this is bbc news. the headlines... chaos and panic at kabul airport as thousands of people desperately try to flee the capital of afghanistan — reports say several people died in the mayhem. as armed taliban fighters patrol the streets of kabul and enter the presidential palace, afghanistan's ambassador to the un calls for peace. there is no time for blame game any more. we have an opportunity to prevent further violence, prevent afghanistan descending into a civil war. british embassy staff and british nationals are among the first to arrive home — they flew into raf brize norton last night. and coming up — an interview with nobel prize

winner malala yousafzai — she was shot in the head by the taliban when she was a school girl in pakistan — and is now a global activist for girls�* education. in our other main news today, a one minute silence is held in plymouth, to remember the five people killed in last week's mass shooting. and double jabbed people in england and northern ireland will no longer have to isolate if they've come into contact with someone with covid. welcome to bbc news. there is chaos and panic at kabul airport as thousands of people have flocked there,

desperate to board flights out of afghanistan — after the taliban swept into the capital, putting them in control of the whole country. there've been a number of deaths there today, where fear about the taliban's takeover has driven people to new depths of desperation. a us official has confirmed that american troops killed two armed afghans who were part of the crowd. meanwhile, more than 60 countries, including the us and the uk, have signed a statement saying afghans and other citizens who want to leave must be allowed to go. and the un's secretary general has said the world must unite to combat the "global terrorist threat" in afghanistan. our first report is from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. at kabul airport, the desperation is dangerous. an american military transport plane on the runway this morning, mobbed by afghans trying

to flee their country. eventually, the plane takes off. moments later, as it gains altitude, it appears that two people fall to the ground. thousands of american and british troops have been sent to secure the airport — with helicopters being used to clear the runway it is chaotic and ugly. similar scenes on the civilian side, an afghan airliner unable to leave as crowds frantically try to reach it. outside the gates, shots ring out as the head long dash which began yesterday continues. at least two people have died at the airport today, perhaps more. what a contrast with the city's deserted green zone. once home to government buildings and foreign embassies, now empty but for pockets

of taliban fighters. in a message posted on social media from their political base in qatar, the taliban's co—founder abdul ghani baradar urged his men to remain disciplined. "now we have to show that we can serve our nation," he said. we want an afghan inclusive islamic government. by that we mean all other afghans have also participation in that government. so of course that means legitimate deliberation and talks. anxious moments for the people of kabul, unsure what their new masters have in mind. what will their lives be like? some sceptical that the taliban can be taken at their word. what they are saying, they are looking for legitimacy from the different countries to be accepted as the legitimate

government of afghanistan, but then at the same time what are they doing in practice? either they don't have control of their foot soldiers, or they want the legitimacy but they are not willing to do the work. huge uncertainty too for the aid agencies on whom so many afghans rely. unicef has been in afghanistan for decades, helping with education and health. we will be continuing our work. the taliban has asked us to stay. they understand the importance of our work, they understand we are not political. they have asked us to pause our work for a couple of days while they talk to the rank and file, and make sure that they understand what unicef is here to do, and that our staff can operate safely. afghans have seen so much tumultuous change, experienced so many moments of trauma. this is another such moment. what will it mean for those who leave and those who stay?

paul adams, bbc news. there is so much to discuss given what is going on in afghanistan, and we will reflect that emergency meeting at the un security council as well of course. first, the thoughts the sour from our security correspondent, frank gardner. we were listening to this in the last hour, he said among his very many concerns for afghanistan, he is anxious that the country is going to become a base for organised crime. you have extensive knowledge of this region. what are your thoughts about the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban — the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are _ the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still— the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still working - the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still working it - that caliban are still working it out amongst themselves as to just how strict they are going to be in terms of morality and social reform, the way they turn the country back

to how it was before or not. —— taliban. they will want to project an image of peace and law and order. and they already started directing traffic from kabul. they want to say, look, we are the natural rightful rulers of afghanistan. learn to live at that. we don't yet know how much international recognition in really got to. already, china has reached out and said that it can do business with them. it would have been made very clear to the taliban negotiators in peace talks that if they want to be part of the international community, they cannot provide a safe haven for al-qaeda or other prescribed terrorist groups. that caliban say they have already said that their ties with al-qaeda. but a report that he met a few weeks ago said that he met a few weeks ago said thatis that he met a few weeks ago said that is not true and that there are close tribal and marital links that the two are very closely intertwined. remember that for the last 20 years, western countries have been able to stop terrorist attacks being launched from

afghanistan because they have had a huge partnership with afghan intelligence the nbs service, which has got human informants, they have tip—offs and they have been able to backspace quickly when there has been any sign of a pledge being launched or hatched from somewhere. they don't have that any more. there are remote valleys in provinces and other parts of the country where if they wanted tail, it is possible that internationaljihadists could operate for a limited period, possibly without even the caliban knowing about it for a period of time. so they won't necessarily be in control of the whole of the country. i in control of the whole of the count . ., in control of the whole of the count . . , ., , ., country. i am interested in that you sa the country. i am interested in that you say they are — country. i am interested in that you say they are still _ country. i am interested in that you say they are still working _ country. i am interested in that you say they are still working out - country. i am interested in that you say they are still working out what. say they are still working out what sort of image to portray. i mean, how cohesive of forests is that in terms of... is there one thing that the people at the very top say, but how much control do they actually have on the foot chilled there is who are scattered in different parts of the country? i who are scattered in different parts of the country?—

of the country? i think there is a disconnect _ of the country? i think there is a disconnect and _ of the country? i think there is a disconnect and that _ of the country? i think there is a disconnect and that has - of the country? i think there is a disconnect and that has already| disconnect and that has already become very clear. == disconnect and that has already become very clear.— disconnect and that has already become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if ou become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if you listen — become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if you listen to _ become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if you listen to the _ become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if you listen to the child _ become very clear. -- foot soldiers. if you listen to the child and - if you listen to the child and spokesperson who speaks good english and says there won't be any acts of vengeance, women will be allowed to be educated, there will be peace and security, and other rights, life will be better under the taliban and then under the previous governments, according to them. that is contradicted by reports that are coming in from remote parts of the country where there have been, not any acts of revenge, but horrendous reports of mutilations and brewed out... it may well be that that caliban clamped down on those, and they keep saying that —— taliban human life and property are sacred, and they are there to guarantee it. so i think tojudge and they are there to guarantee it. so i think to judge then on their past performance in the five years that they brought the country from 1960 to 2001 is premature. and, i think they are going to be international pariahs, and not many

countries are going to recognise them or want to do business with them. but that they have modernised and learned lessons, if they don't aspire to terrorism, than they are going to basically get on and do within their own borders what they want to deal, and they may be quite successful. it's too early to tell yet to come and trying to be optimistic here, because you have on the got to look at those horrendous pictures from kabul airport to see what thousands of afghans think about the potential of the next few years being ruled by the caliban or longer. years being ruled by the caliban or loner. ., ~ ., ~ years being ruled by the caliban or loner. . ~ ., ~ ,, , years being ruled by the caliban or lonuer. . ~' . ~' i” , . longer. frank, thank you very much for now. that's _ longer. frank, thank you very much for now. that's our— longer. frank, thank you very much for now. that's our security - for now. that's our security correspondent, frank gardner. as we have been saying, the prime minister chaired a meeting of the cobra emergency committee at lunch time to discuss the worsening situation in afghanistan. numberten discuss the worsening situation in afghanistan. number ten has continued to pledge to get pretty citizens out of the country for as long as it is safe to do so. let's hear now from the foreign secretary, because dominic rob hasjust been giving an update to journalists about all of that. let's hear from

him now. ~ ., _, . ., about all of that. let's hear from him now. ~ ., . ., ., him now. we have concentrated on the evacuation effort _ him now. we have concentrated on the evacuation effort for _ him now. we have concentrated on the evacuation effort for british _ evacuation effort for british nationals and those afghan nationals who have served the united kingdom so loyally. i can say that in the early hours of this morning, we are going to see 150 british nationals arriving back over the last week. we have delivered 289 afghan nationals who have worked for the british government in afghanistan over the years. and in the days that come there will be of further 350 of both british nationals and afghan nationals arriving. so when you focus on that effort on top of that, there is the wider international effort he will have heard others in the council today, we are using our g7 presence to make very clear to the caliban that we will hold them to account for their commitment and never to allow afghanistan to be used for a base for terror, to hold a more inclusive government and to protect the most essential human

rights, including the respect of that the rights of women. haifa rights, including the respect of that the rights of women. how will ou hel that the rights of women. how will you help them _ that the rights of women. how will you help them to _ that the rights of women. how will you help them to account - that the rights of women. how will you help them to account if - that the rights of women. how will you help them to account if we - that the rights of women. how will. you help them to account if we have no presence there?— you help them to account if we have no presence there? well, ultimately, throu~h no presence there? well, ultimately, through working _ no presence there? well, ultimately, through working with _ no presence there? well, ultimately, through working with our— no presence there? well, ultimately, through working with our partners, i through working with our partners, their everything from the sanctions that we can apply to the code that we will hold back, pending reform, and a more inclusive government. i think there are levers, and we know that from the political commission at the caliban that they want tail, they have made a series of commitments. —— taliban. i think it's right for the uk, but it's also critically working with our partners that they are held to the undertakings that they have made. just to go back on some comments that have been made. on just to go back on some comments that have been made. 0njuly eight, borisjohnson said, "i don't think that caliban are capable of victory ljy that caliban are capable of victory by military means." how did the uk government get that so wrong? welcome i think everyone is surprised by the scare and dash scale and pace by which that caliban

had taken over in afghanistan. , thatis had taken over in afghanistan. , that is a lesson that we all have to learn from, but right now we need to focus on getting british nationals out and those who have so loyally served the uk and making sure that the gains that we have made over 20 years are not lost. let's remember, we haven't had a terrorist attack on the uk from afghanistan in 20 years because of uk aid, 10 million more children have been in education, because of uk efforts with others, 8 million more landmines have been cleared. so we have a record that we should not overlook, of course, the priority now is to make sure that the gains are not lost because of the gains are not lost because of the taliban taking control. refugees, how many will the uk take? we are working very carefully, we are a bighearted nation and we have the criteria for asylum, it is set in lock, we work at the un on that. we are working very carefully up with but kind of further commitments

we made to make. can with but kind of further commitments we made to make.— we made to make. can you give us any kind of lsallpark— we made to make. can you give us any kind of ballpark figure? _ we made to make. can you give us any kind of ballpark figure? not _ we made to make. can you give us any kind of ballpark figure? not at - we made to make. can you give us any kind of ballpark figure? not at this - kind of ballpark figure? not at this oint. kind of ballpark figure? not at this point- what _ kind of ballpark figure? not at this point- what do _ kind of ballpark figure? not at this point. what do you _ kind of ballpark figure? not at this point. what do you say _ kind of ballpark figure? not at this point. what do you say to - kind of ballpark figure? not at this| point. what do you say to afghans, because it's — point. what do you say to afghans, because it's a _ point. what do you say to afghans, because it's a pretty _ because it's a pretty desperate situation unfolding in kabul, what would you say to afghans who feel afraid and betrayed by the british government? we afraid and betrayed by the british government?— afraid and betrayed by the british government? afraid and betrayed by the british covernment? ~ . , ., government? we have been there for 20 ears. government? we have been there for 20 years- our — government? we have been there for 20 years. our first _ government? we have been there for 20 years. our first priority, _ government? we have been there for 20 years. our first priority, of - 20 years. 0urfirst priority, of course, is ultimately to the british people. we haven't seen a terrorist attack from afghanistan since 2001. what would you say to them? let’s what would you say to them? let's understand — what would you say to them? let's understand why — what would you say to them? let's understand why we _ what would you say to them? let's understand why we were _ what would you say to them? let�*s understand why we were there in the first place. the second thing i would say is we have worked very hard, huge amounts of british taxpayer money has gone into clearing landmines come into getting children into education, to bringing down the maternal mortality rates, which is almost halved since 2001. those are all games that have been made. of course, the situation on the ground and that taliban take over as a new reality. it is not what we wanted. but we have to deal

with the new reality. we are making it clear with our partners, without the means at our disposal that we will help the taliban to account to its commitments to have a new start in afghanistan. it's clearly not going to be to the values that the uk, the european union, the americans believe that. we can have a moderating influence, and i think it's important that we use all of the policy tools at our disposal, working with our partners to try to achieve that. working with our partners to try to achieve that-— working with our partners to try to achieve that. . ., . . , , ., achieve that. some have accused you of auoin achieve that. some have accused you of going awol— achieve that. some have accused you of going awol during _ achieve that. some have accused you of going awol during this _ achieve that. some have accused you of going awol during this crisis. - of going awol during this crisis. when did you come back from holiday, and should you have come back sooner? this and should you have come back sooner? �* , ., and should you have come back sooner? ~ , ., , and should you have come back sooner? ~ , . , ,. , sooner? as we have 'ust described, eve one sooner? as we have 'ust described, everyone was sooner? as we have just described, everyone was caught _ sooner? as we have just described, everyone was caught by _ sooner? as we have just described, everyone was caught by surprise . sooner? as we have just described, everyone was caught by surprise by| everyone was caught by surprise by the pace and scale of the taliban takeover. i think the important thing to understand is right the way through last week, i was on a flight last night to get back, i have been directly in touch with my team, directing them, which has paid in dividends. you can see what we have delivered with 150 british nationals who will be arriving back in the uk

tomorrow morning. i have been engaged in all the cobra meetings. i'm engaged with our international partners. i talked to the foreign ministerfrom pakistan on partners. i talked to the foreign minister from pakistan on sunday, partners. i talked to the foreign ministerfrom pakistan on sunday, i will be speaking later today with andy lincoln. so whether you are way on travel or the very occasional time you get to go on leave, i can always be in direct control of what the foreign office is doing. just finall , the foreign office is doing. just finally. you _ the foreign office is doing. just finally, you are, _ the foreign office is doing. just finally, you are, from what you say, holding out the possibility of sanctions and future.- holding out the possibility of sanctions and future. well, the . uestion sanctions and future. well, the question of— sanctions and future. well, the question of relief— sanctions and future. well, the question of relief that - sanctions and future. well, the question of relief that the - sanctions and future. well, the i question of relief that the existing sanctions as well, all of the financial means at our disposal will depend on the behaviour of the taliban. so as i said, we will use every means at our disposal. we need to work with our partners, we need to work with our partners, we need to broaden the caucus of countries that are willing to exercise positive influence to reign in what we saw in the past from the taliban and we need to consolidate and try to stabilise the gains which were considerable and we have made with so much blood, sweat and tears and loss of life without last 20 years,

and that is what we are committed to doing stop at the foreign secretary, dominic wrapped speaking in the last few minutes. let's get mark on that from our political correspondence, ione wales. much of the questioning —— summarising the key issues facing the government. -- summarising the key issues facing the government.— the government. let's get us start and those who — the government. let's get us start and those who have _ the government. let's get us start and those who have helped - the government. let's get us start and those who have helped them l the government. let's get us start i and those who have helped them out of the country stop lead that's right. equipment have been stressing over the last 2a hours that that is both getting uk nationals and also afghanistan forces who have assisted us over— afghanistan forces who have assisted us over the _ afghanistan forces who have assisted us over the years in afghanistan. what _ us over the years in afghanistan. what we — us over the years in afghanistan. what we have learned now is a little bit more _ what we have learned now is a little bit more of — what we have learned now is a little bit more of an idea of the scale of that evacuation. we heard earlier today— that evacuation. we heard earlier today from — that evacuation. we heard earlier today from downing street that on saturday _ today from downing street that on saturday and sunday, 370 uk nationals— saturday and sunday, 370 uk nationals and afghan interpreters have been evacuated from the country — have been evacuated from the country. we have a perfumer figures there _ country. we have a perfumer figures there from _ country. we have a perfumer figures there from dominic raab. he said that 150 _

there from dominic raab. he said that 150 mark british nationals are due to _ that 150 mark british nationals are due to be — that 150 mark british nationals are due to be arriving back in the uk in the early— due to be arriving back in the uk in the early hours of tomorrow morning or this _ the early hours of tomorrow morning or this evening, 289 afghans have been _ or this evening, 289 afghans have been evacuated so far, and in the days— been evacuated so far, and in the days to _ been evacuated so far, and in the days to come, friends at 350 brits and afghans are expected to be evacuated. now, just to kin dev give you an _ evacuated. now, just to kin dev give you an idea, — evacuated. now, just to kin dev give you an idea, the uk government have stressed _ you an idea, the uk government have stressed that there are about 4000 uk nationals in the country that need _ uk nationals in the country that need to— uk nationals in the country that need to be evacuated. so if it is only a _ need to be evacuated. so if it is only a couple of hundred that are being _ only a couple of hundred that are being evacuated in the coming days, that obviously does makes —— raise questions _ that obviously does makes —— raise questions about the speed at which this is— questions about the speed at which this is happening, what some of the barriers _ this is happening, what some of the barriers may be still existing. we heard _ barriers may be still existing. we heard earlier from the secretary ben wallace _ heard earlier from the secretary ben wallace that one of the biggest barriers — wallace that one of the biggest barriers is the speed of processing some _ barriers is the speed of processing some of— barriers is the speed of processing some of these evacuations. so there will be _ some of these evacuations. so there will be questions on the speed of the evacuation and also, while, but that they— the evacuation and also, while, but that they are able to evacuate everybody in time. we heard earlier as well— everybody in time. we heard earlier as well from the defence secretary in a rather — as well from the defence secretary in a rather emotional interview that one of— in a rather emotional interview that one of his _ in a rather emotional interview that one of his concerns was that not everybody — one of his concerns was that not everybody would be able to make it out. �* . , everybody would be able to make it out. �* ., , .,, out. asked, and interesting as well that dominic _ out. asked, and interesting as well that dominic raab _ out. asked, and interesting as well

that dominic raab wouldn't - out. asked, and interesting as well that dominic raab wouldn't be - out. asked, and interesting as well i that dominic raab wouldn't be drawn, unless i missed it, and the number of refugees the country might be taking. you and is already saying that all countries must be prepared to take the ball. i that all countries must be prepared to take the ball.— to take the ball. i think that's definitely _ to take the ball. i think that's definitely going _ to take the ball. i think that's definitely going to _ to take the ball. i think that's definitely going to be - to take the ball. i think that's definitely going to be one - to take the ball. i think that's definitely going to be one of. to take the ball. i think that's i definitely going to be one of the questions now facing the uk facing the uk _ questions now facing the uk facing the uk. now, there are questions growing _ the uk. now, there are questions growing on — the uk. now, there are questions growing on the uk government for, as he say, _ growing on the uk government for, as he say, not _ growing on the uk government for, as he say, notjust those uk nationals, notjust— he say, notjust those uk nationals, notjust those afghan he say, notjust those uk nationals, not just those afghan eligible afghan citizens eligible for resettlement in the uk, but also everyday — resettlement in the uk, but also everyday citizens who are fleeing their homes, i think that taliban in afghanistan right now. he wasn't drawn— afghanistan right now. he wasn't drawn on— afghanistan right now. he wasn't drawn on any specific number, but downing _ drawn on any specific number, but downing street did say earlier that over the _ downing street did say earlier that over the coming days, they would be meeting _ over the coming days, they would be meeting with other international leaders — meeting with other international leaders to try to agree a position, saying _ leaders to try to agree a position, saying that — leaders to try to agree a position, saying that we had to have a unified approach _ saying that we had to have a unified approach when it came to accepting refugees, _ approach when it came to accepting refugees, but i think this is certainly— refugees, but i think this is certainly a question that it's going to be _ certainly a question that it's going to be put— certainly a question that it's going to be put to the uk government as well on _ to be put to the uk government as well on wednesday when mps are returning — well on wednesday when mps are returning here to debate this and other— returning here to debate this and other issues as well. all

returning here to debate this and other issues as well.— other issues as well. all right, now, other issues as well. all right, now. thank— other issues as well. all right, now, thank you. _ other issues as well. all right, now, thank you. that - other issues as well. all right, now, thank you. that was - other issues as well. all right, now, thank you. that was the | other issues as well. all right, - now, thank you. that was the latest at westminster. let's stay with some of that, because as we say, there has been that special session of the unc city council this afternoon. it has urged the taliban to exercise maximum restraint to protect lives. antonio guterres urged all countries to be willing to receive afghan refugees. i remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians. and i call on all parties to provide humanitarians with unimpeded access to deliver timely and life—saving services and aid. and i also urge all countries to be willing to receive afghan refugees and refrain from any deportations. mr president, now is the time to stand as one. the international community must be united.

the un secretary—general also addressing that session, the permanent representative of afghanistan to the united nations, ghulam isaczai, called on the un to take immediate action to protect the lives and rights of afghan civilians. there is no time for a blame game any more. we have an opportunity to prevent further violence, prevent afghanistan descending into a civil war and becoming a pariah state. therefore, the security council and the un secretary—general should use every means at its disposal to call for an immediate secession of violence and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. call on the taliban to fully respect the general amnesty offered by them, cease target killing and revenge attacks and abide by humanitarian law. urge that no public institutions and service delivery infrastructure be demolished, including works of art in museums and media institutions.

stress that anyone violating human rights of afghan citizens and international humanitarian law will be held accountable. thatis that is afg hanistan's that is afghanistan's representative to the un. let's hear little bit now from the nobel laureate and pakistani activist malala yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the taliban in 2012 for publicly advocating education for women and girls, has said she is in "complete shock" that the group has taken control of afghanistan. the 24—year—old said she was "deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates" and called for more intervention from world leaders. my hope is that we see stability and peace in afghanistan. i hope that women and girls are safe. we are living in a world where we are talking about advancements, about equality, about gender equality.

we cannot see a country going decades and centuries back. we have to take some bold stances for the protection of women and girls, for the protection of minority groups and for peace and stability in that region. so many people have become internally displaced in afghanistan, so many are becoming refugees, so we actually need immediate help and assistance for them. there's so much to talk about right now, and a lot of us are just deeply depressed about the situation there. we are seeing some shocking images on our screens right now, people are just escaping, they are finding a way to keep themselves safe. so when you see that, you realise that this is actually an urgent humanitarian crisis right now. and you can see more of that

inteview tonight at 10.30pm on newsnight on bbc two. let's stay very much with the issue of the protection of women and girls, the rights of women and girls, the rights of women and girls, particularly indeed all civilians and afghanistan a lot more about that because i'm joined from afghanistan by an mp from that country and joins me on the phone this afternoon. very many thanks for speaking to us on the bbc, and the first thing that people might think watching this programme this afternoon is currently trying to leave your country? that evening. actuall , leave your country? that evening. actually. i'm _ leave your country? that evening. actually, i'm not _ leave your country? that evening. actually, i'm not a _ leave your country? that evening. actually, i'm not a member - leave your country? that evening. actually, i'm not a member of - actually, i'm not a member of parliament any more, i was a member of parliament. for about three years, i am of parliament. for about three years, iamjust

of parliament. for about three years, i am just a housewife. actually, i had the chance and possibility to leave afghanistan, but i really felt sorry for my people and for other women who, like me, don't have families because they lost their male family members in the work. so that's why i decided to be there with them and to support them and to encourage them and to keep them calm and quiet. so this is the reason i came back from europe because i was in europe. and i knew that things were not going well in afghanistan. i came for my people. say you were actually a bride and you decided to return. of course, you decided to return. of course, you have family and friends and our whole life in afghanistan, of course. a lot of people though in

your position with the wherewithal to leave have already done so. so i'm interested in yourfeeling to leave have already done so. so i'm interested in your feeling about that. i i'm interested in your feeling about that. ,., i'm interested in your feeling about that. ., ., , that. i feel bad for all my politicians, _ that. i feel bad for all my politicians, especially - that. i feel bad for all my j politicians, especially our that. i feel bad for all my - politicians, especially our name politicians, especially our name politicians, our presidents, they are gutless people. and they left their own people behind and they went abroad for a safe life, and it's not the kind of good leadership. so the majority of mps in afghanistan have fled, and i think being a good leader doesn't meanjust saving your own think being a good leader doesn't mean just saving your own life. i... they could've stayed with their people, but unfortunately, they have left, and i really feel bad for all of these women, as we all know so many women last male members of

theirfamily, like me. alas my brother, uncle, father, everyone to the work. and now they —— there are thousands of women who don't have a breadwinner. so is it appropriate to just leave them behind? and also, i had a feeling when the prime minister was talking about that he was surprised by that taliban. when a lesson was learned, he said. i think after 20 years if they haven't learned a lesson from i think it's too late, and it's time to be a strong country. i knew the reason why afghan government was surprised, i agree, and i except that in our

politics, there where so many problems, but also, the international community, they didn't do theirjob properly, so both times, they were kind of lazy and theirjob, wrong planning, wrong strategies. i think theyjust made a huge mistake. i cannot call it a mistake, but let's say there was neglect towards afghanistan, but now it is too late to say that i am surprised to.— it is too late to say that i am surprised to. we where you are in the country- _ surprised to. we where you are in the country- i— surprised to. we where you are in the country. i don't _ surprised to. we where you are in the country. i don't want - surprised to. we where you are in the country. i don't want to - surprised to. we where you are in | the country. i don't want to reveal your location for obvious reasons, but are you able to explain what you are seeing, what you are hearing right now? is there evidence of that taliban wherever you are? has anything changed for you and your loved ones in the last days and weeks? �* . . , loved ones in the last days and weeks? a .,y �*,

loved ones in the last days and weeks? n ._ 3 ~ loved ones in the last days and weeks? a .,y �*, ,, ., loved ones in the last days and weeks? a .,y ., ., weeks? actually, it's kind of a horror scene _ weeks? actually, it's kind of a horror scene because - weeks? actually, it's kind of a horror scene because the - weeks? actually, it's kind of a - horror scene because the majority of people, they are afraid of the taliban because of the 90s, but right now, i am in the heart of the city in downtown of the city, and unfortunately, yesterday, some people, they made it look like they were in the taliban, and they stop some cars and they took their cars and they took some houses, but today, and also let me tell you, yesterday, our policeman, they were on the streets, and their posts were empty. so that's i think that happened. the robberies happens, and today, that taliban took over and they are driving around in their ranger cars, and they stop some cars and they were checking them. now it's not crowded on the streets, and

people are walking around or driving around, but i can see many women on the streets, just a few, for example, the lady who works at me, today she was outside. i asked her if she faced any problems, so that's all i can see. there is no gunfire, and also no helicopters in the sky. so, how can i collect?— and also no helicopters in the sky. so, how can i collect? and i have to ask ou, so, how can i collect? and i have to ask you. you _ so, how can i collect? and i have to ask you. you say — so, how can i collect? and i have to ask you, you say they're _ so, how can i collect? and i have to ask you, you say they're not - so, how can i collect? and i have to ask you, you say they're not many l ask you, you say they're not many women out on ask you, you say they're not many women out on the ask you, you say they're not many women out on the streets. ask you, you say they're not many women out on the streets. are ask you, you say they're not many women out on the streets. are you scared? , ., ., ., ,, scared? let me give you a frank answer. scared? let me give you a frank answer- the _ scared? let me give you a frank answer. the other _ scared? let me give you a frank answer. the other problem - scared? let me give you a frank answer. the other problem i - scared? let me give you a frank| answer. the other problem i am scared of, i was scared... i was a member of parliament for the second time and i ran for parliament, i got

to be elected, but it was not an election, and the president said, let's remove elay ershad because she is against us and she is saying negative things about us. actually, these democrats and technocrats shut my mouth, but right now i cannot say much, because it's too early. this is the second day of taking over of taliban, and intel right now, i cannot share my idea, let's see within a week what's going to happen, because... now, icannot say 100%. let's see in a week. and to come to the second part, i'm afraid that no one is on the street, i

think women... as i said, other people, they are on the streets, under the name of taliban, they are creating problems, so that's why women are not. as i heard from taliban, they are going to open schools, and i am not sure. that's all i can say. schools, and i am not sure. that's alli can say-— all i can say. thank you so much ost of all i can say. thank you so much post of elay _ all i can say. thank you so much post of elay ershad _ all i can say. thank you so much post of elay ershad -- _ all i can say. thank you so much post of elay ershad -- elay - post of elay ershad —— elay ershad, i hope we can speak to you in a week or so. thank you so much for giving your time on bbc news, elay ershad, who is a former mp in afghanistan. and i'm sorry, slightly tricky phone like to her, but so important to hear what she was saying, saying that while there are not many women out on the streets, it is still too

early, she says, to know the full impact of the taliban takeover. we are going to talk much more about that the next half an hour, of course. we are just going to pause right now, though, on a busy afternoon. we willjust catch up with all the day's sports news. let's get the latest from jane watson. hi, john. hello, jane. india are on top on the final day and need five wickets to win the second test with england at lords. the day has belonged to the visitors. two early indian wickets this morning had given england a glimmer of hope victory could be theirs. but a 77—run ninth wicket partnership between mohammed shami and jasprit bumrah turned the match, as india declared setting england a target of 272. but both english openers, dom sibley and rory burns,

fell for ducks, england up against it now. india in control. test match special has ball by ball commentary on 5 live sports extra and the bbc sport website, where there are also in—play video highlights. and there's today at the test on bbc two tonight at 7pm. the bristol city women's manager tanya oxtoby has today stepped down from her role after three years in charge. the australian had been on maternity leave since january, and following the birth of her son in march had not returned to the game. the new super league season starts in just under three weeks' time. defending champion primoz roglic has lost his overall lead after day

three of the final grand tour of the year, the vuelta a espana. estonia's rein taaramae was part of an early breakaway on the race's second longest stage and rode to victory at the summit finish. roglic crossed the line alongside britain's adam yates and slipped to third in the overall standings, 30 seconds adrift. meanwhile, mark cavendish will race on home soil for the first time since the tour de france after confirming he'll compete in the tour of britain. the manx sprinter equalled eddy merckx�*s record of 34 tour de france stage wins last month. the race begins in cornwall on september 5. it's been confirmed that spectators will not be allowed at the tokyo paralympic games. as well as stadiums, fans are also requested not to attend road events. the japanese government has proposed expanding and extending the country's state of emergency, due to the ongoing pandemic, with the paralympics beginning a week tomorrow. and finally, a former captain of the afghanistan women's football team says she fears for the safety of her former team—mates and other female athletes in the country. khalida popal, who fled to denmark ten years ago, also helped found the afghan women's football league following the lifting of the ban on women playing sport after the taliban were overthrown 20 years ago.

when i received the messages and voice messages from the players from afghanistan, iam voice messages from the players from afghanistan, i am crying and saying that we are abandoned, and we are just stuck at home where we are not able to get out, and we are too afraid of other things... the dream'sjust gone. it'sjust afraid of other things... the dream's just gone. it's just like a nightmare. ijust kept writing them and saying, please take on your photos from social media, please close down your social media, to have some sort of safety, because your identity, they will not find you. i have taken on the national team account, the twitter account post we've taken down all the accounts, just to make sure that they are protected and the information is not out any more, and that's what we have been doing the

past two days, and this is very sad, because what we are... we did everything possible to be there, and now we are going against what we said. you will be able to hear more from her in sportsday at 6:30pm with olly foster. that is all for me. thank you, john. earlier, my colleague shaun ley spoke to former nato secretary general anders fogh rasmussen, who was in charge from 2009 to 2014. he's been telling us he deeply regrets the return of the taliban. the events in afghanistan undermine the credibility of the west and the world's free societies.

in this case, i think we are witnessing three major mistakes. the first mistake was made by president trump, who agreed on a so—called peace accord with the taliban, declaring that he would leave afghanistan. so obviously the taliban did not have any incentive to engage seriously in those peace negotiations. second mistake was made by president biden, who implemented that agreement and fixed the 31st of august as the date where americans would leave afghanistan, so the taliban could just wait us out. and the third and very serious mistake is our hesitation to help interpreters and other people who have assisted us during our mission in afghanistan. that is really an act that undermines our credibility. denmark was one of those countries that was willing to support

the invasion of afghanistan back in 2001. obviously your involvement but also others in your country, in terms of support, welfare support, support for human rights and so on. what is the view in your country now about afghanistan? is it kind of a part of our past? joe biden talked about, "we cannot fight the wars of 20 years ago, we have to deal with the world as it is now." yeah, well, i think the conclusion in denmark, as i hope it is in many other countries, is, of course, we could not and we should not stay in afghanistan forever. we are not an occupation force. we will leave it to the afghan people to decide the future of afghanistan. however, the problem is the mistakes i mentioned before show the objective is right, but the timing is wrong. we should have told the taliban,

"yes, we will leave, but on the condition that you stop attacking legitimate government in afghanistan and we can be sure that we will leave a peaceful afghanistan to the future of the afghan people." that is how we should have dealt with this. we have very little leverage from outside and without any presence in the country any longer. but what can countries like the uk and your own do now? is it a case of actually having to recognise the taliban government? after all, nobody elected the people now in power, they effectively deposed the outgoing government — not with much resistance, it has to be said — but nonetheless, how should we approach it now? i would caution against a quick recognition of the new government. let's wait, let's see if the taliban has really changed, if we can trust

that they have a new approach. so i would recommend that we wait and see when it comes to recognition of the new government. furthermore, i think we should tell the taliban, "ok, we are ready to help develop afghanistan, including economic assistance, provided that you fulfil your obligations when it comes to international law, respect for human rights, basic freedom and democratic principles. if you fulfil those conditions, we would provide you with help." if not, we should threaten them to withdraw all assistance and not recognise the new government. i think this carrot—and—stick approach would be the most beneficial in the current situation. that is anders fogh rasmussen,

talking to us just a little earlier this afternoon, former secretary general of nato. let's discuss what might happen next, and in particular the us involvement in all of this. let's get more on this and speak to dr leslie vinjamuri, director of the us programme at chatham house. hello, good evening. hello, thank ou for hello, good evening. hello, thank you for having _ hello, good evening. hello, thank you for having me _ hello, good evening. hello, thank you for having me on _ hello, good evening. hello, thank you for having me on the - hello, good evening. hello, thank you for having me on the show. i hello, good evening. hello, thank. you for having me on the show. could ou have you for having me on the show. could you have your— you for having me on the show. could you have your expertise, _ you for having me on the show. could you have your expertise, because i hope you could hear the former secretary general of nato when he talks about how we have got here. he is clearly saying, in his opinion, there were mistakes by successive us administrations. is that what the history books will say, do you think? i history books will say, do you think? ~' , think? i think they will. unfortunately, - think? i think they will. unfortunately, because think? i think they will. i unfortunately, because of think? i think they will. - unfortunately, because of the nature, the execution of this decision to exit, they will be inordinate attention focused on president biden and his decision. a member that that decision to exit was one that has a lot of domestic

support, it also had a lot of dissent within the us foreign policy establishment, many of whom thought there should be a conditions based exit, and that actually the us had gotten to a good place in terms of having a limited number of troops that were managing the conflict, all things being equal. the biting and ministrations video clear the status quo was not sustainable, the taliban were gaining ground —— the biden administration made it clear. they were forced to make a binary choice to escalate or withdraw, but again the focus now will probably be less on president trump's initial decision, which really set this in motion, and bearing much on the humanitarian disaster, the very grave and upsetting consequences for afghans on the ground and the images of the us plane taking off and afghans clinging for help. so much i think will depend now on what happens today, tomorrow and the days

ahead on whether the us commits to taking care of those thousands of afghans who have worked with the us government over so many years, and especially whether the united states and europe and other partners now work effectively together to support the humanitarian situation, to manage the potential for terrorism, to cordate on the question of recognition for sub so many questions, and of course it comes at a time when there will be so... that will make it much harder to see that kind of cooperation tween the united states and its partners. bud kind of cooperation tween the united states and its partners.— states and its partners. and you say that there was _ states and its partners. and you say that there was considerable - states and its partners. and you say l that there was considerable domestic support for the us pull—out. one wonders whether that support will last very long when the full humanitarian situation inevitably unfolds. , ., ., ., unfolds. yes, and again there was dissent within _ unfolds. yes, and again there was dissent within the _ unfolds. yes, and again there was dissent within the foreign - unfolds. yes, and again there was dissent within the foreign policy i dissent within the foreign policy

establishment, many people not wanting to exit, but there was broad public support for ending america's engagement and would have been labelled the forever wars. i think as those images become across the screens, many americans... it caught up screens, many americans... it caught up in involved in this conflict for the past 20 years, many boys and men coming from my home state, nebraska, and all of the country, so there is heightened awareness and people will be watching these images and feeling some sense of relief that it is over but deep devastation at the loss of reputation, and what america is now linked up with, and a deep sense of failure at achieving the objective of maintaining stability and peace and human it's —— humanitarian in afghanistan. -- humanitarian in afghanistan. any failure of —— humanitarian in afghanistan. any failure of intelligence to realise the taliban had the wherewithal to sweep through the country so

swiftly? is that still something thatis swiftly? is that still something that is being debated? it is being debated, there _ that is being debated? it is being debated, there are _ that is being debated? it is being debated, there are many - that is being debated? it is being debated, there are many in - that is being debated? it is being debated, there are many in the l debated, there are many in the intelligence community was say the intelligence community was say the intelligence community was very clear on this, more so than the policy community, and that the policy community, and that the policy committee was not listening. —— policy community. a combination of a policy failure and intelligence failure and, admittedly, an incredibly difficult situation and not one the united states has had the capability to manage. still i think the sense of failure is profound, regardless of how people estimate the prospects for us engagement and the desirability of that. , , , ., ., that. very, very interesting to have our that. very, very interesting to have your thoughts- _ that. very, very interesting to have your thoughts. thank _ that. very, very interesting to have your thoughts. thank you _ that. very, very interesting to have your thoughts. thank you so - that. very, very interesting to have your thoughts. thank you so much. that. very, very interesting to have | your thoughts. thank you so much. i know you're waiting about to speak to us on a very busy newsday, but thank you very much. we really

appreciate your time. thank you. that analysis they are from chatham house from the foreign affairs think tank, just at the end of our conversation there, i was just seeing some comments coming through borisjohnson, saying that, boris johnson, saying that, signalling borisjohnson, saying that, signalling his intention, i should say, to try to host a t7 meeting about the situation in afghanistan, about the situation in afghanistan, a virtual meeting, but nonetheless wanting to bring together leaders to discuss the situation in the country -- g7. discuss the situation in the country —— g7. also he has been talking to president macron, and there is talk of a possiblejoint president macron, and there is talk of a possible joint resolution. those are a few comments that are just coming out of the number ten briefing in the last couple of moments, really, so those are some initial thoughts coming out of westminster. the government says it's confident it can get british nationals out of afghanistan, with plans for hundreds more to leave in the next few days.

they go to raf brize norton, so let's go there. our correspondent sangita myska is at raf brize norton in oxfordshire. what has been happening there? raf brize what has been happening there? izjli brize norton what has been happening there? i1j5.i brize norton as what has been happening there? i1}.i brize norton as you know is the home transport operations for the raf. what that means is flights taking off from here are aiming to land at kabul airport, off from here are aiming to land at kabulairport, in off from here are aiming to land at kabul airport, in order that they can airlift out the people that have the right to come here and be safe. we have been getting in the last few minutes more details about how many people they have been able to airlift. last night was cife like commen with 370 british nationals. what we are now hearing is either tonight or tomorrow morning, a further 150 british nationals will arrive here at brize norton, but i want to give you some context also we've also been told there are proximally 4000 people waiting to be evacuated that have the right

potentially to come here. that includes british nationals, diplomatic staff, charity workers, people like interpreters who may be able to relocate if they are eligible under the government's relocation scheme, and that also includes people who are now part of the afghan special forces. the special forces were trained by the british and by the americans, that means they will be high on the target list for the taliban. the defence secretary ben wallace this morning put a two week timeline on getting those people out and i think people tonight will be questioning just how realistic that timeline actually is. so what carriers are going to be used? they're going to be voyageurs, c—17, hercules and atlas planes that have already left careful sub defence sources, they are already part in the region, ready to go. however, they cannot currently land. why? because kabul airport is in fact a commercial

airport. agar mayor —— bagram airbase hill last week. because the government forces were not able to hold it against the taliban. that means kabul airport is effectively requisitioned by the americans and the british possible we saw were those extremely disturbing pictures of afghan citizens raking through the american parameters and trying to cling on to a military flight as it took off, trying to evacuate american citizens. that was extremely distressing. we know afghan citizens clean onto that aircraft then fell off and died. the sources i have been speaking to here at the aria for saying they absolutely do not want to see those scenes replicated on british flights as a result, they are saying they be possible for flights to land in kabul in the next few hours. it will not be safe for them to take off, so this is an

ongoing operation, it has been watching truly carefully by the raf, the moment it is safe, they will resumed their operations to airlift british nationals and those eligible to be relocated out of kabul. think ou to be relocated out of kabul. think you missed. _ to be relocated out of kabul. think you missed, thank _ to be relocated out of kabul. think you missed, thank you, _ to be relocated out of kabul. think you missed, thank you, at - to be relocated out of kabul. think you missed, thank you, at raf brize norton —— sangita myska. there will be much more on afghanistan, but now we move to other stories here. here, a minute's silence has been held in plymouth, to remember the five people shot dead last week. the home office is asking police forces in england and wales to review the way they deal with firearms applications in the wake of the mass shooting. devon and cornwall police are being investigated as to why jake davison was allowed to have his shotgun back injuly, after his licence had been revoked. sarah ransome reports. a minute to remember and reflect. bell tolls

across the city, people fell silent this morning in memory of those who died in the mass shooting last week. three—year—old sophie martyn and her dad lee, kate shepherd, stephen washington and maxine davison all died at the hands of the gunmanjake davison. in the park next to where the shootings happened, people paused in a moment of collective grief. it's been really hard, i think we're all still in shock at what's happened, aren't we? it's been a very quiet place for the last few days, it has been very sombre. people have been very respectful and very kind to each other and very compassionate. everyone seems to knowj everybody and it just felt like the right thing to do to come

here to pay my respects to - the victims that lost their lives, and obviously the ones that - are still in hospital as well. community leaders also paid tribute to the five who died. at the moment, keyham is grieving. we grieve because we love. grief is love. we are in shock, feel guilty and angry about the events surrounding the deaths of our beloved community members because we love. plymouth is a place where people stand together during dark times. i hope and believe that we will get through the difficult times that lie ahead as we try to come to terms with this dreadful loss by continuing to support each other. questions still remain on why jake davison had a shotgun and how his licence was returned last month after an allegation of assault a few months ago. jake davison lived here in biddick drive. the decision to hand him back his licence is under investigation by the police watchdog.

in the light of what happened last week, the home office is now reviewing the way all gun permits are granted for forces throughout england and wales. today, though, was a day to focus on the victims. this community says it may be bowed but not broken. sarah ransome, bbc news, plymouth. people in england and northern ireland who've had both covid jabs no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone with the virus. the change has already been introduced in scotland and wales. our business correspondent emma simpson reports on the difference the new rules will make. here's a place that should be doing a roaring trade with afternoon teas, but this hotel in sutton coldfield's had to scale back, as its staff keep getting pinged. well, normally this restaurant would be buzzing at lunchtime, but we have had to close it, we have had to close our fine dining restaurant, we have closed all our food outlets during the day.

a business trying to keep the plates spinning in the midst of a staycation boom. we found ourselves, a week last sunday, with virtually no kitchen staff. everybody was having to self—isolate. we went down from probably ten to 12 chefs down to two. i suppose today can't come soon enough? absolutely, it can't come soon enough. it will make such a huge difference. at one point, more than 500,000 people were getting pinged a week, causing huge disruption for all sorts of businesses. but with three—quarters of adults fullyjabbed, the government says now�*s the right time to relax the rules, another huge step back to normality. from today, people in england and northern ireland who are fully vaccinated no longer have to self—isolate, if they come into close contact with a positive case. instead, you'll be advised to take a pcr test.

if its positive, you will still have to isolate for ten days. even though they're not vaccinated, the new rules will also apply to under—18s. scotland and wales have already made similar changes. it's all welcome news for parents during the drop—off at this london nursery. every time you leave your house, you have that sort of latent sense of dread that you might walk past somebody, you know, not even be that close to them, and thenjust get the dreaded ping and have to stay at home. it's very reassuring, i think. yeah, the ability to not have to worry if you get pinged, i and just kind of get a test and see what happens. i nursery manager alethea agrees it's helpful, but the changes won't solve all the problems in this sector. if you have a nursery where only half the staff have had a single jab, it will still mean closures, bubble closures. and, as it is at the moment, there is a shortage of early—year workers. so it would be better

if we can all have the jab, so that the business can continue to run. today, though, is still a big shift in the rules. and many will drink to that. emma simpson, bbc news, sutton coldfield. the news at six with reeta chakrabarti. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. how we missed most of this rain and lords today, i do not know. there's been a fair bit of sunshine today. those clearest guys have been filtering their way southwards across some northern and eastern parts of england, but even we have had the sunshine, still not that one for this time of the year, and

further west where we have seen on that cloud continuing... a bit more rain and drizzle back in from the northwest, some missed and some fogged over the hills and western areas, a mild night, yes, and it will be milder in the northwest of scotland. this is the weather pattern for tuesday. this is the wind flow around it. it is taking a long track, picking up this moisture, hence all the cloud in the forecast, and within that northwesterly airflow, these what difference or bring the rain overnight. that will still be around here and there. the worst of this rain will probably tend to move away, still living with some damp weather here and there, they will brighten up a bit towards the west country and for eastern parts of scotland as well with some sunshine post of these areas have been more sheltered from that. make it feel on the chilly side, under the cloud, many of us will be under the cloud, temperatures typically 17 or 18 degrees. some sunshine, 21 or 20

-- 2021 is —— 2021 is possible. wednesday, still have got that northwesterly airstream, centring at a premium. good chance it will be dry. the winds dropping it to the day as well, so are you to get some sunshine but it would just feel a little bit warmer. as we move toward the latter part of the week, instead of high pressure in the southwest, we have got these for the front coming in from the atlantic. at first when they will bring some thicker cloud, some operates and bring his words, across southern england, wales, the midlands, tourist east anglia. no greater amount of rain. still could be some patchy rain left in the northern half of scotland. those temperatures still below par for the time of year, around 17—20 c.

panic at kabul airport, as afghans try to flee the taliban, who are now in control right across the country. desperate people attempt to hang on to a us military plane sent to evacuate us nationals. a fraught crush in the scramble to escape. reports say several people died at the airport in the mayhem. here, britons back home last night on an raf flight — the defence secretary was choked when he admitted not everyone potentially at risk would be brought back. it's a really deep part of regret for me. look, some people won't get back. some people won't get back, and we will have to do our best in third countries to process those people. president biden is due to address the us

nation this evening, after widespread criticism