this is bbc news — i'm christian fraser — our top stories. the exiled afghan president has spoken for the first time since the taliban seized power. ashraf ghani — says he still wants a leading role — and only left the country to stop afghanistan imploding like yemen or syria. in the uk, borisjohnson faces a barrage of criticism from his own mp's who accuse him of retreating from afghanistan "on a wing and a prayer2. the prime minister was told his foreign policy is in tatters. we will talk tonight to the female afghan journalist who upended years of taliban doctrine by sitting down with one of the group's top leaders yesterday for an exclusive interivew. and with that in mind, we'll ask what the taliban were promised by the trump administration in last

years peace agreement, and whether a leopard really can change its spots. hello, afghanistan's ousted president ashraf ghani has issued a video message from the united arab emirate, where he is in exile. he is promising to return to his homeland to "fight for sovereignty." in a nine minute broadcast mr ghani said he had been forced to leave afghanistan at the weekend to avoid bloodshed and that claims he made off with $169 million were "baseless."(biv inside afghanistan the work continues to evacuate afghan allies most at risk, though it proving increasingly difficult to get people who are eligibile to leave to the airport. the german foreign ministry confirmed today that their first evacuation flight left with just seven people on board it. the taliban have surrounded the airport, and although they are

promising safe passage few are prepared to take the risk. as our chief international correspondent lyse doucet reports. come and help, help, help. a girl at the gate screaming. "the taliban are coming, they are coming for me," pleading with western soldiers at kabul airport to let her in. this is the front line of fear in a capital turned inside out. the people who have had to run the gauntlet of new taliban check posts along the main road to the airport. many afghans say they are trapped, they are sending sos messages to the world. these are just some sent to me. this one i have just received from someone who has been working at the british embassy in kabul, saying he has been to the gate of the airport three times. he says his children were almost

killed when the taliban opened fire on the crowds. he, like others, is calling for a safer route out, otherwise, he says, it is better to stay—at—home and wait for our death. afghans and foreigners are now managing to make it onto the airfield onto one of many lists in this massive evacuation. everyone at the start of a new life, whatever their age. the uk, among many countries, doing what they can to help. to get through the work load, to get the people that we need to get out of here to safety, how long have we got? it really depends on other things outside our control. the security situation, the approach of the taliban. we are working on the basis of days, not weeks, so we really do have to get those numbers through. flying in, taliban leaders, including the founding member of the taliban,

now tipped to be president. first stop, an emotional return to kandahar in the south, birthplace of the taliban movement. now they're creating a government. in kabul today, a former president, hamid karzai, was in talks with one of the youngest taliban leaders, a 26—year—old. the family are linked to the hakani network, blamed for some of the worst attacks on afghan civilians. the youngest is now cast as a messenger of peace to political leaders who have not left. but some afghans are still resisting the change. protest today in the eastern city of jalalabad. afghans still holding onto their national flag. but the old order is gone. the taliban enforcing a new one. lyse doucet, bbc news.

here in the uk, parliament was recalled from the summer recess for an emergency session on afghanistan, in which boris johnson and his ministers came in for some stinging criticism. two broad themes dominated the debate — first, why did us and nato allies not foresee the risk of an immediate collapse in kabul — and since intelligence agencies — did in fact warn of that risk — were they slow to evacuate those afghans most in danger? mrjohnson defended his handling of the withdrawal, saying the uk had been left with no palatable choices, once american forces had been withdrawn. since 2009, america has deployed 98% of all weapons released from nato aircraft in afghanistan, and at the peak of the operation when there were 132,000 troops on the ground, 90,000 of them, mr speaker, where american. ——90,000 of them, mr speaker, were american. the west could not continue

this us—led mission, a mission conceived and executed in support and defence of america without american logistics, without us airpower and without american might. earlier i spoke to the democratic congresswoman debbie dingell — who on sunday said the hurried us departure from afghanistan was akin to the country's desperate evacuation from saigon in 1975. congresswoman, we now know through a spate of leaks that were published in the new york times today that they were classified assessments put to the white house by america's spy agencies throughout the summer that warned specifically, warned specifically that there would be a rapid collapse of the afghan military, and yet president biden pressed ahead. what does congress make of that? you know, i think that we are going to be asking questions and looking for answer is in the weeks

and months ahead. this is not a good situation, hasn't been a good situation, and i'm not happy with where we are now, but i think the intelligence would also lead one to believe that if we'd stayed another three months, six months, or three years, that it would not have been any stronger. so, i'm focused at that moment on the immediacy of making sure that all americans are safe, the embassy personnel are safe, all the afghans who helped us, be it their interpreting our performing a myriad of other tasks to support americans are safe. how do we get them out of there? had how do we keep them safe? and then quite frankly, i'm worried about the women and the girls. and that's what scares me the most, probably long term, because they are in danger, and it scares me to death. and it scares the rest of us too.

i want to put to you though, the concerns there have been on this site about the tone we have had from the president and where he lays the blame for what happened. i want to play you two statements today that were made to the house of commons, the first is from tom thugen, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, and he has an afghan veteran, and the other is from our former foreign secretary, jeremy hunt. take a lesson. take a listen. to see their commander—in—chief call into question the courage of men i fight with, to claim that they ran... shameful. hear, hear. those who have never fought for the colours they fly should be careful about criticising those who have. hear, hear! president biden said this week that his only vital national interest in afghanistan was to prevent a terrorist attack.

even if that is the case, both he and president trump should be deeply ashamed, and i say this with great sadness, because their actions have returned afghanistan to the very governments that harboured the 9/11 bombers. how would a representative of the us congress respond to those statements? so, i have several things to say, one is that britain has always been an important ally to the united states of america, they were there when we went into afghanistan and we are all going to have to work together to protect our countries from international terrorism as well as countries who have very real cases of domestic terrorism, and that is an issue i am very focused on. all of those men and women who fight to keep us free,

who fought for our democracy, who went into afghanistan because of what happened in this country during 9/ii where brave and courageous, country during 9/ii were brave and courageous, and all of our partners around the world thatjoined us also were. so we have to be very careful with our words. we can't have forever wars, but that is, what's happened in the last week is clearly changing the terrain of the global... ..of global peace and what we have to worry about. we need our friends in great britain. you made the comment there that we went into afghanistan together, and we did. it was the first time that article five had been triggered in response to 9/11. what is angering a lot of people, and i think the former secretary general of nato made this point the other day, is that we went in together and we should have come out

together, and the negotiation with the taliban didn't involve the allies, and joe biden didn't even call nato leaders this week after kabul had fallen until last night, until he called borisjohnson last night belatedly. and it doesn't feel as if america at the moment is speaking with its nato allies and acting as one. can you understand that? well, i am saying to you, all of you, that we have to. we have to all stay together because we have a very dangerous terrain in the world. quite frankly, you know, i am a member of congress, the executive branch under four presidents, two republicans, two democrats, probably did not share enough, not probably, did not share enough of the intelligence. we did not tell the executive branch, be its republican ——we did not hold the executive branch, be its republican or democrat, accountable enough.

i think that one of the things that you are going to see coming out of what has happened is going to be congress, we are the third branch of government, have a responsibility for asking questions and seeking those answers, and you are going to see that more. that was the democratic congressman debbie. a female journalist sitting down with a top government official for a hard hitting interview is hardly news. but given the taliban's brutal history of repression against women and girls, many were surprised yesterday when one of the taliban's top officials mawlawi abdulhaq hemad agreed to be questioned by tolo news' anchor beheshta arghand. it made headlines around the world. but the question many will continue to ask is — is it indicative of the change the taliban promises or is it all for show? in the 90s , the group governed in line with a strict interpretation of islamic law. there was no television. women were forced to wear the all—covering burqa, the taliban stopped all girls aged ten and over from going to school. in the press conference yesterday — the taliban said women will be allowed to work and will have rights

within the framework of islamic law. but what does that mean? just today there have been reports of female journalists being stopped from doing their work. shabnam dawran, an achor on afghan state news, said she was told by the taliban to go home despite wearing a hijab and having her press id with her. so what does the women who carried out that landmark interview yesterday think? a little earlier, i spoke to beheshta arghand in herfirst international television interview, from her home. what assurances have you been given that you will be allowed to keep yourjob? that you will be allowed to keep our “ob? ., , ., u, your “ob? 0h, nothing, but what can we yourjob? 0h, nothing, but what can we do in this — yourjob? 0h, nothing, but what can we do in this situation? _ yourjob? 0h, nothing, but what can we do in this situation? i _ yourjob? 0h, nothing, but what can we do in this situation? ijust - yourjob? 0h, nothing, but what can we do in this situation? i just want l we do in this situation? ijust want to work because our country women, if i stayed at home, no one came to work, no one came to an office, one

of us, maybe one of us must start a job in the media or in the office so i said to myself, go and start it because it is such an important time for afghan women because they need someone to show them, please come and work at this time. we must be in this struggle, we must sacrifice something for all generations after us, so i say to myself this is the time we know the situation is not good for us, for all of the women of afghanistan. pare good for us, for all of the women of afghanistan-— afghanistan. are you allowed to decide what _ afghanistan. are you allowed to decide what you _ afghanistan. are you allowed to decide what you report - afghanistan. are you allowed to decide what you report on? - afghanistan. are you allowed to decide what you report on? is i afghanistan. are you allowed to i decide what you report on? is that taliban in the television studio deciding, determining what you say?

not now, but i think after one month, two or three months, they will be decided what do we say from our studio, will be decided what do we say from ourstudio, and will be decided what do we say from our studio, and they will be have some laws for us, and they think they will show something to us, do what we want, not what is and ally, and you don't do anything depending, so i think now they don't have any reaction, but after that, they will do something. reaction, but after that, they will do something-— reaction, but after that, they will do somethin. ., ., ., , do something. you have to be careful about what you _ do something. you have to be careful about what you say _ do something. you have to be careful about what you say then. _ do something. you have to be careful about what you say then. yeah, - do something. you have to be careful about what you say then. yeah, we . about what you say then. yeah, we must be careful, _ about what you say then. yeah, we must be careful, because - about what you say then. yeah, we must be careful, because in - must be careful, because in these days, i'm so careful because, you know, before that, when i talk with political people, when i talk with

people in the studio when they came, and we have some discussion, we just talk about all of the things. if there is something wrong about that taliban, we ask, and we say it's... we can ask everything that we want, but i'm so careful because i know if i say something, they will say she said something against that taliban, and she will have something wrong in the future about us, so now i am so careful about my questions, about what i say and what i have in discussion. there is nothing to show

that we are independent in our field. ., that we are independent in our field. . , , ., that we are independent in our field. . , , field. that must be a very different world for you _ field. that must be a very different world for you at _ field. that must be a very different world for you at the _ field. that must be a very different world for you at the moment - field. that must be a very different world for you at the moment being j field. that must be a very different i world for you at the moment being in the studio and then returning home. how different is that that tome in the neighbourhood in which you live? now, we say who are you, and why are you in the car, you don't have anyone one knows men bear... there is no one like your brother or your father with you or is something else they say, or if they know i am that present chair or i the anchor, so they will chat with me. i am so afraid from all of them, i just am afraid from all of them, i just am afraid from all of them, i just am afraid from then. they target me or is something else, because they

don't, i don't know, they did this because they say we don't have any problem with afghan women, they came to... but i'm afraid, and i have this all in my mind. we but i'm afraid, and i have this all in my mind-— but i'm afraid, and i have this all in my mind. we think you are very brave. congratulations _ in my mind. we think you are very brave. congratulations on - in my mind. we think you are very brave. congratulations on your. brave. congratulations on your interview yesterday.— brave. congratulations on your interview yesterday. down interview yesterday. thank you. down from one anchor _ interview yesterday. thank you. down from one anchor to _ interview yesterday. thank you. down from one anchor to another— interview yesterday. thank you. down from one anchor to another for - from one anchor to another for coming on our programme, thank you. you're welcome. the women who interviewed the taliban yesterday can i make no mistake, it is brave not only going into the studio, but even getting to the studio at the moment, especially when you are a high—profile figure like her. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we will take a look at those wrecking inside that taliban, who they are and what they really

believe. that is next. exams in scotland will go ahead as normal next year if it is safe for them to do so. the scottish government said national five, higher and advanced higher exams would be held in spring providing public health advice allows them to take place. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon says continengy plans are in place if exams cannot be held. the first back—up plan is to further modify crisis that have already been modified. while, the second is that if covid creates difficulties that mean it's not easy are reasonable for exams to take place, that they will be scrapped again for the third year running and replaced with teacher assessed grades. the main teaching union here says they want to focus over the next year to be in teaching and learning, not gathering evidence for assessments and for these contingency purposes while the

scottish conservatives say it's a dereliction of duty for the snp to announce this only once schools have returned. to announce this only once schools have returned. ., , , ., ,., announce this only once schools have returned. ., , , ., h, ., , returned. to bring you some latest breakin: returned. to bring you some latest breaking news _ returned. to bring you some latest breaking news that _ returned. to bring you some latest breaking news that we _ returned. to bring you some latest breaking news that we have - returned. to bring you some latest breaking news that we have heard | returned. to bring you some latest. breaking news that we have heard and the last three minutes he says afghanistan will not be able to access strs or other fund resources due to lack of clarity over recognition of its government. he might have watched this programme last night, that special i am just being told, you may tensing the central bank governor on this programme last night saying things would get difficult and afghanistan. they were shipping dollars into the country, and of course, there were significant funds from the imf that were due to come to afghanistan to deal with the pandemic, the imf saying tonight that they will not release those funds over a lack of clarity over the government. that taliban has said it's open to sharing power with other

political leaders in afghanistan, and the shape of the future afghan government could well determine how washington responds to the dire economic picture that is developing. s0 far the american has blocked access to afghan reserves in us banks, while the imf weighs approval of m60 million of pandemic funding. the governor of the central bank who spoke to us exculusively last night told us the country has been dependent on bulk shipments of dollar reserves and is now rapidly running short, which could soon lead to higherfood prices. so who are the political leaders of the taliban are they the kind of people the americans can work with and are they up to the job of uniting and guiding theirfractured country. ahmed rashid, is a journalist and author of "taliban: the story of afghan warlords." thank you very much for being with us. what did confucius say, i think it would study the past if you would

define the future. so let's go back in time to 19 90,1992, i define the future. so let's go back in time to 19 90, 1992, i think it was when the taliban first came to power. that they make similar promises to those that they are making now?— promises to those that they are making now? promises to those that they are makin: now? ~ ., ., , making now? well, no, i mean, they were extremely _ making now? well, no, i mean, they were extremely popular— making now? well, no, i mean, they were extremely popular at _ making now? well, no, i mean, they were extremely popular at the - were extremely popular at the beginning because they promised they would end the civil wear and that they would disarm them and they did that then the other areas. they came to kabul, they changed their minds and sadly well now... previously said that they wouldn't want to rule afghanistan, and they held that make it became the increasingly hard... religious islamic zealots in pakistan and then with the arabs coming in and 95 and 96, then bin

laden, and they became much more hard mind, and their particular centre of islam, which is a creation from the indian continent, pakistan, basically, they regarded him or her share versionjust basically, they regarded him or her share version just anywhere else. i share versionjust anywhere else. i think we are losing you a little bit, but we will stick with the line, so apologies for the quality of the line, but it's worth listening into this, because i went to get an impression of the people that could be coming to power. let's start with the man some people think will become the next president. who is he? ~ , will become the next president. who ishe? .,, is he? well, i he is somebody who is ve close is he? well, i he is somebody who is very close to — is he? well, i he is somebody who is very close to hand, _ is he? well, i he is somebody who is very close to hand, i met _ is he? well, i he is somebody who is very close to hand, i met him - very close to hand, i met him briefly when i was very early on in 1993, when he began the governor

various province says, he trusted him impeccably, and right after that, his real role came after 9/11 with that taliban and he was trying to organise the surrender of the taliban and the end to the war as long as that taliban would not be sent off to guantanamo or anywhere else. they refused it, the pakistanis got wind of it and didn't want any kind of deal with that taliban that they didn't control, so he was jailed in pakistan for ten years. severaltimes, his health he was jailed in pakistan for ten years. several times, his health was very poor, he nearly died, and special doctors were called to treat him, and finally, when negotiations

started in qatar, the americans insisted he come and take part. now, he was always known as a man of ease who wanted a settlement to... and he was also... that's when he became so powerful and effective than the tax and qatar. everyone thought that this man would be the one that would do a deal, and the war and all the rest of it, but that did not happen, and one can only presume through the lack of knowledge about the internal workings of the taliban, one can only presume that he was outplayed by the young militants to lead this military campaign which has taken the whole country in its grasp, and they have already... and hardline

areas and those who want peace. we will have to leave it there, because we are about to go to a break, but thank you very much indeed. thank you for that. good evening. so far this week, the weather story has been dominated by cloud. it's been a rather grey start, hasn't it, really? and through this afternoon, the cloud was thick enough at times to produce a little bit of light drizzle in places. this was cumbria earlier on. there was also some sunshine be found, though, across eastern scotland, to the east of england and down just to the north of london as well. we had a few breaks in the cloud from time to time. now, the cloud will continue to fill in as we go through the evening as well, and once again along exposed west—facing coasts, it'll be thick enough for a spot or two of drizzle. could be quite misty as well across the hills. temperatures are holding up, though, staying into double digits first thing for thursday morning. so, once again, we start off with a cloudy story. there will be some breaks and some sunshine coming through northern ireland.

you can see a slice just moving across the east of the pennines before yet more cloud arrives and some showery outbreaks of rain push in from the west. so, a really messy story to try and pinpoint down for tomorrow, and again, those temperatures are going to be disappointing. friday looks a slightly quieter day. yes, i know there's a weather front pushing in from the west, and it will gradually bring outbreaks of rain. but ahead of it, it looks likely to be dry. there'll be some around, the winds swinging to a southerly ahead of that weather front, will also drive in slightly milder air. so, with the sunshine, we could see temperatures peaking at 23 or 2a degrees — that's 75 fahrenheit. and in fact, we're going to continue to import some heat from the near continent. not the extreme heat from the mediterranean, but ahead of this weather front, we will continue to see some increasing warmth. however, this weather front is going to bring some heavy rain as well. so, as we head towards the weekend,

it looks likely to be quite a warm story, but also quite wet at times, possibly even with some sharp, thundery downpours. so, eastern england on saturday seeing the best of the sunshine, the best of the weather. 0ur weather front is going to take its time to arrive in from the west, some of that rain will be heavy from time to time. it's only 18 or 19 degrees here, but we could see highs of 26 degrees — that's into the high 70s fahrenheit. the frontal system will slowly start to ease away on sunday, leaving some thundery showers behind. brightening up a little in the west, though, from monday.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the taliban strengthens its grip on power — four days after taking the afghan capital kabul. looking back the 2020 deal that saw the us agree to leave afghanistan, how did that contribute to today's crisis. is the us withdrawal from afghanistan, china's gain? we'll analyse. also in the programme — in court in new york — award winning r&b star r kelly — accused of racketeering, bribery and sexual abuse.

if that's done of this decision to withdraw the clearly he makes no apology. the president public argument is that his hands were tied by an agreement the former president made with the taliban. and this is it. it's four pages. signed in february 2028 by the then us secretary of state mike pompeo. not a lot to put an end to 20 years of conflict. first thing to say about this is that this is a peace deal that was negotiated by the americans. we all went into afghanistan under the nato article five, but did we negotiate this deal together? the article five, but did we negotiate this deal together?— article five, but did we negotiate

this deal together? the deal was neaotiated this deal together? the deal was negotiated by — this deal together? the deal was negotiated by the _ this deal together? the deal was negotiated by the then _ this deal together? the deal was negotiated by the then secretaryj this deal together? the deal was i negotiated by the then secretary of state mike pompeo the brits were aware of the negotiation but like so much during the trump administration we were squeezed out. but they did welcome the deal when it was signed on the 29th of february 2020. let’s on the 29th of february 2020. let's aet into it on the 29th of february 2020. let's get into it because _ on the 29th of february 2020. let's get into it because it _ on the 29th of february 2020. let's get into it because it really does explain where we are at the moment. it says they will reduce the number of us forces in afghanistan to 8600 and proportionally bring reductions in the number of its allies and coalition forces. so isjoe biden right, did that set in train a process that was irreversible? yes. if ou process that was irreversible? yes. if you look — process that was irreversible? yes. if you look back _ process that was irreversible? yes. if you look back at _ process that was irreversible? yes. if you look back at the _ process that was irreversible? jazz if you look back at the deal with hindsight the big mistake was to set a fixed time line for a complete withdrawal of us and allied troops

and so in effect the taliban knew that they could just run the clock down. the one concession the us got from the taliban was that the taliban said we promise on the lives of our mothers and daughters etc that we won't attack america and want to allow our friends in al-qaeda and the islamic state to attack america. and that's as far as it went from the taliban. and they got quite a lot, notjust a withdrawal of troops to a fixed timeline but the release of prisoners, but dropping out sanctions and bounties against the leading taliban figures, and the promise that once the troops were gone america would no longer interfere in afghanistan top. 50

interfere in afghanistan top. so that sanctions is interesting because there is a decision pending now as to whetherjoe biden releases the funds that are in american banks for the state of afghanistan. is there anything in this agreement that you can see that allows him to reverse and go back for the what they agreed? i reverse and go back for the what they agreed?— they agreed? i think he's on the hook really- _ they agreed? i think he's on the hook really. i _ they agreed? i think he's on the hook really. i think— they agreed? i think he's on the hook really. i think technically l they agreed? i think he's on the l hook really. i think technically he is on the hook because the agreement which has been stuck to it the taliban in technical terms i think if not in spirit, it allows, or will it asks that sanctions are dropped against the taliban. so really i think that money probably does need to be released on a technical point but perhaps more importantly for biden if they do not release the money, if they don't provide cash to

the afghan state now run by the taliban the state will implode and with it chaos and all the things that we really fear most. will with it chaos and all the things that we really fear most. will have to leave you _ that we really fear most. will have to leave you there, _ that we really fear most. will have to leave you there, thank you - to leave you there, thank you very much indeed for that. us government has enough ethical to approve booster shots for anyone that had to vaccine.— that had to vaccine. intimidation and threats _ that had to vaccine. intimidation and threats were seen _ that had to vaccine. intimidation and threats were seen across . that had to vaccine. intimidation | and threats were seen across the country _ and threats were seen across the country are — and threats were seen across the country are wrong. they are unacceptable. i have said before but this is— unacceptable. i have said before but this is not— unacceptable. i have said before but this is not about politics, it's about— this is not about politics, it's about keeping our children safe. it's about keeping our children safe. it's about— about keeping our children safe. it's about taking on the virus together— it's about taking on the virus together knighted. i will make it

clear_ together knighted. i will make it clear that i will stand with those that are — clear that i will stand with those that are trying to do the right thing — that are trying to do the right thing. last week i called school superintendents in florida and arizona — superintendents in florida and arizona to thank them for doing the film arizona to thank them for doing the right thing — arizona to thank them for doing the right thing and requiring masks in their— right thing and requiring masks in their schools. one of them said we teach _ their schools. one of them said we teach science, so we followed the science _ teach science, so we followed the science. the other said they have a guiding _ science. the other said they have a guiding principle, students first. i could— guiding principle, students first. i could not— guiding principle, students first. i could not agree more with what they both said _ could not agree more with what they both said. that's why today i am directing — both said. that's why today i am directing the secretary of education, and educator himself, to take additional steps to protect our children _ take additional steps to protect our children. this includes using all of his oversight and authority and legal— his oversight and authority and legal action if appropriate against the governors were trying to block and intimidate local school officials and educators. as i have said before, if you are not going to fi-ht said before, if you are not going to fight covid—19 at least get out of the way— fight covid—19 at least get out of the way of everyone else who is trying —

the way of everyone else who is trying we — the way of everyone else who is trying. we are not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children _ intimidate educators protecting our children. every governor wants to cut the _ children. every governor wants to cut the pay— children. every governor wants to cut the pay of a hard—working educational leader who requires masks _ educational leader who requires masks in — educational leader who requires masks in the classroom, the money from _ masks in the classroom, the money from the _ masks in the classroom, the money from the american rescue plan can be used to— from the american rescue plan can be used to pay— from the american rescue plan can be used to pay that person public salary— used to pay that person public salary 100%. used to pay that person public salary100%. i'm going used to pay that person public salary 100%. i'm going to say... president — salary 100%. i'm going to say... president biden talking about those governments in the south like florida and texas that have tried to block maths mandates brought in by school boards in recent days to combat the rise in cases that the moment heading around 150,000 new cases a day. five states in the united states at the moment where i see you beds are at 90% capacity in the government keen to address that and to assure people. the us state department has in the last few hours changed its advice for those afghans trying to leave kabul. the words changed from �*shelter

in place' to �*consider travelling to the airport'. however they are warned the us government cannot ensure safe passage. at the pentagon in the last house the defence secetary lloyd austin, told the press that the us is working with the taliban but admitted they are not close to where they want to be in evacuating americans and afghan allies. i would draw a distinction bar between extracting someone in an extreme its condition or circumstance, versus going out and collecting up large numbers of citizens. do you have the capability to go out and collect americans? we don't have the capability to collect large numbers of people. we know that between kabul and the hamid karzai airport there are scores of taleban checkpoints. and many can't get through. our next guest, left afghanistan in 2015. her father was shot and killed in kabul in the 90's, and yet she went on to become the first woman from her province to study abroad.

she helped write a new constitution for afghanistan, and she became a judge — a female judge — in an afghan court. iamjoined by i am joined by formerjudge for the afghan government and the director for global programmes at every woman treaty. thank you very much for being with us. maybe you could just tell us a little bit about your own history, tell us about your life growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much- for— growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. for being _ growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. for being born _ growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. for being born as— growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. for being born as a - growing up in afghanistan. thank you so much. for being born as a girl, - so much. for being born as a girl, from the moment i am born i have been discriminated against. going to the school, finishing school, studying abroad, particularly higher education, becoming a judge, for me as an afghan it has been a very rocky road because first of all you

have to be brave enough and also behave enough to convince your society from your family, to be able to get to those positions. the interesting part was that my family was very supportive because as you already mentioned to my brother and father both have been assassinated because of supporting women's rights and supporting the education and contribution, it's as a retribution for me for going abroad and studying. i for me for going abroad and studying-— for me for going abroad and stud inc. ., . �*, ., studying. i would imagine there's no one more at — studying. i would imagine there's no one more at risk— studying. i would imagine there's no one more at risk than _ studying. i would imagine there's no one more at risk than a _ studying. i would imagine there's no one more at risk than a female - studying. i would imagine there's no | one more at risk than a female judge in afghanistan come up for two reason they sending taliban fighters and people who have carried out atrocities to jail and so obviously there will be retribution but obviously as well because i don't like women being in positions of power like that. how many of these female judges are writing to you to express their concerns and fears? i

am in touch with many of my colleagues but particularly this morning i heard from one of my very close friends and fellowjudge. she is one of the strongest women judges i think i really admire her. she wrote me that people got her contact number and called her and said you are next and you are on top of our list. there are two risks not only to women judges but every woman is facing but particularly women judges because the taliban when they came into power they freed all of the prisoners. no matter who. they were criminals, there were taliban and everyone. so that's why women judges are not only targeted by the taliban but also by the criminals that have been freed. flit

but also by the criminals that have been freed-— been freed. of the 'udges you've sorted you how — been freed. of the judges you've sorted you how many _ been freed. of the judges you've sorted you how many are - been freed. of the judges you've sorted you how many are trying l been freed. of the judges you've. sorted you how many are trying to get out and how difficult is it to do that? where are they in the country and can they get the airport? i country and can they get the air-ort? ., ., , ., airport? i hear lots of, we give more than _ airport? i hear lots of, we give more than 200 _ airport? i hear lots of, we give more than 200 female - airport? i hear lots of, we give more than 200 female judges| airport? i hear lots of, we give i more than 200 female judges in airport? i hear lots of, we give - more than 200 female judges in the country and they are all over afghanistan. the majority are in kabul of course. many of the women that have been vocal and really active in society, many of them are really wanting to get out. but there is no way because of the reasons that i really feel that this is important for now and for the world to hear me saying is that there are risks not only targeting female judges but ordinary women. people are focusing on kabul but couple is not afghanistan. we hear stories outside of the city that extremist groups and i repeating this because

it's very dangerous for the world, basically. extremists are coming from the middle east and other parts of the world because they have been told that they will be given women as property. and then imagine if they have a hand over a female judge because she's been making decisions. also other young girls have been shipped into coffins and dragged and shipped into coffins and dragged and shipped to neighbouring countries to be used as a sex slave. also families were to my parents work force to marry their daughters to the taliban and fighters no matter if afghan orforeign the taliban and fighters no matter if afghan or foreign fighters coming into the country. my argument is here that most of the judges not only thejudges but here that most of the judges not only the judges but also the ordinary young girls that they are having their lives at risk are

trying to get out of the country. particularly the women, ourjudges are very strong but a human rights activist are being promised by the international community that if the national committee will back their work and tell them it's safe to work on women's issues but now these women are on top of the target list. but they are at the bottom of the list in help and being evacuated. goodness me. a very sober assessment of where we are. we will have to leave it there, i'm so sorry but thank you very much indeed for your time. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. stay with us on bbc five days after haiti was hit by an earthquake — the bbc�*s travels to rural parts of the country still reeling from the damage. the comedian sean lock has died of cancer at the age of 58.

known for his surreal content and deadpan style, he's perhaps best known for being a team captain on channel 4's 8 out of 10 cats — for 18 series. ricky gervais is among many performers and writers who have been paying tribute — he said sean lock was one of the most influential comedians of his generation. 0ur entertainment lizo mzimba takes a look back his career. he was one of britain's finest comedians, known for his lightning wit and laid—back style of humour. ijust have one thing, one request. if at any point in the show you are erring on the side of laughter, go with it, yeah? you know if you get to a bit and you go, is that funny? just go wahey! chuck yourself in. his comedy career began in the 1990s and he was soon winning awards and fans across the country. i went for a job recently, a bit of voice—over work. and i actually got offered the part of the speaking clock. but i didn't like the script. and i said, cant we jazz it up a bit?

something like, humpty dumpty sat on a wall. humpty dumpty had a great fall. all the kings horses and all the kings men, coming up to about five plus ten! in the house! his observational humour made him a regular on comedy shows for the next 30 years. i think anyone who's got a twitter account is vain. that's the ultimate sign of vanity. you think people are really interested in what you just mutter. paying tribute, eddie izzard said, farewell, sean, you brought a wonderful comedic talent to the world and you will be missed. jon richardson said i idolised sean as a comic long before i became a comedian myself and ten years working alongside him didn't diminish that in the least. echoing the thoughts of so many by describing sean lock as an incredible comic brain and a truly unique voice.

two global superpowers, russia and the us, have both faced humiliating withdrawals from afghanistan. there is a third global power china that shares a border with afghanistan so how are they likely react to the taliban's takeover? their mutual border is only 47 miles unlike and unlike the us and russia, china has never fought in afghanistan. but the taliban's return and the us withdrawal could present new risks here to explain why is the bbc�*sjowyen feng. it's good to see you. we have the former ambassador to pakistan and washington on the programme last night and he said that pakistan would be approaching it up with some trepidation, what about china? 50 trepidation, what about china? so far the chinese government has towed the noninterference line. for example _ the noninterference line. for example the foreign ministry spokesperson repeatedly said china

respected the choice of the afghan people _ respected the choice of the afghan people and it is ready to be in a friendly— people and it is ready to be in a friendly relationship with afghanistan. top diplomats also in communication with their us counterparts discussing a so—called soft landing of the afghan issue. but the — soft landing of the afghan issue. but the state propaganda in china certainly — but the state propaganda in china certainly did not miss the opportunity to mock the us and phrase — opportunity to mock the us and phrase the taliban victory as the latest _ phrase the taliban victory as the latest chapter of beijing's narrative of american decline. we have narrative of american decline. have been narrative of american decline. - have been talking about the decision by the imf to suspend fonts that were due to go to afghanistan, the americans have frozen funds as well. it is likely that taliban will be looking around for money quite urgently, do you think china could well be a sponsor? it’s urgently, do you think china could well be a sponsor?— well be a sponsor? it's possible. china certainly _ well be a sponsor? it's possible. china certainly does _ well be a sponsor? it's possible. china certainly does not - well be a sponsor? it's possible. china certainly does not want - well be a sponsor? it's possible. i china certainly does not want chaos in centrai— china certainly does not want chaos in central asia so it's top priority will be _ in central asia so it's top priority will be to— in central asia so it's top priority will be to secure the borders at the

same _ will be to secure the borders at the same time — will be to secure the borders at the same time stabilising the region with infrastructure. i think in the short— with infrastructure. i think in the short term — with infrastructure. i think in the short term beijing is likely to adopt— short term beijing is likely to adopt a — short term beijing is likely to adopt a wait and see approach to seek— adopt a wait and see approach to seek assurances from the taliban especially— seek assurances from the taliban especially regarding the support for the militant forces. because the border— the militant forces. because the border between china and afghanistan adjoins _ border between china and afghanistan adjoins the region where beijing is seeing _ adjoins the region where beijing is seeing a _ adjoins the region where beijing is seeing a hotbed of terrorism, or seeds _ seeing a hotbed of terrorism, or seeds. there obviously the americans have been in there. _ obviously the americans have been in there. the _ obviously the americans have been in there, the nato forces. any obviously the americans have been in there, the nato forces.— there, the nato forces. any sort of investment — there, the nato forces. any sort of investment in _ there, the nato forces. any sort of investment in afghanistan - there, the nato forces. any sort of investment in afghanistan at - there, the nato forces. any sort of investment in afghanistan at the i investment in afghanistan at the moment with yellow china does not have any military presence there now. , . .

have any military presence there now. . , . have any military presence there now. , . ., ., , now. just a few weeks ago china's forei . n now. just a few weeks ago china's foreign minister— now. just a few weeks ago china's foreign minister hosted _ now. just a few weeks ago china's foreign minister hosted a - now. just a few weeks ago china's foreign minister hosted a taliban| foreign minister hosted a taliban delegation. china could be one of the first— delegation. china could be one of the first major powers to recognise a taliban— the first major powers to recognise a taliban government and that would be important for the taliban forces so that— be important for the taliban forces so that the — be important for the taliban forces so that the influence right now is what's _ so that the influence right now is what's more symbolic but could be in the future _ what's more symbolic but could be in the future other investments. we are five day on from the earthquake that struck haiti, and still there are many areas of the country where aid has not got through. the death toll is now nearing 2,000 and the medical help is limited to say the very least. the damage left by the quake was compounded on by a tropical storm that stuck earlier this week. the bbc�*s james clayton traveled to some of the more rural parts of the island where many are now desperate for outside assistance. we have just got to a rural location about 25 minutes from the town of les cayes. and what we are seeing here is utter devastation.

more so than in that town. so what we saw there was maybe one in six, one in seven houses that have been flattened, but here pretty much every single house has been totally destroyed. what these houses are made of are things like this, rock, poorly made cement, and it's really, really heavy. and of course when they collapse in a can cause these catastrophic injuries. and that's exactly what has happened here. we just spoke to one woman who lives in that house there and she says that her 15—year—old son, who was just about to finish school, was killed when he was trying to charge his phone. devastating stories everywhere. one of the things that you notice when you come into a place like this is that everyone says exactly the same thing. where is the help, where are the medical supplies, where are the search and rescue teams? there is nothing. people come up to us asking for food, asking for water.

you have got to remember, this is now five days after the earthquake and they have still had absolutely no help here whatsoever. the trial of the grammy—award winning singer r kelly got underway today at a us federal court in new york. the r&b star is accused of racketeering, sexual abuse and bribery — charges which he has denied. if the singer is convicted on all counts he could faces 10 years to life in prison. for r kelly's many accusers, this federal court in brooklyn is where, finally, their voices may be heard. jonjelyn savage is here. for years, she has been pushing for charges against kelly. she says her daughter had been held captive by the musician. the opening statements will open some people's eyes to what we have been knowing for the last five and a half years, when we started this journey, because we knew

something wasn't right and we knew that it had to stop. in those opening statements, prosecutors said kelly targeted, groomed and exploited young girls and boys for his own satisfaction, and that this case is not about a celebrity who likes to party, but a sexual predator. # i believe i can soar... r kelly is one of the most successful artists of all time, credited with redefining r&b music. but in a spectacular fall from grace, the musician has spent the last two years behind bars awaiting trial. kelly and members of his entourage are accused of recruiting women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with the r&b singer. he is also accused of paying victims and witnesses to cover up his alleged crimes. i didn't do this stuff! r kelly has been confronting allegations of sexual abuse for more than two decades, but the only time he faced criminal charges, back in 2008, he was acquitted. these new charges against r kelly are far more serious, and this time several victims will testify against him. but also perhaps

there has been a shift in culture — the me too movement has made it harder for rich, famous abusers to hide their misdeeds. samira hussain, bbc news, new york. death toll of the results of the coup in miramar has exceeded 1000 people. the military overthrew the government in february and cracked down hard on the protests firing live rounds into the crowds and storming towns across the country. the republican governor of texas, and opponent of the mask mandate which show but it has been talking about has tested positive for covid about has tested positive for covid a day after attending an indoor public event. he is now isolating and being tested daily. in the australian airline qantas has require all its employees to be vaccinated against covid. by

mid—november. we will be back at the same time tomorrow night, thank you for watching. hello there. if you're off this week and you're trying to entertain the family outside, it has been quite frustrating at times, hasn't it? there's been a lot of this — a lot of low, grey cloud, some of it thick enough to produce some drizzle as well. and it looks likely that that cloudy theme is going to continue, i'm afraid, certainly for thursday and into friday. so quite a lot of cloud first thing. a few breaks drifting their way west to east, but into the middle of the afternoon, the cloud will continue to thicken and we'll see a few sharp showers developing and these will become more widespread into the latter stages of the afternoon. in terms of the feel of the weather, still a little disappointing for this time of year. 13 to 21 degrees the overall high. but as we move out of thursday into friday, it looks likely that the wind direction will change more to a southerly and that's

going to drag in some warmer air. yes, there's a weather front waiting in the wings, yes, we'll see more in the way of cloud and rain by the end of the afternoon into the west, but ahead of it there will be more in the way of sunshine coming through. that light southerly breeze should inject a little more warmth, 23, 2a degrees not out of the question with the best of the sunshine. and it looks likely that this warmth will continue into the weekend, but that weather front, as it bumps into the warmth, can often bring some wet weather, so it is going to be a little bit of a lottery, i suspect, over the next few days. we tap into some of the heat across the near continent, not the extreme heat that's down through the mediterranean, but the warmer russets across eastern england and that's where the best slice of the drier, sunnier weather is likely to be on saturday. out to the west, some of that rain could be quite heavy at times, with rumbles of thunder mixed in there as well. so it'll be mostly affecting western fringes, but the position of this weather front certainly subject to change. eastern england seeing the best of the sunshine and we could get

temperatures up as high as 25 or 26 degrees. that's the high 70s in terms of fahrenheit. now, as that frontal system continues to bump into that pretty warm humid air, it could continue to trigger off some sharp thundery downpours for a time. so, sunday, some of that rain really could be quite heavy. the position of that front is subject to change, so again, keep abreast of the forecast, but certainly it looks likely be a slightly different story for the second half of the weekend and with the showers around, those temperatures once again back into the low 20s. now that low pressure will take its time to clear away, slow—moving, as it drifts off to the east, but potentially it's then going to allow high pressure to build. now the position of the high is going to be very much subject to the type of weather we get. if the high sits to the north, we once again pick up these cooler northerly winds and so the temperatures will be a little bit more subdued, early showers will ease away. there will be more sunshine around on monday, but once again, temperatures down on where

they should be for the time of year, 15 to 21 celsius. so we've established high pressure to the north keeps things quiet, but not necessarily that much warmer than we've seen just recently. however, towards the end of the week, there's the potential for another area of high pressure to build in from the south—west and the winds swing round to more of a south—westerly direction, a warmer source and that could have an impact on the weather story. so, yes, there will be a good deal of dry weather around. hopefully, a little more sunshine than we've seen of late as well, but the temperatures won't really start to improve until the end of the working week, but certainly it looks a little bit more optimistic if you want to spend outdoor plans and time with the family.

scenes of panic and desperation at kabul airport, as afghans try to flee the country before it's too late. the taliban is controlling airport access. those who've helped the international coalition are eligible to leave — but places are limited. despite assurances from the taliban that anyone linked to the government will be given an amnesty, many here are deeply fearful for their future and that's why we're still seeing these chaotic scenes at the airport. in a heated emergency debate in the commons, borisjohnson was accused of tragic failures towards afghanistan. like many veterans, this last week has been one that has seen me struggle through anger and grief and rage. we must deal with the world as it is, accepting what we've achieved and what we have not achieved. with the uk promising to take 20,000 afghan refugees over time,