looks like more central parts of the country which could see some splashes of rain. up to the south of it and to the north,

it should stay dry with some sunny spells. 22—23 degrees in the south given some sunshine, high teens in the north. and then, for sunday, the weather fronts spread their way eastwards, but it is a weakening feature, so i think we'll see variable amounts of cloud through sunday. could see some showery rain for northern scotland, perhaps northern england and southern scotland, and a few showers, perhaps, for southern england as well through the day, in between some good spells of sunshine. the details of this could change, so stay tuned to the forecast. but in some sunshine, in the south, it could feel fairly warm. a few showers are likely across northern and eastern parts of the uk into the start of the new week, but generally, i think we should see a lot of fine weather with some sunshine, but feeling cool.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the us and uk are sending thousands of troops to get embassy staff out of afghanistan, as taliban forces advance through the country. new data from the 2020 us census show a more diverse nation than ever in the nation's history. also in that data, a declining birth rate. we'll ask an expert why she thinks america doesn't make it easy for women to have babies. plus, warnings of searing temperatures across large swathes of southern europe by the weekend. in italy, they've already hit record highs.

the face of america is changing, and it's much more racially and ethnically diverse than it's ever been, according to new numbers from the us census bureau. for the first time ever, the country's white population declined — a shift that wasn't expected for another eight years. among the groups driving this surge were largely asians and hispanics. a new report from pew research shows that more americans welcome the rise of ethnic diversity in the country, but are increasingly divided in how far the nation has come in addressing racial inequality. now here to unpack what this means for the us, i'm joined now by mark hugo lopez, who is the director of race and ethnicity research at pew research center in washington dc, and michael li who serves as the senior counsel at the brennan center's democracy program in new york city. mark and michael, welcome. mark.

there's a clear shift in what the us looks like, what do americans from different backgrounds make of progress in race and equality is yellow it's a really good question. when we look at whether americans... —— a diverse country is stronger. but we also found the recent discussion about the history of slavery and racism in the country is something that divides americans, about whether or not that's good or bad for the country. about half of americans say it's very good. put another half of americans say it's not so good for the country. black americans are more likely, half of them will say it's very good we're having this conversation. the nation is somewhat split about whether or not diversity is good for the country, but also about whether or not the conversation is good for the

nation overall.— nation overall. michael, there is a lot of data — nation overall. michael, there is a lot of data that _ nation overall. michael, there is a lot of data that needs _ nation overall. michael, there is a lot of data that needs to - nation overall. michael, there is a lot of data that needs to be - nation overall. michael, there is al lot of data that needs to be looked through, but what do you know? what are you expecting to see in terms of just how diverse the different parts of the country are? i just how diverse the different parts of the country are?— of the country are? i think the sto of of the country are? i think the story of the — of the country are? i think the story of the census _ of the country are? i think the story of the census is - of the country are? i think the story of the census is not onlyj of the country are? i think the i story of the census is not only how much _ story of the census is not only how much more — story of the census is not only how much more diverse the country has gotten, _ much more diverse the country has gotten, but — much more diverse the country has gotten, but how it's gotten diverse in some _ gotten, but how it's gotten diverse in some places that traditionally werent— in some places that traditionally weren't diverse. particularly the subgroups. as we get into the data, we see _ subgroups. as we get into the data, we see the — subgroups. as we get into the data, we see the suburbs became much more diverse, _ we see the suburbs became much more diverse, and _ we see the suburbs became much more diverse, and that really sort of is a heart _ diverse, and that really sort of is a heart of— diverse, and that really sort of is a heart of many political fights as states _ a heart of many political fights as states redrawn maps to accommodate that diversity and to see whether we can build _ that diversity and to see whether we can build a _ that diversity and to see whether we can build a true multiracial democracy. can build a true multiracial democracy-— can build a true multiracial democracy. how much of a battleground _ democracy. how much of a battleground is _ democracy. how much of a battleground is it - democracy. how much of a battleground is it going i democracy. how much of a battleground is it going to | democracy. how much of a i battleground is it going to be? democracy. how much of a - battleground is it going to be? i think it to be barely significant. -- fairly— think it to be barely significant.

—— fairly significant. texas and georgia — —— fairly significant. texas and georgia really have accidents stonefield to their politics. —— accidental— stonefield to their politics. —— accidental feel. the growth of communities in a lot of ways is like a shock_ communities in a lot of ways is like a shock to — communities in a lot of ways is like a shock to the system. it seems threatening to people, so there is an x essential field of politics. rather— an x essential field of politics. rather than embrace the future, republicans in particular will try to kick— republicans in particular will try to kick the can down the road. who thinks that the — to kick the can down the road. twin thinks that the united to kick the can down the road. i�*h'i�*uff�* thinks that the united states to kick the can down the road. “if!“ir> thinks that the united states is to kick the can down the road. wm? thinks that the united states is on the right track and who thinks there“s the right track and who thinks there's a lot more to be done when it comes to getting people from all backgrounds equal opportunities? this is one of the big findings of our report that points to the political divide. republicans, about half will say the problem country

has made a lot of progress, but it's democrat to say that a lot more deeds to be done. if you take a look at what needs to be done, the us is split there. where another half will say in terms of institutions and processes in place, so the public is divided about the progress we“ve divided about the progress we've made and what should be done. itighten made and what should be done. when it comes to teaching _ made and what should be done. when it comes to teaching in _ made and what should be done. when it comes to teaching in the _ it comes to teaching in the syllabus, the curriculum, how divided our people when it comes to reflecting accurately the experience of black americans? this reflecting accurately the experience of black americans?— of black americans? this is also a very interesting _ of black americans? this is also a very interesting result _ of black americans? this is also a very interesting result from - of black americans? this is also a very interesting result from somej of black americans? this is also a i very interesting result from some of our surveys. the public feel somewhat divided about partisan

divines, but this sort of reflects the general view of americans. diversity is good for the country, but how we talk about it and address it, that's where there is some disagreement about what should and can be done. disagreement about what should and can be done-— can be done. michael, which parts of the country — can be done. michael, which parts of the country are _ can be done. michael, which parts of the country are you _ can be done. michael, which parts of the country are you going _ can be done. michael, which parts of the country are you going to - can be done. michael, which parts of the country are you going to look i can be done. michael, which parts of the country are you going to look at l the country are you going to look at in particular in terms of the redistricting of constituencies? because it can't be the same across the whole country? there will be pockets of more concern of others. that's absolutely right. it's a tale of two _ that's absolutely right. it's a tale of two countries. a lot of states like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms _ like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms or— like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms or how divided government, but the _ reforms or how divided government, but the hotspots are going to be in these _ but the hotspots are going to be in these very— but the hotspots are going to be in these very fast—growing states in these very fast—growing states in the south, particularly texas, georgia, _ the south, particularly texas, georgia, florida and north carolina.

single _ georgia, florida and north carolina. single party control of the process and where — single party control of the process and where to get the maximum benefit, — and where to get the maximum benefit, you have to target... pay attention— benefit, you have to target... pay attention to — benefit, you have to target... pay attention to the south. benefit, you have to target. .. pay attention to the south.— attention to the south. mark, of course this _ attention to the south. mark, of course this survey _ attention to the south. mark, of course this survey was - attention to the south. mark, of course this survey was done i attention to the south. mark, of course this survey was done in l attention to the south. mark, of - course this survey was done in 2020. at the end of the trump administration. how much different could it be in four years? “we’ll could it be in four years? we'll see. i could it be in four years? we'll see- i think— could it be in four years? we'll see. i think the _ could it be in four years? we'll see. i think the impact - could it be in four years? we'll see. i think the impact of - could it be in four years? we'll. see. i think the impact of covid, which is taken more than 600,000 american lives, could have some impact as well on demographics. the census was completed by april one of last year, so even though this count was done in 2020, it is a snapshot of the beginning of the outbreak and the impact on the pandemic on the united states. the nation will continue to become more diverse because most of the growth for the nation demographically is coming

from hispanics, asian americans and black americans.— black americans. michael, which of the political — black americans. michael, which of the political parties _ black americans. michael, which of the political parties would - black americans. michael, which of the political parties would assume | the political parties would assume to take advantage of that growth if it is largely asian and hispanic people pushing it?— it is largely asian and hispanic people pushing it? right now, it is democrats because _ people pushing it? right now, it is democrats because there - people pushing it? right now, it is democrats because there is - people pushing it? right now, it is democrats because there is a - people pushing it? right now, it is| democrats because there is a sharp polarisation of party support, especially in the states i mentioned. really, the census is a snapshot _ mentioned. really, the census is a snapshot of— mentioned. really, the census is a snapshot of what the future will look like — snapshot of what the future will look like. the demographic trends that are _ look like. the demographic trends that are reflected are only going to accelerate, and both parties to embrace — accelerate, and both parties to embrace the future of the country rather— embrace the future of the country rather than kicking the can down the road, _ rather than kicking the can down the road, republicans seem to want to kick the _ road, republicans seem to want to kick the can, but there's only so long _ kick the can, but there's only so long they— kick the can, but there's only so long they can deny the future. at some _ long they can deny the future. at some point, they will be written out

of existence unless they figure out how to _ of existence unless they figure out how to win — of existence unless they figure out how to win by winning over some share _ how to win by winning over some share of— how to win by winning over some share of latino, asian and black voters — share of latino, asian and black voters. that future is rapidly approaching. voters. that future is rapidly approaching-— voters. that future is rapidly attroachint, , ., ., , ~' , voters. that future is rapidly autroachin, , ., ., , ~' , approaching. this data must keep you both very busy- _ approaching. this data must keep you both very busy. mark _ approaching. this data must keep you both very busy. mark and _ approaching. this data must keep you both very busy. mark and michael, i both very busy. mark and michael, thank you both. encounters at the us—mexico border are at 21—year high. last month, there were over 212,000 incidents, which includes migrants who were either brought into custody in the us or were either deported back to their home country. us presidentjoe biden campaigned on reforming us immigration and vowed to "take urgent action" to undo the policies of donald trump. but he's most recently reinstated a trump—era policy allowing for fast track deportations, and has continued to urge potential migrants to stay home. i“m joined now by kennji kizuka, a human rights attorney who is on the mexico side

of the us southern border. thank you very much forjoining us. when you speak to my rickets, what are they telling you about their experiences —— two migrants? can you hear us? everything seems to have frozen. i“m terribly sorry. we“ll frozen. i“m terribly sorry. we'll try and reestablish contact if we can. we can see him but can't hear him. the head of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, said detectives will re—examine allegations against prince andrew following the launch of us civil case against him by a woman for alleged sexual abuse — claims he has consistently denied. she said the force would review its position over the allegations after previously opting not to open an investigation. i'm aware that currently, there is a lot more commentary in the media and an apparent civil court case going on in america.

it's a fact, yes. and we will, of course, again, review our position. as a result of what happened... we'll be looking at the position, of course we will, but at the moment, there is no investigation. the italian island of sicily may have registered the highest temperature ever recorded in europe — 48.8 degrees celsius. the average maximum temperatures for this time of year are normally around 35 degrees in sicily. italy's health ministry had issued red alerts for extreme heat in several regions, and the heatwave has led to the spread of wildfires across the south of the country. 0ur rome correspondent, mark lowen, explains. after fires and floods, a biblical heatwave. sicily with what's believed to be the highest temperature ever recorded in europe, 48.8 degrees. much of southern europe is sweltering and its people are sweating.

translation: it's a strange summer but we have always had _ the desire to travel. our children had to stay home all the winter because of covid—i9 lockdowns, so now we're doing everything to make them happy. red alerts are in force in 15 italian cities. those who can try to cool off. but in this ageing country, there“s concern about the vulnerable. spain too is scorching. with temperatures set to hit the mid to high 40s, the shady squares are the best spots. thermometers from the pandemic are put to other use. it's been prompted by this, an anticyclone, an area of high pressure sat across north africa and southern europe. this one is nicknamed lucifer, — apt for those in its wake. and it's stoking the wildfires, around 500 new blazes ravaging italy last night — the worst in the south. at least four people have died over the past week. translation: this year's

been difficult for us - because of the intense heat. next year, we hope to be able to start our prevention works earlier, so that we can prevent fires, especially in woods and particularly here in etna park. the firefighters are still battling to keep the flames at bay, but man versus lucifer takes a superhuman effort. mark lowen, bbc news. breaking news this hour, police have said there have been a "number of fatalities" in a "serious firearms incident" in plymouth. several other casualties are receiving treatment following the incident in the keyham area of the city, devon and cornwall police said. the force said a critical incident had been declared, the area cordoned off, and it believes the situation is "contained". still to come...

why are experts saying america isn't an easy place to have children? we“ll disucss next. —— discuss. nearly five and a half million people are on the nhs list. more than three and a half —— 300,000 have waited for more than a year. research also shows that 500 700 patients have now been waiting for two years or more —— 5700. hugh pym explains what the numbers mean for those still waiting for treatment. gail is struggling to walk and needs spinal surgery. she has two collapsed discs in her neck. she's been waiting for an operation for nearly a year and she doesn't know when it might happen. if i had a date for my surgery, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

with no date, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. it isjust a long, dark tunnel of pain medication and sofa sitting and... that's my life. surgeons say for gail and others waiting a long time, there's a risk that things will get worse. they may not have been urgent but they are... they become increasingly urgent the longer patients wait, and there is no alternative. these patients need an operation, so we need investment and we need to keep prioritising these patients so they don't get forgotten. the total waiting for routine treatment in england injune was 9.6% of the whole population. in scotland, it was 8.2% in march, the latest available figure. in wales, it was 19.2% in may and in northern ireland, nearly a quarter of the population was on a waiting list, according to march data. hospitals are keen to get people to come in for the treatment that they need. they are also focusing on trying to reduce the backlog of those who have been waiting for a while.

and then there are people out there who didn't come forward during the pandemic but who may yet require hospital care. polls have closed in zambia in one of the most hotly contested general elections to date. there were long lines pointing to a high turnout in a showdown between president edgar lungu and his main rival, hakainde hichilema. the electoral agency says it expects to declare a winner within 72 hours. nomsa maseko has been following today's events. an early start to make their mark. long queues format pulling tastings as millions of zambians waited eagerly to cross their ballots. with some choosing to entertain the crowds. the much anticipated

election resulted in a fight of over —— high voter turnout for the first time in the country's history. the 16 candidates are vying, but this will be a showdown between the incumbent president and his long—time rival. both contenders are confident of an outright win. whoever wins will have a tough task of rebuilding the country's economy and reducing mounting debt. most voters are under the age of 35, and thatis voters are under the age of 35, and that is visible here at the university of zambia and across many other polling stations around the country. they are hopeful their votes will unlock a better future. we know the economy is bad. it's crawling. what i hope for is that we have the best economy we appreciate. so we can compete with... hahn

have the best economy we appreciate. so we can compete with. . ._ have the best economy we appreciate. so we can compete with... how do you feel first time — so we can compete with... how do you feel first time voting? _ so we can compete with... how do you feel first time voting? excited. - feel first time voting? excited. yeah, feel first time voting? excited. yeah. i've _ feel first time voting? excited. yeah, i've been _ feel first time voting? excited. yeah, i've been waiting - feel first time voting? excited. yeah, i've been waiting for i feel first time voting? excited. | yeah, i've been waiting for this moment— yeah, i've been waiting for this moment for a long time, so now we're here and _ moment for a long time, so now we're here and hoping for the very best. political— here and hoping for the very best. political tension had been reported in the lead up to the polls. this led to the deployment of thousands of law enforcement agency to monitor polling stations. it“s hoped political rivals will accept the will of the people when results are announced in the next few days. nomsa maseko, bbc news. the british government says it's seriously concerned about the human rights situation in north west china after allegations of abuse against uyghur muslims. the foreign office has called it a "truly harrowing picture" and has imposed sanctions including asset freezes and travel bans on senior chinese officials. beijing has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. the bbc“s community affairs correspondent, adina campbell, has been to meet one teenage campaigner and herfather who fled china

after he was imprisoned. i've seen them personally and them saying that they don't exist is wrong because i've met them. they say that my family living a happy life. but on the other hand, we hear that they have been sentenced for ten years, 12 years for practising religion. thousands of miles away from their loved ones in china, 18—year—old dilnaz and herfather, karim, are campaigning forjustice. justice from the chinese authorities who sent karim to prison in the 1990s. they kept beating him up, burning his hand with cigarettes, hanging him with hands, like that. and he said that at the end of his imprisonment, which was six months long, he was not able to stand up. karim fled china after serving his time in jail for national hatred and holding a protest, crimes he denies.

he and his family say the uighur community in north west china are still at risk and continue to face brutal abuse by the authorities because of their cultural background. how do you feel about the chinese authorities? they“re killing people, they“re torturing people in concentration camps, forcibly sterilising and raping women. we asked the chinese embassy for a response. they have previously denied all allegations of human rights abuses. dilnaz and her family now live in london, but fearfor the lives of their other relatives who they haven't seen in six years. they are committing human rights offences on a massive scale. they and other human rights campaigners have been holding monthly protests outside the chinese embassy. it makes me feel angry that the world is not acting up for this.

i mean, china's government is committing crimes. they should stop this. karim still bears the physical scars from his time in prison. and there's emotional trauma for dilnaz, who has regular nightmares. do you feel like an ordinary 18—year—old? no, because if i was an ordinary 18—year—old, i would be now living my best life. but that's not what i'm doing. i'm trying to explore new ways to free my people sooner. adina campbell, bbc news. in the us, mothers took on a disproportionate share of the added childcare responsibilities created by the covid—i9 pandemic. that's according to research by indiana university. it's an arrangement that has negatively impacted mothers“ careers, relationships and well—being. mothers working from home during the pandemic also reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness than fathers.

and as today's census reveals, a declining birth rate. experts are warning that in a post—pandemic world, workplaces need to be more supportive of working mothers. what does that mean in practice? jessica calarco is associate professor of sociology at indiana university. her research focuses on inequalities in education and family life. jessica, it sounds like there are a great deal of inequalities. what are the barriers, do you believe, to women having children and choosing to have more of them? {either to have more of them? other countries _ to have more of them? other countries have _ to have more of them? other countries have social - to have more of them? other countries have social safety l to have more of them? other. countries have social safety nets and the us has women. instead of offering affordable childcare, they push women out of the workforce or try to figure out how to care on on their own. being a safety net for other people, puts women and a

disadvantage because no one is there to catch them when they fall. because of the low value we put on feminized labour, women in the us disproportionally work and low ways jobs —— low—wage. women, and especially women and colour —— of colour. especially women and colour -- of colour. ~ ., especially women and colour -- of colour. ~ . ., , ., ~' colour. what extent do you think women are _ colour. what extent do you think women are trapped _ colour. what extent do you think women are trapped between i colour. what extent do you think women are trapped between two colour. what extent do you think- women are trapped between two ideals — the ideal of the career woman and the ideal of the perfect mother? 50. the ideal of the perfect mother? so, mother 's the ideal of the perfect mother? srr, mother 's and the ideal of the perfect mother? sn, mother 's and elite mothers are mother “s and elite mothers are caught between these norms. the ideal worker tells women they should devote all their time and energy to their careers. at the same time, mothers are told to give all their energy to their children. their only so many hours in a day, and mothers simultaneously prioritise both children and their careers. something has to give. in some cases, mothers gave up the number of

children they wanted to have, or their career they wanted to have. it doesn't mean having fewer children is good or bad, just like having a career. but we have to think about the pressure we“re career. but we have to think about the pressure we're putting on mothers. we“re forcing them to create extra time by staying up late or waking up early. itittihtztt create extra time by staying up late or waking up early.— or waking up early. what are the solutions? _ or waking up early. what are the solutions? are _ or waking up early. what are the solutions? are they _ or waking up early. what are the solutions? are they government| or waking up early. what are the - solutions? are they government level or company level? i solutions? are they government level or company level?— or company level? i think we need both, but what _ or company level? i think we need both, but what we _ or company level? i think we need both, but what we really _ or company level? i think we need both, but what we really need are | both, but what we really need are structural supports that will allow women, especially mothers, to be able to have the kind of protection they need and have the same chance of a career that men do, the same chance of having the same of family arrangements. things like affordable childcare, paid family leave or national health insurance, as well as higher minimum wage laws. as, lat as higher minimum wage laws. a lot to address- — as higher minimum wage laws. a lot

to address. jessica _ as higher minimum wage laws. a lot to address. jessica calarco, thank you very much for talking to hello there. it's been pretty unsettled across the north and certainly the north—west of europe for the last few weeks now and we've had temperatures around or below the seasonal average and in fact if we look at the temperature anomalies across the european continent, this huge contrast in temperatures below average to well above average across the mediterranean. in fact, this stifling heatwave has brought all sorts of problems — from greece, the balkans, across to central—southern italy, malta, north africa, and now into iberia. in fact for friday into the weekend, that heat wave will shift in towards iberia. we could be looking at temperatures close to the national record of spain for the weekend. so, this is certainly one to watch. meanwhile further north, it stays pretty unsettled for friday. we've got this area of low pressure moving to the north of the uk. that's going to bring windier

conditions for scotland, northern ireland, plenty of showers — particularly western scotland. some of these will be heavy. i think for england and wales though, closer to an area of high pressure to the near continent. it should be virtually fine. i think we will see more sunshine across the southern areas than we had on thursday, so temperatures responding. we could see 23, maybe 21t celsius. otherwise, it's the high teens for the north. teens further north. now, as we head on into the weekend and then, there will be a lot of dry weather around but we've got a new area of low pressure working its way slowly in from the west but it's a weakening feature, and there's still some uncertainty to how much rain there will be on it and where about it will be — again, high teens in the north. we could make 20—22 across southern areas. now, as we head on into the sunday, it looks like this area of low pressure pushes its way a little further eastwards with this weather front. so, that could introduce more cloud generally i think across the board for sunday. we could have three zones of wet weather — northern scotland, northern england,

and southern england in between some good spells of sunshine. but again, some uncertainty to the detail of this. you'll have to stay tuned nearer the time. given some sunshine, it could be quite warm across the south, temperatures of 23, maybe 21t celsius. now, as you move out of the weekend into the start of the new week, we've got high pressure building in from the south and west but this area of low pressure seen across the norwegian sea is likely to generate some showers for northern and eastern parts of the country. it will also be windier here as well and in fact, those winds will be coming down from the north—west, so never a warm direction. it will actually feel fairly cool on monday despite there being quite a bit of dry and sunny weather the further south and west that you are. those temperatures, generally, in the mid to high teens. now, as we move into tuesday, we've got that area of low pressure again over the north sea, higher pressure towards the south and the west. so, actually, there could be quite a bit of dry and settled weather to come on tuesday. fewer showers across eastern areas as the low slowly pulls away, variable cloud but quite a bit of sunshine around. temperatures may be a degree or so up but still, this is below

par for the time of year. 0ur wind is still coming down from the north—west. as we move deeper into the week, it looks like high pressure wants to maintain its presence across the uk. another one is building in from the south west there, but we've always got weather fronts never too far away from the west of the uk across the atlantic there, but i think generally for the weekend, higher pressure will tend to hold on. for the week ahead, higher pressure will tend to hold on. certainly, its influence will be felt across the country. so, i think many places will tend to stay dry as we move deeper into the new week. variable cloud, some good spells of sunshine and where you get the sunshine, it could be quite warm as winds will be lighter as well. these sorts of values are closer to the seasonal average.

tonight at ten — thousands troops are being sent to afghanistan to evacuate american and uk nationals as city after city falls to the taliban. the taliban are advancing at incredible speed with the islamist fighters now less than 100 miles from kabul. the us says it's going in to help its civilians leave. this is a temporary mission with a narrow focus. as with all deployments of our troops into harm's way, our commanders have the inherent right of self—defence and any attack on them can and will be met with a forceful and an appropriate response. tens of thousands of civilians have fled to kabul but there are fears the capital could fall in weeks. a taliban commander warns of more bloodshed ahead. translation: i'm trying to defeat | the government and they're trying | to make me disappear.

in the end we will be compelled to kill one another.