this is bbc news i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8 o'clock: the taliban gives its first news conference — two days after taking control of afghanistan — saying women would have rights within sharia law and insisting there would be no reprisals against people who'd worked for western nations. i reassure all internationals, the un, all embassies, our neighbours that we will not be allowing the soil of afghanistan be used against anybody. there's been a cautious international response — the united nations said it would need to see the promises reflected in terms of action on the ground. the evacuation has continued — tonight, the white house said it was negotiating an evacuation "timetable" with the taliban after they promised to provide "safe passage" to civilians to the airport.

the uk says its evacuation programme in afghanistan is "operating at full pace" and the british government is planning to launch a new resettlement scheme for afghan refugees. in our other main news tonight, rebuilding after the pandemic — the latest official figures show record job vacancies as the uk economy rebounds. the uk regulator has approved moderna coronavirus vaccine for 12—17—year—olds. in haiti, first the earthquake, now the storm, the aid agencies battling nature to help those in need and astronomers have captured some of the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies in deep space.

good evening and welcome to bbc news. 20 years after being driven out of afghanistan the taliban leadership is back in the country they once ruled with such brutality. in the first public statement on afghan soil the taliban said their territory would no longer be used to export terror — remember that was the reason the international coalition invaded the country after the 9—11 attacks on america. at a news conference in kabul — spokesman zabihullah mujahid addressed reporters — insisting there would be no reprisals against people who'd worked for western nations; media freedoms would be protected; and women would enjoy rights "within sharia" law.

he added "we do not want to have any problems with the international community." in other developments, military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians have re—started at kabul�*s airport. the uk's evacuation programme in afghanistan is "operating at full pace" — says the vice admiral sir ben key, who is in charge of the uk evacuation. britain aims to bring out between 6000 and 7000 people from afghanistan. the us says it's planning to evacuate up to 9,000 passengers, per day. the pentagon said, the taliban has not interfered with the us evacuation efforts out of kabul. local reports today showed the streets of kabul quiet,

on the second full day of taliban rule. militants are out in force, manning checkpoints across the city. the bbc�*ss chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, reports. the republic has fallen, its leaders fled. taliban rule is returning. day by day, its fighters more visible on the streets of kabul, patrolling with us military vehicles left behind or lost by government forces. taking on tasks to show they are in charge now, and showing the new face of afghanistan to the world. today the first press conference by a man who's long been a mystery, taliban spokesman zabiola mujahit, showing his face in public for the first time — making their message clear. translation: there is death in war, i we didn't kill for revenge, itjust. happened because it was a war

that we were fighting. - we have given amnesty to everybody, | we want them to give us forgiveness. | and a message for anxious afghan women too. - translation: there will be nothing against women in our ruling, - our people accept our- women are muslims, they accept islamic rules. if they continue to live according to sharia, we will be happy, - they will be happy. day by day, afghans come to terms with the taliban again, waiting not for words, but what will change in their lives. let's see what afghanistan brings, i want to stay here, i want to fight for my students, i want to fight for our vision of afghanistan. i know things are never going to be the same any more. it'sjust...| have to be here. and so far, some surprises. female presenters are still fronting

popular news programmes — a talib taking her questions. but many fear it is a shiny, new show for now. women are already taking to the streets. "we exist," they shout, "work, education, political participation is our right." "women make up half of afghan society, don't upset us," they tell the taliban, "be our voice." with fighting finished, time for fun too, taliban style. not the usual image of austere islamists, but it may be but a brief pause before new rules come into force. look atjust one snapshot of how many people — afghans and foreigners — are fleeing as fast as possible. the evacuation from kabul airport proceeds ever more urgently, including britain's operations.

there was bound to be a moment of turmoil in that system. i think, actually, what is really impressive is that in a very, very short period we have moved forward now into something that looks stable and that we can continue to move on. the taliban are promising stability too, and a government that is different this time round. their words have changed. many wait to see what they really mean. lyse doucet, bbc news. bringing you the latest means by the reuters news agency reporting that the un human rights council are to hold a special session on august the 24th so that is a week from today. a special session to discuss the situation in afghanistan at the request of pakistan supported by 90 countries. so a special session to

be held by the un human rights council to discuss their situation in afghanistan at the request of pakistan. we will have more on that as the details and who also will be taking part impact. we understand expense appointed by merely 90 countries. —— it's been for tag by merely 90 countries. around the world, the dizzying speed with which the taliban have retaken afghanistan is being blamed on presidentjoe biden�*s decision to withdaw us troops so quickly. last night, the president defended his policy, arguing that he didn't want any more americans to die in a war that afghan forces themselves were not willing to fight. 0ur north america editor, jon sopel, is in washington. the speech last night said echoing harry truman that the buck stops here except it should have been that the buck would stop here if i had done anything wrong but i have not and he blamed the afghan military and he blamed afghan politicians and he blamed donald trump for all that has gone wrong in the past.

i think what has been striking today is the extent to which the american leadership are trying to put themself on the front foot by saying that that all we are doing and we have got hourly flights coming out of afghanistan and we have got 4000 troops patrolling the afghan airbase and we are going to get seven to 9000 people out of afghanistan in the course of the coming days. so that is what america is trying to do. butjoe biden went to the american people promising empathy, promising competence. 0n empathy, you would have to say it's a pretty hard message that he delivered yesterday to the afghans who had helped america over the past 20 years and as for competence, even the most die—hard supporter ofjoe biden would struggle to say that this has been anything other than chaotic. he likes to say america is back but back how exactly? and that you a big question after these past chaotic few days.

i'm joined now byjohn bolton, former national security adviser to donald trump. thank you for speaking to us on bbc news. what do you make of what is actually taking place in afghanistan? i actually taking place in afghanistan?— actually taking place in afghanistan? i think it is a catastrophe. _ afghanistan? i think it is a catastrophe. i— afghanistan? i think it is a catastrophe. ithink- afghanistan? i think it is a catastrophe. i think the i afghanistan? i think it is a - catastrophe. i think the decision to withdraw american and nato forces is going to have negative consequences first by the people of afghanistan but secondly for citizens of the united states, europe, and elsewhere that very much fear in the months ahead are going to be threatened by ahead are going to be threatened by a renewal of terrorist activity by isis, al-qaeda and others given sanctuary in afghanistan by the new taliban rulers.— sanctuary in afghanistan by the new taliban rulers. what did you make of president biden's _ taliban rulers. what did you make of president biden's defence _ taliban rulers. what did you make of president biden's defence of- taliban rulers. what did you make of president biden's defence of their i president biden�*s defence of their decision? i president biden's defence of their

decision? ., ., , decision? i thought it was incoherent _ decision? i thought it was incoherent i _ decision? i thought it was incoherent i suppose - decision? i thought it was incoherent i suppose that| decision? i thought it was l incoherent i suppose that is decision? i thought it was - incoherent i suppose that is the most polite way to put it. on the one hand he says i was tied by the agreement that donald trump made although he's broken other agreements donald trump made and he tried to get back into the iran nuclear deal that trump got out of. i think ironically in this case biden�*s view of the withdraw of military forces from afghanistan and trump's view of the withdraw of military forces from afghanistan was exactly the same. they are to be ill be an tweedledum on that point. the second issue is how the actual withdrawal was carried out and their pictures on television give a very graphic indication it is not going well. ., ., ., ~ ., graphic indication it is not going well. ., ., m ., ., well. you have worked and operated at the highest _ well. you have worked and operated at the highest echelons _ well. you have worked and operated at the highest echelons of _ well. you have worked and operated at the highest echelons of power. i at the highest echelons of power. you say that it was not done well. how should it have been done? what was the plan? i how should it have been done? what was the plan?— was the plan? i would not have done it. that is was the plan? i would not have done it- that is the _ was the plan? i would not have done it. that is the short _ was the plan? i would not have done it. that is the short answer - was the plan? i would not have done it. that is the short answer but - was the plan? i would not have done it. that is the short answer but if - it. that is the short answer but if you are going to do it, there has to be some better indication of careful

planning. there is always uncertainty. butjust one piece of evidence of the lack of planning was that all 2500 current us military personnel in afghanistan were evacuated. bhagwan airbase was given back to the afghan national army and within a few weeks we have had to put nearly 7000 american military forces back in two withdraw the civilian personnel at the embassy and interpreters and other afghan nationals who with us. that is not a plan, that is chaos. ice nationals who with us. that is not a plan, that is chaos.— plan, that is chaos. joe biden yesterday _ plan, that is chaos. joe biden yesterday said _ plan, that is chaos. joe biden yesterday said that _ plan, that is chaos. joe biden yesterday said that they - plan, that is chaos. joe biden yesterday said that they were plan, that is chaos. joe biden - yesterday said that they were clear eyed about the risk and plan for every contingency. was that true? was that plan for from the beginning? i'm not talking about the biden administration i'm talking about when the us and uk first went into afghanistan. was there a plan? where all contingencies put in place? i where all contingencies put in lace? ., �* ~'

where all contingencies put in lace? ., �* ~ ., where all contingencies put in lace? ., �* 4' ., , where all contingencies put in lace? ~ ., , ., place? i don't think that is what joe biden place? i don't think that is what joe biden was — place? i don't think that is what joe biden was referring - place? i don't think that is what joe biden was referring to. - place? i don't think that is what joe biden was referring to. i - place? i don't think that is what l joe biden was referring to. i think joe biden was referring to. i think he was referring to the withdraw but when we went in it was by the strategic purpose of overthrowing the taliban and removing the threat that al-qaeda at that time posed for us. we then stay for a second and i think very important strategic reason which was to make sure that the taliban did not come back on that isis or other newer terrorist groups did not come into the picture and threaten us with terrorist attacks. a lot of other objectives were added that were not critical to eight and have come under considerable criticism. but you cannot plan all the contingencies forever. this is not a wire brought to us by the radical ideologues of islamic terrorism and that wire has not ended, they have not motivated, the threat remains, and that's why the threat remains, and that's why the decision to withdraw military forces from afghanistan i believe is

a serious mistake.— forces from afghanistan i believe is a serious mistake. what do you make of former president _ a serious mistake. what do you make of former president trump's - of former president trump's unilateral decision not to involve allies in the agreement that he made with the taliban? i allies in the agreement that he made with the taliban?— with the taliban? i think that agreement — with the taliban? i think that agreement and _ with the taliban? i think that agreement and the _ with the taliban? i think that i agreement and the involvement with the taliban? i think that - agreement and the involvement of secretary of state pompeo will be on both their reputation permanently. they did not involve the government of afghanistan either. that is the signal to the taliban that they were facing a weak administration in donald trump and i can they based week administration injoe biden as well. i seriously don't think they're going to disrupt the evacuation. why should they? the power they have sought to grasp for 20 years it is within reach and it would be very foolish to disrupt at this point. but that shows their patients, and no indication of how they will behave once we are gone.

$2.26 trillion is what the us bank in afghanistan. you said that you would not have implemented this evacuation. what would you have done? what would be the alternative? your number of $2.26 trillion is not even remotely close to what the actual figure was. even remotely close to what the actualfigure was. i even remotely close to what the actual figure was.— even remotely close to what the actual figure was. i got that figure from brown _ actual figure was. i got that figure from brown university _ actual figure was. i got that figure from brown university but - actual figure was. i got that figure from brown university but if- actual figure was. i got that figure from brown university but if you l from brown university but if you know that frankly would like to know. i know that frankly would like to know. ~ ., know that frankly would like to know. ~' ., . , know that frankly would like to know. ~ ., ., , know. i know that they care, it includes interest _ know. i know that they care, it includes interest on _ know. i know that they care, it includes interest on the - know. i know that they care, it i includes interest on the national debt. it's a completely made up they did. we spent a lot, there is no doubt about it and some of it was wasted. there is no doubt about that. the essential decision for any american president should be what is aimed at strategic interests of the united states to protect our people? and threats can go on for a very long time. the threat of communism after world war ii lasted 45 years. we have still got troops around europe today because it's in our

collective interest to do that. and i think that's the kind of decision that we have to make if you want to protect their people. it will be costly. that's part of international reality these days. there is a lot of talk about the likes of the us and the uk using the proceeds. it is and the uk using the proceeds. it is a case of and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran are and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran are now and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran are now looking and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran are now looking on and the geopolitics of russia, china, iran are now looking on very closely at afghanistan. flit china, iran are now looking on very closely at afghanistan.— closely at afghanistan. of course the are, closely at afghanistan. of course they are. and — closely at afghanistan. of course they are, and it _ closely at afghanistan. of course they are, and it is _ closely at afghanistan. of course they are, and it is to _ closely at afghanistan. of course they are, and it is to our - they are, and it is to our detriment. when you talk about reputation and prestige, you are talking about influence and leverage. you are talking about deterrent capability. if our reputation is that people don't harm us dust harm us and get away with it cost free, that's very valuable

because... that's why this withdrawal is so tragic, it puts us potentially exactly where we were before september 11, 2001, the return of al-qaeda and other terrorist groups right back in the same threatening environment. iran on my final question is about us intelligence and foreign policy. there has been so much about how quickly this took place. president biden admitted to it. and was shocked at the speed with which this has happened. what does that say about intelligence on new terroristic groups? you mentioned the possibility of them and where they are. the possibility of them and where the are. . , ., ., they are. intelligence is far from erfect. they are. intelligence is far from perfect- there — they are. intelligence is far from perfect. there is _ they are. intelligence is far from perfect. there is no _ they are. intelligence is far from perfect. there is no doubt - they are. intelligence is far from perfect. there is no doubt aboutj perfect. there is no doubt about that and you live in a world where you have to act inevitably on incomplete information. i think probably there will be evidence of intelligence failure here. and i think one of the main concerns is

joe biden and his administration and their wishful thinking. joe biden and his administration and their wishful thinking.— their wishful thinking. thank you for our their wishful thinking. thank you for your time. _ despite the assurances we heard from the taliban today, many thousands of afghans are desperate to leave the country. today, the foreign secretary dominic raab said the government here would bring forward plans for a resettlement scheme for refugees �*in due course'. here's our political correspondent alex forsyth. this is the push to get people out. hundreds of troops are helping evacuate british nationals and afghans who helped foreign forces. not everyone is eligible for a place on these planes and those left behind may try to make their own way out. that is what massoud, which is not his real name, date. three years ago, just 16, he fled afghanistan when the taliban threatened his family.

he said the illegal route was his only option, travelling on foot, in lorries and with people smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and sticks. you can't talk with them, they will just be you. how do you feel now if your family are still in afghanistan? i don't have contact with my mum and sister. you don't know where they are. when i see the news everyday, bomb blast, the taliban, fighting, i am very scared about what is happening, if they are alive or not. with more refugees expected, the government has promised a plan to help. we are a big hearted nation and we have always, as i know from my own history, as priti patel knows from hers, has always been a country that has provided a safe haven for those fleeing persecution. this is fresh in many minds, the influx of refugees from syria that became a political point of tension. some 20,000 were settled in the uk, a similar scheme is expected for afghanistan.

there is no detail yet. other countries have pledged to take thousands and there is pressure here to come up with a fair, control system. is there a plan, a strategy, for safe and legal routes for refugees to come out of afghanistan? how quickly can that be put in place? we need to show leadership and i am asking borisjohnson to recognise we need to have a generosity of spirit and we need to make it clear that those who are vulnerable will have a welcome here. we should open our doors, i we need a reset of our foreign policy when it comes - to migration and i hope we hear that tomorrow. tomorrow parliament has been called back from its summer break. the prime minister is expected to set out more detail of his plan. the government says its immediate focus is to evacuate british nationals and eligible afghans, then setting up a system for refugees. borisjohnson was to convene a meeting of world leaders. the foreign secretary is talking about extra humanitarian aid.

but ministers acknowledge they were caught out by the pace of events in afghanistan and now there is a sense of having to scramble to respond. with so much at stake for so many there are few simple solutions at this point, though plenty are looking to the government for some answers. i'm nowjoined by lord peter ricketts, britain's former national security adviser and served as chair of the joint intelligence committee under tony blair. i would like to ask very quickly the first question. where would you put the security threat at the moment and there is security within afghanistan and the region? i think a security threat _ afghanistan and the region? i think a security threat in _ afghanistan and the region? i think a security threat in afghanistan - afghanistan and the region? i think a security threat in afghanistan is l a security threat in afghanistan is significantly worse now with the taliban taking control. we have all

heard the reassuring noises from the very practised taliban spokesman but what really matters is what's going on out of the public eye in the regions, in the rural areas, where zealots will be moving into positions of power and influence and i worry that as soon as the is afghanistan, we will begin to hear the same sort of reports of atrocities and killings as we heard in the past. let's see and let's hope for the best.— in the past. let's see and let's hope for the best. in the past. let's see and let's hoefor the best. ~ ., .,~ hope for the best. what did you make ofthat hope for the best. what did you make of that taliban _ hope for the best. what did you make of that taliban speaking _ hope for the best. what did you make of that taliban speaking today - of that taliban speaking today seeking to assure afghans and the world that they were going to create a safe country? i world that they were going to create a safe country?— a safe country? i think you could exect a safe country? i think you could expeet that _ a safe country? i think you could expect that taliban _ a safe country? i think you could expect that taliban in _ a safe country? i think you could expect that taliban in their - a safe country? i think you could expect that taliban in their first | expect that taliban in their first days and weeks in office to send that to be assuring signal. they want the western evacuation to be complete so there is no more effective western president and they want to reassure afghan civilians but everything depends on what happens in two weeks and months ahead and there, history is not very

encouraging. you ahead and there, history is not very encouraging-— ahead and there, history is not very encouraging. you sound as if you are exectin: encouraging. you sound as if you are expeeting history _ encouraging. you sound as if you are expecting history to _ encouraging. you sound as if you are expecting history to repeat _ encouraging. you sound as if you are expecting history to repeat itself. . expecting history to repeat itself. what sort of futurity you for afghanistan? it’s what sort of futurity you for afghanistan?— what sort of futurity you for afuhanistan? �*, ., ., , ., afghanistan? it's want to repeat itself in exactly _ afghanistan? it's want to repeat itself in exactly the _ afghanistan? it's want to repeat itself in exactly the same - afghanistan? it's want to repeat itself in exactly the same way i afghanistan? it's want to repeat l itself in exactly the same way but when we hear talk of sharia law being reimposed and that leaves a great deal of margin for manoeuvre among those who are taking power. so, i think the outcry over the months and years is much darker in afghanistan now. they will be a competition for influence as well among the regional powers. we have already seen china, russia, iran, pakistan, they all want to exercise their influence in afghanistan and it's likely to be a pretty unstable period. it's likely to be a pretty unstable eriod. ~ . , . it's likely to be a pretty unstable eriod. ~ ., , ., | it's likely to be a pretty unstable i period-_ i think period. what will they gain? i think because america _ period. what will they gain? i think because america has _ period. what will they gain? i think because america has left _ because america has left in conditions of chaos that leaves a vacuum of influence. afghanistan is in a very strategic position. china is trying to reinforce its position right across the indo pacific area

and they already have a close relationship with pakistan. i think they would want to extend their grip into afghanistan and they will see that as in their strategic advantage and aching iran, the countries to the north of afghanistan will be worried about the refugee flow and displaced people and the load that were there and russia is always looking to exploit american weakness so all of them might have an interest in playing more of a rewarding afghanistan the future. did the allies achieve anything in afghanistan?— did the allies achieve anything in aft hanistan? .,, ., , afghanistan? those who served in the milita and afghanistan? those who served in the military and civilians _ afghanistan? those who served in the military and civilians worked _ afghanistan? those who served in the military and civilians worked with - military and civilians worked with enormous courage, loyalty, and commitment of 20 years. but it is really heartbreaking to see that at the end of that we are back where we were for the taliban government in power. and what one can say is that a whole generation of afghan men and women have had education because of the western presence and health care has improved. are those all going to

be lost? why will there be a section of the population who will find ways of the population who will find ways of building a better afghanistan in years to come? i do not know. we cannot answer that. that will be the only hope. cannot answer that. that will be the onl ho e. ., ' . cannot answer that. that will be the onl hoe. ., ' . ., cannot answer that. that will be the onl hoe. ., '. ., , only hope. how difficult or easy is it to gather— only hope. how difficult or easy is it to gather intelligence _ only hope. how difficult or easy is it to gather intelligence in - only hope. how difficult or easy is it to gather intelligence in that. it to gather intelligence in that particular part of the region and the threat with afghanistan is that it will once again become a safe haven for terrorism. what sort of backflip does that put us on? i myself i'm less worried about afghanistan terrorism because the taliban went through the lesson in 2001 of allowing al-qaeda to attack america from the territory of afghanistan and they paid the consequences. america came down on them very hard and they were pushed out of office and they have been at war for 20 years so out of office and they have been at warfor 20 years so i don't think they're going to be looking to allow terrorism against the west. but in answer to question of intelligence,

it's very striking that western intelligence agencies don't seem to have understood how well—prepared the taliban were, how well equipped, how ready to make this final push and surprise everyone and of course morale cracked into afghan authorities once president biden announced that very rapid withdrawal but even so i think it shows the difficulty of understanding what is really going on under the surface and what the trends are in a country like afghanistan. it sounds like the intelligence community missed some very important warning factors about how the taliban are preparing. the taliban themselves said or rather the spokesman today said that we have learned a lot. they are telling the world we learn from experience and we are different. what have they learned? he said they learned not to attack the west, what else can they —— can we expect from them? they feel now that they have been victorious after 20 years at war against the worlds military superpower. 50 against the worlds military sunerpower-— against the worlds military su--erower. j ., ., , superpower. so they're going to be

very optimistic _ superpower. so they're going to be very optimistic and _ superpower. so they're going to be very optimistic and sure _ superpower. so they're going to be very optimistic and sure about - superpower. so they're going to be | very optimistic and sure about their own capacity. and i hope they have learnt that if they're going to rule effectively and win some degree of consent from the population then they have to be a bit more flexible and show some compromise in their traditional hardline islamist traditional ha rdline islamist approach traditional hardline islamist approach to society issues and the role of women and so on. i do not know whether they have got that flexibility but it must be in their interest as opposed to build some kind of a wider, more inclusive way of governing and afghanistan rather than to see a return to tribal violence as has often been the case in the past but we would have to see whether this is a new, more pragmatic afghanistan or not. i suppose when it comes to intelligence and security and natural resources within the country are clear. we have seen this across the world over time. how are the taliban likely to fund and gather —— govern afghanistan? they say if we

are to control the drugs and we expect help from the international community meaning give us the money and we will control it. i community meaning give us the money and we will control it.— and we will control it. i think the 're and we will control it. i think they're going to _ and we will control it. i think they're going to be - and we will control it. i think they're going to be looking l and we will control it. i think| they're going to be looking to countries like china for the funding and perhaps pakistan as well. they will not be able to do it without foreign assistance but i think chinese assistance will come with a different set of packages of conditions and that has been the case with the west. the chinese will want access to afghanistan's very rich natural raw materials and pakistan has a strong political interest as well. so they will find that their foreign sponsors are going to be taking an active interest in what the payoff of helping afghanistan and how they're going to rule and we will see whether they are as disciplined as they seem to have been in recent weeks or whether when they are in power the old problems of governance of tribal division, of corruption, of tribal division, of corruption, of warlords come back. that is the

threat they face now.— of warlords come back. that is the threat they face now. thank you very much. threat they face now. thank you very much- you — threat they face now. thank you very much- you are _ threat they face now. thank you very much. you are watching _ threat they face now. thank you very much. you are watching bbc- threat they face now. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. l much. you are watching bbc news. coming up, we will find out the latest developments on the situation in afghanistan that will be covered in afghanistan that will be covered in tomorrow's front pages. 11:30pm will be i would look at the papers. joining me tonight the author and journalist jasmine brown and the chief political correspondent at the times. here is the weather. we had seen some sunshine in a few places today and in scotland temperatures reached 23 degrees. in many parts of the uk in the next few days there will be cloudiness. temperatures will be lower than they should be at this time of year. there is a chance of some rain from time to time. they will be some drizzle over the hills as we see the cloudiness with mist. that blanket of cloudiness with the temperatures around 12, 1a degrees similar to what we had last night. there is some rain coming

into northern parts of mainland scotland. the rest of scotland should see cloudiness and sunshine coming through. it will be dull elsewhere. the cloudiness lifting and the skies will brighten and they will be some sunshine here and there. there is a northwesterly breeze feeding in cool air although the wind will ease into the day and with more brightness we should see temperatures up to 20 or 21 celsius. hello, this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. the headlines... the taliban gives its first news conference two days after taking control of afghanistan, saying women would have rights within sharia law, and insisting there would be no reprisals against people who'd worked for western nations.

translation: i reassure| all internationals, the un, all embassies, our neighbours, that we will not be allowing the soil of afghanistan to be used against anybody. there's been a cautious international response — the united nations said it would need to see the promises reflected in terms of action on the ground. the un human rights council is said to hold a special the un human rights council is said to hold a specia— the un human rights council is said to hold a specia the evacuation has continued — tonight, the white house said it was negotiating an evacuation "timetable" with the taliban after they promised to provide "safe passage" to civilians to the airport. the uk says its evacuation programme in afghanistan is"operating at full pace" and the british government is planning to launch a new resettlement scheme for afghan refugees. in our other main news tonight — the latest official figures show record job vacancies as the uk economy rebounds.

the uk regulator has approved moderna coronavirus vaccine for 12—17—year—olds. in haiti, first the earthquake, now the storm. the aid agencies battling nature to help those in need. and astronomers have captured some of the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies in deep space. the taliban have publicly declared their authority over afghanistan for the first time since entering kabul on sunday. the organisation's spokesman, zabihullah mujahid, told a news conference that the country wouldn't return to being a base for terrorism. and he insisted that women would continue to be able to work, study, and be actively involved in society — as long as they complied with sharia law.

translation: the issue of women is a very important issue. _ the islamic emirate believes that we have rights for women in islam. all our sisters, all our women are secure. our god, our kuran says that women are a very important part of our society. they can work, they can get education. they are needed in our society, and they will be actively involved. if the international community's worried about these issues, we will tell them there will be nothing against women in our ruling. -- quran. our people accept our women are muslims, they accept islamic rules. if they continue to live according

to sharia, we will be happy and they will be happy. well, we can speak to salma zulfiqar, a human rights activist who's worked for the un and now runs an arts charity which promotes women's rights for refugees, including those from afghanistan. she visited the country both before the taliban came to power and after the us—led invasion in 2001. salma was last in aghanistan in 2017, but has been monitoring the reaction of women and girls on social media in the run—up to the taliban take—over in recent days. thank you forjoining us this evening. can ijust get your thoughts on what's happened over the past 9—10 days? yes. thoughts on what's happened over the past 9-10 days?— past 9-10 days? yes, thank you and aood past 9-10 days? yes, thank you and good evening- _ past 9-10 days? yes, thank you and good evening. it's _ past 9-10 days? yes, thank you and good evening. it's been _ past 9-10 days? yes, thank you and good evening. it's been stressing i good evening. it's been stressing to see the scenes in kabul. people

trapped in trying to flee. you know, i've been speaking to some of the afghan girls that i work with through my project, and they're really quite confused and scared about what's happening in their country. they are really facing uncertain times and are worried about their future uncertain times and are worried about theirfuture and uncertain times and are worried about their future and for their families. ~ . . , about their future and for their families. ~ ., ., , , ., families. what are they telling you, in terms of — families. what are they telling you, in terms of how— families. what are they telling you, in terms of how they've _ families. what are they telling you, in terms of how they've changed i in terms of how they've changed their behaviour and moderated their everyday work and what they do? what have they done? the everyday work and what they do? what have they done?— have they done? the girls i'm workin: have they done? the girls i'm working with _ have they done? the girls i'm working with our _ have they done? the girls i'm working with our refugees, i have they done? the girls i'm working with our refugees, at| have they done? the girls i'm i working with our refugees, at the moment living in neighbouring countries. so they're concerned about families trying to get a hold of them when i spoke to them. but the greatest concern is that women's rights need to be upheld, and its welcome news that the taliban have

made these statements saying women should be able to work and be educated. but i think the concern i ,and , and how stable the country will be over the next few weeks. so that is something that is really quite concerning for everyone, given the history of the country and what's been happening there. you know, we've seen what happened to women previously under taliban rule — stone rings, floggings, women being raped and abused —— stoning. so this is concerning for them and having some sort of conversation dumb at her confirmation about what things will be like will put their minds at ease.~ will be like will put their minds at ease. ~ , ., will be like will put their minds at ease. ~ will be like will put their minds at ease. �*, will be like will put their minds at ease. , ease. when you say it's confusing and the situation _ ease. when you say it's confusing and the situation needs _ ease. when you say it's confusing and the situation needs to - ease. when you say it's confusing and the situation needs to reach i and the situation needs to reach some sort of stability, we heard today in the conference, mr

zabihullah mujahid saying that women are more than welcome, they want women to participate in everyday society within sharia. what does that mean?— society within sharia. what does that mean? ~ ., , , , ., that mean? well, obviously they have their interpretation _ that mean? well, obviously they have their interpretation of— that mean? well, obviously they have their interpretation of sharia - that mean? well, obviously they have their interpretation of sharia law, i their interpretation of sharia law, as well, so i think it's a very difficult situation. i think that's a question you should also put to the taliban. you know, we've seen different interpretations of sharia law, as well, and this can be quite worrying. it'll put women in a very difficult position. pare worrying. it'll put women in a very difficult position.— difficult position. are women succeeding — difficult position. are women succeeding in _ difficult position. are women succeeding in getting - difficult position. are women succeeding in getting out i difficult position. are women succeeding in getting out of. difficult position. are women i succeeding in getting out of the country? those who you're speaking to you or your hearing about third—hand or second—hand from relatives? are the magic to leave afghanistan?—

relatives? are the magic to leave afuhanistan? ~ �* ., ., ., afghanistan? we've heard today that a film-maker — afghanistan? we've heard today that a film-maker managed _ afghanistan? we've heard today that a film-maker managed to _ afghanistan? we've heard today that a film-maker managed to escape i afghanistan? we've heard today that| a film-maker managed to escape and a film—maker managed to escape and had left the country safely. but you know, there needs to be safe and legal roots for women and children. and i'm very happy to hear that the government is looking at having a reset on a programme which will include this, because this is something i've been lobbying for, as well. so with all this happening, the real danger right now is that people are trapped — borders are closed, and we really need to speed up closed, and we really need to speed up the help and the assistance that people can have inside the country. aid agencies still aren't able to operate properly, and that's also a concern. but in terms of the resettlement programme that's been announced, that's also a move that is very welcomed. we've seen over

20,000 syrian refugees settled in the uk through that scheme. i've been working with some of those girls who have come through that scheme, and it's been highly beneficialfor scheme, and it's been highly beneficial for them, scheme, and it's been highly beneficialfor them, to help them really in resettling in society, and we've been working with them to teach them about their rights, as well. . ~ teach them about their rights, as well. ., ,, , ., teach them about their rights, as well. . ~' , ., , teach them about their rights, as well. ., ,, ,, , . well. thank you very much indeed, thank you- — well. thank you very much indeed, thank you. thank _ well. thank you very much indeed, thank you. thank you. _ taliban leaders vowed there would be no vengeance and women and girls would be able to continue theirjobs in education — very different under the regime from... what now for

women and girls in afghanistan? 0ne women and girls in afghanistan? one of the big questions in the coming days and months. fisa blogs about women's rights here but also in afghanistan. her cousins and mum's family are in the country right now. they are hiding because they are scared, because they've done things in the past. scared, because they've done things in the ast. , scared, because they've done things intheast. , �*, scared, because they've done things in the past-— in the past. odyssey there's things about taking _ in the past. odyssey there's things about taking women _ in the past. odyssey there's things about taking women to _ in the past. odyssey there's things about taking women to countries i in the past. odyssey there's things | about taking women to countries as slaves and abusing them —— obviously. slaves and abusing them -- obviously-— slaves and abusing them -- obviousl . ,, ., obviously. she fled the taliban democrat country _ obviously. she fled the taliban democrat country when - obviously. she fled the taliban | democrat country when taliban obviously. she fled the taliban i democrat country when taliban were in power more than two decades ago. she was a family courtjudge and activist. she was a family court 'udge and activist. , . ., ., she was a family court 'udge and activist. , ., , ., ,, , activist. they came and slapped my mother and — activist. they came and slapped my mother and my _ activist. they came and slapped my mother and my sisters, _ activist. they came and slapped my mother and my sisters, and - activist. they came and slapped my mother and my sisters, and they i activist. they came and slapped my i mother and my sisters, and they were looking _ mother and my sisters, and they were looking for— mother and my sisters, and they were looking for me and searching throughout the house. my plan to empower— throughout the house. my plan to empower women was not popular with

the taliban, _ empower women was not popular with the taliban, because the column and -- taiihanm — the taliban, because the column and —— taliban... they didn't like me so they— —— taliban... they didn't like me so they tried _ —— taliban... they didn't like me so they tried to — —— taliban... they didn't like me so they tried to kill me. the -- taliban. .. they didn't like me so they tried to kill me.— they tried to kill me. the taliban has declared _ they tried to kill me. the taliban has declared an _ they tried to kill me. the taliban has declared an amnesty - they tried to kill me. the taliban has declared an amnesty and i they tried to kill me. the taliban | has declared an amnesty and said they tried to kill me. the taliban i has declared an amnesty and said it wants women tojoin has declared an amnesty and said it wants women to join its government. why do people want to stop the plane to leave _ why do people want to stop the plane to leave the country? nikita why do people want to stop the plane to leave the country?— to leave the country? nikita has arrived here _ to leave the country? nikita has arrived here on _ to leave the country? nikita has arrived here on a _ to leave the country? nikita has arrived here on a scholarship i to leave the country? nikita hasl arrived here on a scholarship and finished a masters degree. her family are in the public eye —— not heed succulent my sister played for the national women's football team, and this is something that definitely— and this is something that definitel ., �* , definitely would've been banned durin: the definitely would've been banned during the taliban. _ definitely would've been banned during the taliban. and - definitely would've been banned during the taliban. and even i definitely would've been banned i during the taliban. and even when she was on the team, they were receiving threats from the taliban. now that they've come, it's something that will definitely be banned. and it's worried for the people who have been involved in these schemes. but to see how

everything has unfolded suddenly in a couple of days is just talking. it's unbelievable how everything, the fate of 37 million people has changed overnight, basically. she arrived here _ changed overnight, basically. she arrived here when she was just six years old succulent i don't think it's fair succulent they've actually walked back the it's fair succulent they've actually walked bac— walked back the morals of afghanistan _ walked back the morals of afghanistan in _ walked back the morals of afghanistan in the - walked back the morals of afghanistan in the early i walked back the morals of| afghanistan in the early 20 walked back the morals of i afghanistan in the early 20 20s. believe me, everybody in afghanistan is on fire _ believe me, everybody in afghanistan is on fire. afghanistan is burning. they— is on fire. afghanistan is burning. they know— is on fire. afghanistan is burning. they know that all eyes are on them, notiust_ they know that all eyes are on them, not just afghans _ they know that all eyes are on them, not just afghans but _ they know that all eyes are on them, not just afghans but the _ not just afghans but the international— not just afghans but the i international community. so not just afghans but the - international community. so i'm not just afghans but the _ international community. so i'm not a pessimist, — international community. so i'm not a pessimist, hut— international community. so i'm not a pessimist, but i— international community. so i'm not a pessimist, but i think— international community. so i'm not a pessimist, but i think things- international community. so i'm not a pessimist, but i think things will. a pessimist, but i think things will -et a pessimist, but i think things will get worse — a pessimist, but i think things will get worse succulent _ a pessimist, but i think things will get worse succulent for— a pessimist, but i think things will get worse succulent for afghan i get worse succulent for afghan women, — get worse succulent for afghan women, their— get worse succulent for afghan women, their dignity— get worse succulent for afghan women, their dignity is- get worse succulent for afghan women, their dignity is the i get worse succulent for afghan i women, their dignity is the most important — women, their dignity is the most important thing. _ women, their dignity is the most important thing, and _ women, their dignity is the most important thing, and the - women, their dignity is the most important thing, and the taliban| important thing, and the taliban direct— important thing, and the taliban direct target _ important thing, and the taliban direct target that _ important thing, and the taliban direct target that directly. - important thing, and the taliban direct target that directly. women and uirls in

direct target that directly. women and girls in afghanistan _ direct target that directly. women and girls in afghanistan face a i and girls in afghanistan face a difficult and uncertain future. past experience tells us that. i'm joined now by gulwali passarlay, an afghan political refugee and author. thank you for speaking to us here on bbc news. i imagine talking to us about this is triggering a lot of trauma. what are you feeling watching what's happening in afghanistan?— watching what's happening in afuhanistan? ., afghanistan? good evening, thanks for havin: afghanistan? good evening, thanks for having me- _ afghanistan? good evening, thanks for having me. it's _ afghanistan? good evening, thanks for having me. it's quite _ for having me. it's quite traumatising, i've had a challenging week like most afghans, of spoke in a friends across the uk and elsewhere and they are all heartbroken. we are also worried about the country as a whole. people were given a taste of freedom and it's all gone away. it's a very difficult situation that people are faced with back in afghanistan. 50 faced with back in afghanistan. so how is it that you've come to live in safety in the uk? what was your

story? i in safety in the uk? what was your sto ? .,, in safety in the uk? what was your sto ? ., ., story? i came in about 13 years ago because i story? i came in about 13 years ago because i lost— story? i came in about 13 years ago because i lost some _ story? i came in about 13 years ago because i lost some loved - story? i came in about 13 years ago because i lost some loved ones, i because i lost some loved ones, and i had to travel across half the world to get to the uk. that's a long story, and there are millions like me who are third or fourth generation afghan he is from this a0 plus year war. so i came here now, i was hoping to go back and see my loved ones, my mum who i haven't seenin loved ones, my mum who i haven't seen in last 15 years. i was very keen to somehow go and travel, but sadly that doesn't seem to be possible anytime soon. but i hope things get settled down and people are given their freedom and opportunities, to exercise their powers as individuals. [30 opportunities, to exercise their powers as individuals.- opportunities, to exercise their powers as individuals. do you really think that“— powers as individuals. do you really think that'll happen? _ powers as individuals. do you really think that'll happen? i _ powers as individuals. do you really think that'll happen? i have - powers as individuals. do you really think that'll happen? i have hopes. | think that'll happen? i have hopes. i've been think that'll happen? i have hopes. i've been very _ think that'll happen? i have hopes. i've been very disheartened, i think that'll happen? i have hopes. i've been very disheartened, a i think that'll happen? i have hopes. i've been very disheartened, a lot. i've been very disheartened, a lot of my friends have been very fearful, we have loved ones and

family back home, and just the sheer violence that we've experienced in the last 20 years — the sad reality is that the us and the international community has left afghanistan to the wolves. it's a very complicated and challenging situation, so i hope afghanistan will be able to find a way forward and the taliban will be true to their words that they will not persecute people, they will allow women to work. they are saying the right things, but actions speak louder. things aren't the same as they are in kabul. i louder. things aren't the same as they are in kabul.— louder. things aren't the same as they are in kabul. i was wondering if ou they are in kabul. i was wondering if you caught _ they are in kabul. i was wondering if you caught that _ they are in kabul. i was wondering if you caught that press _ they are in kabul. i was wondering| if you caught that press conference the first time we saw that gentleman speaking earlier today — he was talking about there was a war afghans were fighting against the invaders, referring to the us, the uk, foreign troops — and we have liberated afghanistan. is that how citizens feel, that they were under

oppression?— citizens feel, that they were under o- ression? ._ ., ._ oppression? some may feel that way, but at the same _ oppression? some may feel that way, but at the same time _ oppression? some may feel that way, but at the same time we _ oppression? some may feel that way, but at the same time we feel- oppression? some may feel that way, but at the same time we feel let i but at the same time we feel let down by the western and nato countries and the international community. the taliban wouldn't of been able to do what they did without the help of the us and pakistan. the us abandoned us us and left us in this collocated situation where our air support said they would stay with us. they would never been able to do... aretha; they would stay with us. they would never been able to do. . ._ they would stay with us. they would never been able to do... why do you think they've — never been able to do... why do you think they've done _ never been able to do... why do you think they've done that? _ never been able to do... why do you think they've done that? very i never been able to do... why do you think they've done that? very good i think they've done that? very good cuestion, think they've done that? very good question, which _ think they've done that? very good question, which i _ think they've done that? very good question, which i find _ think they've done that? very good question, which i find out - think they've done that? very good question, which i find out why i think they've done that? very good question, which i find out why they| question, which i find out why they did this, because when i listened to biden, his speech lacked compassion and he was leaving the afghans. he did not mention the over 100,000 afghan civilians in the last 20 years. we've been oppressed for some global geopolitical games and we've been left. the sad reality is we had a flag, an institution, we started from zero — that's all gone. i hope the taliban realises that they should preserve these institutions,

and they want to be recognised internationally and be acknowledged, and treated as a response will government — they need to fulfil the promises entry people with and respect, and not cause such violence and suffering. respect, and not cause such violence and suffering-— and suffering. when you talk about commitments, _ and suffering. when you talk about commitments, i'd _ and suffering. when you talk about commitments, i'd like _ and suffering. when you talk about commitments, i'd like to _ and suffering. when you talk about commitments, i'd like to know- and suffering. when you talk about| commitments, i'd like to know what you think about the uk commitment to afghans who have worked with them and other allied forces. you have said that the discussion on asylum should be humanised — what do you mean by that and what hopes do you have for afghan refugees coming safely to the uk? 50 have for afghan refugees coming safely to the uk?— safely to the uk? so basically in the last 12 _ safely to the uk? so basically in the last 12 years, _ safely to the uk? so basically in the last 12 years, the _ safely to the uk? so basically in the last 12 years, the uk - safely to the uk? so basically in l the last 12 years, the uk deported 15,000 afghans to afghanistan, arguing that kabul was safe. 32,000 afghans recently in the last three years, arguing that it was safe. the refusal rate of asylum—seekers has

been 30% over recent years. so i hope the uk realises their obligation to refugees and lets them in. undocumented because of the unjust and hostile home office. afghanistan is a law worse, after the last 20 years, it was one of the most insecure countries in the world. now it's a different story and a lot of people who are academics, artists, people who are pro—government, the republic and things will struggle to live there. but i encourage and request the uk government to actually do what they can to persuade the palace democrat thailand to do what they can when it comes to human rights and women's rights —— persuade the taliban. if afghans come here, they will not be granted asylum, they'll be imprisoned and deported to some third country and will be penalised

for getting here irregularly. so i hope we can look into ourselves and realise the mistake we are making, especially seeing the images from kabul airport with people holding on so desperately to the us planes to get out of the country and the situation they are in.- get out of the country and the situation they are in. thank you very much _ situation they are in. thank you very much for— situation they are in. thank you very much for your _ situation they are in. thank you very much for your time, i situation they are in. thank you very much for your time, and i l situation they are in. thank you i very much for your time, and i hope your mum is safe and well.- your mum is safe and well. thank ou. there are more signs today of the way in which the uk economy is rebounding after the worst of the pandemic. that's according to the official figures. pandemic. that's according to the officialfigures. much of pandemic. that's according to the official figures. much of the growth injobs is in sectors previously hit hard during the lock downs, such as entertainment and hospitality. as faisal islam reports, wages in those sectors are also rising.

in kent, the fruits of economic recovery from the pandemic. here, the fruits of economic recovery from the pandemic. a huge backlog of building work, demand through the roof — but spencer can't find the workers to fix them. definitely a major shortage of personnel. it's across the board — labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers. how many applicants are you getting? to these works? yeah. none. none? none. you are putting job adverts up and nobody is applying? no. not at all, no one. today's job numbers show joblessness at 4.7% — down again in the three months tojune, well below its pandemic peak last autumn. vacancies have never been higher at 953,000 in the quarter, or over one million in the single month ofjuly. by the end ofjune, the latest figures show there were 1.9 million jobs still on furlough. a record in the number ofjob vacancies reflects what's going on notjust in construction but across the economy, especially those sectors

that are newly reopened, such as restaurants, and pubs and hotels. it also reflects good news in thejobs market, lower unemployment than expected. the number ofjobs nearly back up to where they were before the pandemic. but the issue around labour shortages is now a very real challenge for the recovery. 0n the streets here, the high street is returning to life, but not quite as normal — these vacancy notices, signs of our times as employers struggle to keep up with demand returning, but without the same number of workers, after a combination of the pandemic and new post—brexit restrictions on european workers. i think it's a perfect storm of lots of things, you know, we have had a pandemic, people have not been moving jobs, so people have been sticking where they are. so you have a lack of candidate movement, a lot of eu records that went home during the pandemic, and actually, it's really difficult to get back if you want to. and the skill shortages here, going back to a lack of apprenticeships from a long time ago that haven't been coming through, and it's almost like the pandemic has accelerated a problem that was already underlying.

for now, not all the vacancies match where the jobless are nor their skills, but for those workers with in demand skills such as here in construction, wages are starting to rise. faisal islam, bbc news. let's look at the latest government figures on the coronavirus. there were 26,852 new infections recorded in the latest 2a hour period, which means on average there were 29,564 new cases per day in the last week. 6303 people are currently in hospital, with the virus. 170 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours — that's the highest number since march. and there was an average of 93 deaths a day in the past week. as far as the jabs go, 89.6% of adults in the uk have now had theirfirst

jab, and over 77% have had both doses. the medicines regulator says it is safe and actually receive the job. a tropical storm that hit haiti overnight is hampering rescue work in the aftermath of the earthquake which struck the island at the weekend. more than 1,400 people have been killed, and thousands more are injured. 0ur correspondent james clayton reports from the town of le cai, which is in the path of the storm. the church behind me is called l�*eglise du sacre—coeur. and, as you can see, it's been hugely impacted by this earthquake. you can see right the way through it. there is a statue of the virgin mary completely smashed, there are these

huge lines that cut across church that is structurally unsound and actually the locals have told me they are worried about that spire up there could fall at any moment because there are these huge cracks down the side of it. up across the road, you have the local coffin maker. a small business trying to make ends meet. and once again it has been totally decimated by this earthquake. and really this is a very similar story across this town. there are some buildings that are fine, or at least cracked but have not fallen, and others that have completely fallen in on themselves. the death count at the moment is still increasing and people are worried now about a storm. there are dark pounds over that way. we have heard it is raining in some parts of this region already, and people do worry that now they are forced out of their homes they are going to have to sleep in the wet and cold.

hundreds of firefighters in the south of france are battling a wildfire that's forced thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate as a precaution. officials say the fire broke out on monday and has so far burned more than three square kilometres of forest and scrubland to the west of saint—tropez — that's an area the size of more than 500 football pitches. firefighting aircraft are dumping water to help douse the flames. astronomers have captured some of the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies in deep space. they reveal their inner workings in unprecedented detail and show the role of black holes in creating — as well as destroying — stars and planets. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. 0ur sun is just one among the 100 billion stars in the milky way, which in turn is one of countless other galaxies in our universe.

astronomers have now found a way to see inside them in much greater detail. in this image, the galaxy is in the middle, shooting out either side are jets of material across the expanse of space as a result of a gigantic black hole inside it. these jets are shooting outjust like a fountain of water, far, far beyond the reaches of the galaxy itself. i walked around with a huge smile on my face for the rest of the day because i felt so proud that i was able to make this image and be able to see something nobody had ever seen before. it is just one of several new pictures obtained with the help of these aerials planted in a small field in hampshire. these pick up radio waves from the galaxies. they may not look like much, but astronomers have connected 52 sitesjust like this one, spread all across europe. astronomers can now see things they have never been able to see before. this is a picture of a galaxy seen through a normal telescope, and here is a standard radio

image of it. although it is a lot brighter, a lot of the detail has been lost. now compare it with one of the new, high definition images, which is much sharper, showing features inside in unprecedented detail. the brightest area at the bottom shows the location of a gigantic black hole inside this galaxy. it is bright because of the energy released as it sucks in material around it. this image shows two galaxies colliding, the bright spots of clusters are exploding stars, creating what astronomers call a galactic wind, blowing dust and gas away from it. and this is a galaxy created early on in the life of the universe and it too has a black hole, causing jets of material to spurt out. even seasoned astronomers say wow at these pictures. it has become very clear that in order to understand galaxy evolution we need to understand the black hole right at the very centre because it appears

to have a fairly fundamental influence on how a galaxy evolves. these new images will help astronomers learn more about how the processes that created stars, galaxies and our own earth actually work. pallab ghosh, bbc news, chilbolton observatory in hampshire. darren has the weather for us now. we had seen some sunshine in a few places today and in scotland temperatures reached 23 degrees. in many parts of the uk in the next few days there will be cloudiness. temperatures will be lower than they should be at this time of year. there is a chance of some rain from time to time. they will be some drizzle over the hills as we see the cloudiness with mist. that blanket of cloudiness with the temperatures around 12, 14 degrees similar to what we had last night. there is some rain coming into northern parts of mainland scotland. the rest of scotland

should see cloudiness and sunshine coming through. it will be dull elsewhere. the cloudiness lifting and the skies will brighten and they will be some sunshine here and there. there is a northwesterly breeze feeding in cool air although the wind will ease into the day and with more brightness we should see temperatures up to 20 or 21 celsius.

this is bbc news, i'm christian fraser. the taliban fighters have control of the streets — now the taliban leadership is in afghanistan ready to form a government. but in their first press conference since kabul fell the group say they are not seeking "revenge" and all afghans will be "'forgiven'. there is an invitation for all former officials to return to theirjobs. i reassure all internationals, the un, all embassies, our neighbours that we will not be allowing the soil of afghanistan be used against anybody. we have the first tv interview with the man who until sunday was in charge of afghanistan's central bank. tonight the white house admitted joe biden has not spoken to any world leader since the fall of kabul. we will speak to a former nato supreme commander

on what the us administration could have done differently.