this is bbc news. the latest headlines. chaos at kabul airport — even afghans with valid paperwork are struggling to get through, with checkpoints guarded by heavily armed militants. officials say 12 people have been killed in and around kabul airport since sunday. the taliban are urging people without the legal right to travel, to go home. president biden says us troops could remain in afghanistan beyond the end of august, passing his deadline for withdrawal. labour has accused the foreign secretary, dominic raab, of a dereliction of duty, after reports he declined to phone his afghan counterpart to seek help airlifting interpreters out of afghanistan. but the government has defended his actions.

the only problem last week was not a phone call to an afghan government that was melting away and had almost, or didn't have any leverage. the number one challenge at the end of last week was whether the airport would continue to fly, allow planes to fly out, and those people we were getting out, would they be allowed to get out? the largest survey of covid infection in the uk has found that both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines are still offering good protection against the delta variant. and coming up this hour, new research shows the bosses of britain's biggest companies earned 86 times the average full—time wage last year.

hello and welcome to bbc news. the uk is to deploy another company of soldiers to afghanistan to try to deal with the situation at kabul airport, where people are desperately trying to flee the country. twelve people have been killed around the airport since sunday. the taliban are urging people without the legal right to travel to go home. defence secretary ben wallace said the aim is to get about 6,000 people out, but the uk will remain only for as long as "us forces are running the airport". here, the foreign secterary, dominc raab, is accused by labour of shamefully putting interpreters�* lives at risk, by not seeking help from an afghan minister. mr raab�*s colleagues argue that, as the afghan government was "melting away", such a telephone call would have made no difference. 0ne interpreter who worked for uk forces in afghanistan has begged borisjohnson for help, fearing fatal reprisals from the taliban. president biden has said us troops

could remain in afghanistan beyond president biden�*s deadline of the end of the month. and — the president inisted — no americans will be left behind in kabul. the first of our reports comes from david willis in washington. in the afghan capital, people, scared and desperate, are still trying to flee the country. the taliban are coming for me, this girl cries. one of hundreds pressed to the gates of kabul airport in the hope ofjoining a flight out. president biden continues to blame the craven capitulation of the afghan government. he conceded it might not be possible to complete the american withdrawal by the deadline in two weeks�* time. americans should understand that troops might have to be there beyond august 31st?

no, we're going to try to get it done _ no, we're going to try to get it done before august 31. if we don't, we will_ done before august 31. if we don't, we will determine at the time who is left. �* and if we will determine at the time who is left.- and if there _ we will determine at the time who is left. and? and if there is american citizens left. _ left. and? and if there is american citizens left, we _ left. and? and if there is american citizens left, we are _ left. if and if there is american citizens left, we are going to stay until we _ citizens left, we are going to stay until we get them all out. the biden administration _ until we get them all out. the biden administration has _ until we get them all out. the biden administration has brokered - until we get them all out. the biden administration has brokered a - until we get them all out. the biden administration has brokered a deal. administration has brokered a deal with the taliban to allow civilians safe passage to us flights, but with checkpoints throughout the city, bottlenecks are bound and the remit of these us soldiers doesn't extend beyond the airport perimeter. the taliban are _ beyond the airport perimeter. tue: taliban are in beyond the airport perimeter. tte: taliban are in and beyond the airport perimeter. tt9: taliban are in and around beyond the airport perimeter. tt9 taliban are in and around kabul right now, but they are not interfering with our operations. through the state department, the taliban are facilitating the safe passage to the airport of american citizens. that is us passport holders. , , , , citizens. that is us passport holders. , ,, . ., holders. despite its conciliatory tone, few believe _ holders. despite its conciliatory tone, few believe the _ holders. despite its conciliatory tone, few believe the taliban i holders. despite its conciliatory i tone, few believe the taliban will tolerate any challenge to its leadership. a number of demonstrators were reportedly shot

deadin demonstrators were reportedly shot dead in the eastern city of jalalabad after the taliban flag was lowered and the afghan trickle are raised in its place. and having promised a more inclusive approach to government, it is not clear what form that might take. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. our correspondent secunder kermani is in afghanistan's capital kabul and gave us this update on the situation there. we just heard a heavy burst of gunfire that seems to have gone quiet now. we are waiting for details as to what happened but it was heavier than anything we have heard over the past 2a hours from our location. today is a holy day for shia muslims and it could be related to that because there are crowds related to a festival taking place so potentially firing at the crowd, potentially attempts to disperse the crowd, we await those details. in the rest of the city, there are two different scenes.

chaos continuing at the airport, where hundreds, thousands of people probably, have been camped out, trying to get inside, desperate to leave. many of them don't actually have the necessary documentation. it is very unlikely they will be evacuated. but they are still willing to put up with these awful conditions. taliban members are firing into the air trying to control the crowd, using sticks and whips to try to push people back. but elsewhere in the city, aside from this burst of gunfire we've heard just now, things seem to be a great deal calmer than they have been. more shops and restaurants opening up than in previous days and more people coming out and about. banks are closed, as are many government offices. we are seeing fewer women on the streets. you do see some. not necessarily wearing the burqa most people closely associate

with the taliban's last stint in power in the 90s. things are returning to normal, but still deep uncertainty. many people worried that despite taliban assurances, they may be targeted. it is hard to overstate how much of a presence the taliban have in this city. everywhere you go you see heavily armed fighters patrolling in vehicles seized from the security forces or wandering the streets. a very surreal. but this seems to be the new normal in afghanistan, at least for now. as we were saying earlier, the foreign secretary dominc raab is facing criticism over the issue of the government's handling of the evacuation of afghan interpreters. let's speak to our political correspondent chris mason. we correspondent chris mason. will pick up on the issl dominic we will pick up on the issue around dominic raab in a second. but first, what is happening at the airport.

the defence secretary has been talking about this today. and also saying that as long as us troops are there, that uk troops will remain as well? :, :, �* , there, that uk troops will remain as well? :, ., �* , ~ ., well? yeah, that's right. morning. the government _ well? yeah, that's right. morning. the government is _ well? yeah, that's right. morning. the government is grappling - well? yeah, that's right. morning. the government is grappling with | the government is grappling with what is called the new normal, and trying to rapidly catch up with events that we know transparently caught them on the hop at the weekend. and also reacting to what president biden has been saying, with at least the potential that the deadline at the end of this month may slip a little bit and therefore there could be great time to get britons and those who worked for the british military out, if they want to leave afghanistan in the next few weeks. some facts and figures from ben wallace in his interviews this morning. he talked about 115 people and theirfamilies morning. he talked about 115 people and their families leaving morning. he talked about 115 people and theirfamilies leaving in a british aircraft around half past seven uk time this morning. another 138 on the next flight. and between seven and ten planes a day are

heading in and out of kabul. most of those on those plain two are interpreters and others who have worked for british forces over the last 20 years. here is the defence secretary reflecting on the potential for having more time to get people out of kabul. the timetable of august 31 of the existing — the timetable of august 31 of the existing timetable done during may of this_ existing timetable done during may of this year when the americans... the key— of this year when the americans... the key here — of this year when the americans... the key here is, you know, things are changing rapidly. that is why to me every— are changing rapidly. that is why to me every hour counts. that is why i'm me every hour counts. that is why i'm putting — me every hour counts. that is why i'm putting on another company of soldiers _ i'm putting on another company of soldiers today to help with public order _ soldiers today to help with public order to — soldiers today to help with public order to get it through. and if at the end — order to get it through. and if at the end of— order to get it through. and if at the end of the day we are allowed to stay longer, we can't stay longer, then— stay longer, we can't stay longer, then that — stay longer, we can't stay longer, then that is — stay longer, we can't stay longer, then that is a real benefit to us all. every hour counts, says mr wallace. that is why dominic raab is being so heavily criticised over these

reports that he didn't personally call the afghan foreign ministry to ask for urgent help rescuing translators who had worked for the british military a despite, it seems, being advised by senior officials to do so. this is really problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at — problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at the _ problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at the front _ problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at the front page - problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at the front page of - problematic for him, isn't it? yeah, let's look at the front page of this l let's look at the front page of this morning's daily mail, which will not make good reading for dominic raab. this relates to his holiday. he was in crete, in a boutique resort, describes itself as such, for the privileged and the perceptive, it says on their website. the government like perception about what was going on in afghanistan. so there was dominic raab, last friday, in crete. we learned, courtesy of the daily mail, that is officials wanted him to call his then opposite number in afghanistan to talk about the whole business of getting interpreters out, as we have just been talking about. did he make that

call? no he didn't. it was deferred to a morejunior minister to pick up instead. we are told by the foreign office that mr rab was making calls from his hotel room. he wasn't lounging around on the beach all day. so what does he have to say about eight? we are trying to track him down this morning. no sign of him. we know he is back in the country because he was in the house of commons yesterday. here is ben wallace. first of all, i can tell you last friday. — first of all, i can tell you last friday, because i was dealing with it through — friday, because i was dealing with it through the night, on saturday as well, _ it through the night, on saturday as well, the _ it through the night, on saturday as well, the number one problem last week, _ well, the number one problem last week, the — well, the number one problem last week, the only problem last week was not a phone _ week, the only problem last week was not a phone call to an afghan government that was melting away and had almost, or didn't have any leverage. _ had almost, or didn't have any leverage, the number one challenge at the _ leverage, the number one challenge at the end _ leverage, the number one challenge at the end of last week was whether the airport— at the end of last week was whether the airport would continue to fly, to allow— the airport would continue to fly, to allow planes to fly out, and those — to allow planes to fly out, and those people we were getting out, would _ those people we were getting out, would they be allowed to get out? that was _ would they be allowed to get out? that was the number one call. that was the _ that was the number one call. that was the only— that was the number one call. that was the only thing that mattered. that is— was the only thing that mattered.

that is why we were planning troop deployment, which we have now done. and no— deployment, which we have now done. and no amount of phone calls to an afghan— and no amount of phone calls to an afghan government at that moment in time would _ afghan government at that moment in time would have made any difference. what made _ time would have made any difference. what made a difference is what we are doing _ what made a difference is what we are doing now. that is why you are seeing _ are doing now. that is why you are seeing families coming out. and as we are _ seeing families coming out. and as we are on— seeing families coming out. and as we are on the air, i think 119 afghan— we are on the air, i think 119 afghan families and eligible people will he _ afghan families and eligible people will be flying out, followed by another — will be flying out, followed by another few hundred, and nearly up to 1000 _ another few hundred, and nearly up to 1000 over the next 24 hours. that is what _ to 1000 over the next 24 hours. that is what matters now. an interesting line of defence. clearly they might be something in it. we know the speed of the advance of the taliban. we know that by last friday we were getting pretty close —— where they were getting pretty close to kabul. perhaps that goal would have been futile. however, if thatis would have been futile. however, if that is the case and it was known at the time, dominic raab has �*s critics will say, and they are saying this morning, why on earth was he still in crete?—

was he still in crete? chris, thank ou ve was he still in crete? chris, thank you very much- — was he still in crete? chris, thank you very much. chris _ was he still in crete? chris, thank you very much. chris mason - was he still in crete? chris, thank you very much. chris mason in . you very much. chris mason in westminster. i can speak now to danjarvis, the labour mp for barnsley central and mayorfor sheffield city region. he's a former officer in the parachute regiment and served in afghanistan. mrjarvis, thank you forjoining us. i want to start by asking you what you make of that defence of dominic raab by ben wallace, saying no amount of phone calls to an afghan government at that time, last friday, would have made any difference to what was going on with the situation with the interpreters? well, we will probably never know if that was the case or not. but it seems to me that at a point of international crisis the foreign secretary should be at his desk and not on the beach. so i think it is right to the questions are being answered about the way in which the government has responded to this unfolding crisis in afghanistan. i think it is incumbent upon them now to demonstrate that they are getting a grip of the situation, that they are engaging with international allies, working with partners in the region, doing everything they

possibly can to speed the evacuation effort that is currently under way, and to avert a humanitarian catastrophe that afghanistan is facing. catastrophe that afghanistan is facina. ~ :, ., , . facing. would you have expected the foreian facing. would you have expected the foreign secretary _ facing. would you have expected the foreign secretary to _ facing. would you have expected the foreign secretary to make _ facing. would you have expected the foreign secretary to make that - facing. would you have expected the foreign secretary to make that call l foreign secretary to make that call personally, no matter how close the taliban were to kabul at that point, to take charge of that himself? well, i would have thought so, yes, given the proximity of the taliban. all the more reason to actually be pressing these particular points. but the reality is that the lack of attention and support for afghan interpreters goes back some years. i am dealing this morning with afghan interpreters that supported the british forces over a number of years, who applied under the scheme many months ago. i think it was the house of commons defence select committee that three years ago raised concerns about the lack of care and attention by the british government for those afghan interpreters who had worked so closely with us as part of the

mission. so the roots of this lack of care and attention, and this lack of care and attention, and this lack of support, go back many months, if not years. and that is why now, there is urgent need to engage diplomatically with the new regime to do everything we possibly can, leaving the international community, to maximise the chances of getting as many people out of the country as we can possibly get out. let as many people out of the country as we can possibly get out.— we can possibly get out. let me develop those _ we can possibly get out. let me develop those points. _ we can possibly get out. let me develop those points. ben - we can possibly get out. let me i develop those points. ben wallace saying earlier as long as the us troops, as long as they are running the airport, kabul airport, troops, as long as they are running the airport, kabulairport, uk troops will stay. this ties in with some of the points theresa may was raising in the debate in the house of commons yesterday. where is global braking, what is global britain? about the idea of putting together, irrespective of what the us is doing, a coalition of countries willing to run things at the airport, or where it might be. do you think the uk should still be trying to do that, and not be

necessarily beholden to the american timetable? t necessarily beholden to the american timetable? :, , ,:, , necessarily beholden to the american timetable? :, , ,., , ., timetable? i absolutely do. the prime minister _ timetable? i absolutely do. the prime minister is _ timetable? i absolutely do. the prime minister is the _ timetable? i absolutely do. the prime minister is the chair - timetable? i absolutely do. the prime minister is the chair of i timetable? i absolutely do. the | prime minister is the chair of the g7. we are a un security member. we are still able to wield considerable influence in the world. but that requires urgent activity. that requires urgent activity. that requires the prime minister, the foreign secretary and others picking up foreign secretary and others picking up the fun and engaging with the international allies, nato, the united nations, and talking to regional partners and getting their sense of what can be done within the region. so i think the government's response has felt very reactive. if you were being charitable you could say that everyone had been taken aback by the speed of the taliban advance. but i think what yesterday's important recall of parliament showed was that there has been a lack of foresight and there has been a lack of meaningful strategic, diplomatic engagement,

and the government is now playing catch up, and it needs to do so urgently, not least because we have this ongoing mission under to recover as many british passport holders and other entitled personnel as we possibly can. the really big job for the government is to demonstrate they are on top of this crisis. so far they haven't appeared as if they have been. in crisis. so far they haven't appeared as if they have been.— as if they have been. in terms of those channels _ as if they have been. in terms of those channels of— as if they have been. in terms of| those channels of communication as if they have been. in terms of- those channels of communication with the taliban, what do you think the nature of those should be? t the taliban, what do you think the nature of those should be?- nature of those should be? i don't think that, — nature of those should be? i don't think that, at _ nature of those should be? i don't think that, at this _ nature of those should be? i don't think that, at this stage, - nature of those should be? i don't think that, at this stage, we - nature of those should be? i don'tl think that, at this stage, we should formally recognise the taliban. but unpalatable as it is, it is in our interests to engage diplomatically with the new regime in kabul, not least in securing safe passage for those currently trying to get out of the country, but also thinking slightly to the medium and longer term, there are a number of international aid agencies operating international aid agencies operating in afghanistan. we need to work with the new regime in kabul to ensure that they are content with their activities to continue, because if they are not, and if we are not able

to avert that humanitarian catastrophe, then hundreds of thousands of people will suffer as a consequence. and the prospect of afghanistan sliding back to where it was before 9/11 is even greater. so it is in our national interest, difficult though it may be, to engage with the new regime and actually try to bring to bear the influence of the international community. and i expect the prime minister and the foreign secretary to play a leading role in trying to do that. t to play a leading role in trying to do that. , :, to play a leading role in trying to do that. , ., :, ., i. do that. i 'ust want to ask you, finall , do that. i just want to ask you, finally, importantly, _ do that. i just want to ask you, finally, importantly, but- do that. i just want to ask you, - finally, importantly, but something close to your heart as a veteran, about what veterans of afghanistan are going through right now as they watch what is unfolding in the country, clearly challenging from a mental health perspective for many of them. what are your thoughts on that? what help is there for them if they are struggling?— they are struggling? look, i think over many _ they are struggling? look, i think over many years _ they are struggling? look, i think over many years we _ they are struggling? look, i think over many years we have - they are struggling? look, i think- over many years we have systemically failed to put in place the support thatis failed to put in place the support that is required for our veterans. this has been a heartbreaking period for them. we invested such a lot of

effort, so much sacrifice has gone into afghanistan, and i think we have an absolute responsibility now, through the mod, through the department of health, but also working closely with are micro service challenges, to make sure all of those members of the armed forces and veterans who served in afghanistan, where they are suffering as a consequence of that service, they must get the support that they need and deserve. i thought there was a really important point made yesterday by keir starmer when he talked about the service and the sacrifice that our armed forces had made in afghanistan. inevitably people are asking questions as to whether it was worth it. the service that was made by our armed forces is usually appreciated and valued and they should all be very proud of all that they did to deliver real progress in afghanistan over a number of years. we have a number of —— we have an obligation to look out for them and that is absolutely what we should be doing as a country. dan jarvis, we should be doing as a country. dan jarvis. thank— we should be doing as a country. dan jarvis, thank you for your time today. we can speak now to

izhar who works for an aid agency in kabul. because of concerns for his safety, we have agreed to not reveal his surname or say which agency he works for. ido i do appreciate, given the security concerns, you speaking to us today. i want to begin by asking you how life has changed in kabul over the last few days?— life has changed in kabul over the last few days? thank you so much. thank ou last few days? thank you so much. thank you for— last few days? thank you so much. thank you for giving _ last few days? thank you so much. thank you for giving me _ last few days? thank you so much. thank you for giving me an - thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak. yes, i think everything just changed in the blink of an eye. it was something that created a fear and a terror all along the country.

things are uncertain. even though todayit things are uncertain. even though today it is independence day, the majority of people are still inside their homes. that is the kind of environment created by the taliban in kabul and the whole country. it is uncertain. inaudible. people are staying at home as much as possible. 0ne

people are staying at home as much as possible. one issue which is drastic is the issue of millions of people gathering at the airport. foreign countries like the uk, the us, they are evacuating people. this has created a kind of situation that the people running from kabul and other parts of the country, they are borrowing money from others. they are trying their luck. that has created a kind of situation that those are eligible for help, they

are... sorry to interrupt you. we have been reporting around these issues about documentation and what people are being told around the airport. in terms of the work that you do, to what extent are you able to continue with that aid work? and what it is the situation for your female colleagues, family and friends? we are colleagues, family and friends? 9 are trying our best. kabul was the last to collapse. people from areas that collapsed earlier have come to kabul. people were a lovely park and other public places. —— were all over the park. we were able to

deliver aid. we created a group here with all those agencies working here. we need more resources and more funds to respond to this crisis. inaudible. but nobody is responding to that group. all the people on the run now... those who are displaced, they

are more in a situation that... inaudible. that is how it is happening here. thank you very much for explaining that to us. stay safe and thank you for talking to us today. we will return to the situation they very shortly. but we want to bring you this story. the largest survey of covid infection in the uk has found that both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines are still offering good protection against the delta variant. the research, led by oxford university, suggests that while the pfizerjab works best initially, both are equally as effective in the long term. i'm joined now by professor peter 0penshaw, professor of experimental medicine at imperial college london and a member of the uk vaccine network.

professor, good to have you with us. thank you very much. as far as you are concerned, one of the most —— what are the most significant findings of this survey? well, i think it's very _ findings of this survey? well, i think it's very interesting - findings of this survey? well, i think it's very interesting to i findings of this survey? well, i think it's very interesting to be able to look in detail at how the different vaccines compare, using these very, very large databases that we have in the uk. i think it showsjust that we have in the uk. i think it shows just what that we have in the uk. i think it showsjust what can that we have in the uk. i think it shows just what can be done if you can tap into the sort of resources that the office for national statistics has, and combine that with all of the work that is being donein with all of the work that is being done in oxford on the vaccines. and i think what it shows is that these two main vaccines being used, the pfizer—biontech and the astrazeneca vaccine from oxford, seem to operate in a slightly different way. so the rna vaccine seems to deliver very rapid protection. but that doesn't may be last as long as the protection which you can get against

infection if you look at the results from the... may be inducing slightly different indian characteristics, which is really important. tt different indian characteristics, which is really important. if both vaccines are _ which is really important. if both vaccines are offering _ which is really important. if both vaccines are offering good - vaccines are offering good protection against the delta variant, what does that say about the idea of offering boosters? right. it is offering good protection against the more severe disease. that is very important to emphasise. there still is breakthrough infection in the proportion of people, even if they have been doubly vaccinated. the question about brewster's is a contentious one. we really need specific studies on the effect of boosters. those studies are ongoing. we should not prejudge those. everyone is very keen that if we do have surplus vaccines, that they are not necessarily used in this country but might be sent overseas to be used in people who are in desperate

need of vaccination. essen used in people who are in desperate need of vaccination.— need of vaccination. even if antibody — need of vaccination. even if antibody levels _ need of vaccination. even if antibody levels have - need of vaccination. even if i antibody levels have reduced need of vaccination. even if - antibody levels have reduced and the vaccinations are still actually offering a goodly deal of protection, and you are not seen, for example, an increase in hospitalisation, serious illness, etc, as you say, data is needed to determine whether the boosters are necessary or a good idea at that point? necessary or a good idea at that oint? �* :, , :,, point? but there are people with im aired point? but there are people with impaired immune _ point? but there are people with impaired immune systems. - point? but there are people with - impaired immune systems. boosters will be necessary for them. they won't have felt a very good response when they have been giving the two vaccines. there are specific groups who will benefit. but as a general boost to the vaccine programme, i think we really need to look at the data more. think we really need to look at the data more-— think we really need to look at the data more. :, ,:, , . data more. one of the points which reali to data more. one of the points which reality to briefly _ data more. one of the points which reality to briefly earlier _ data more. one of the points which reality to briefly earlier is _ data more. one of the points which reality to briefly earlier is the - reality to briefly earlier is the fully vaccinated who become vaccinated with the delta variant have similar levels of the virus to the unvaccinated. their viral load was much lower. what does that tell

us about the ability of fully vaccinated people to transmit the virus, and what does it tell us about being wary about any new variants that might emerge? yes. about being wary about any new variants that might emerge? yes, ok. the level of— variants that might emerge? yes, ok. the level of virus _ variants that might emerge? yes, ok. the level of virus that _ variants that might emerge? yes, ok. the level of virus that you _ variants that might emerge? yes, ok. the level of virus that you estimate i the level of virus that you estimate using the pcr reaction isjust the level of virus that you estimate using the pcr reaction is just based on how much of the viral genome there is. it doesn't tell you how much of the infectious virus is present. there is some evidence that people who have been vaccinated, in whom there is a breakthrough, the levels are quite high, they do decline more quickly in people who have been vaccinated, or in people who maybe have immunity because of some previous exposure. so the rate of decline may be greater. therefore, the infectious period might be different if you have been vaccinated. and i don't think these data will actually help to resolve that particular issue. tqm.

that particular issue. ok, professor, _ that particular issue. ok, professor, good - that particular issue. ok, professor, good to - that particular issue. ok, professor, good to talk i that particular issue. ok, | professor, good to talk to that particular issue. 0k, professor, good to talk to you, as ever. professor peter 0penshaw. the time is a must past nine. time for the weather. he was carol. from tomorrow and into the weekend, we are looking at the weather turning more humid. today, a fair bit of cloud, sunnier breaks by a week weatherfront bit of cloud, sunnier breaks by a week weather front bringing rain across england and wales. behind that, a return to sunshine and showers. scotland and northern ireland, brighter breaks but still a lot of cloud, thick enough for patchy light rain and drizzle with a breeze not as strong as yesterday. the night, we hang onto a few of those showers, clear spells developing, mist and fog patches forming, i knew weatherfront developing, mist and fog patches forming, i knew weather front will start to show its hand making its way into the west of northern ireland. as a result, not a cold night. some of us start with sunny skies tomorrow, mist and fog

lifting, variable amounts of cloud around, bringing rain across northern ireland into south—west scotland and north—west england, the second following hot on its heels bringing further rain into northern ireland. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... chaos at kabul airport. even afghans with valid paperwork are struggling to get through, with checkpoints guarded by heavily armed militants. officials say 12 people have been killed in and around kabul airport since sunday. the taliban are urging people without the legal right to travel to go home. president biden says us troops could remain in afghanistan beyond the end of august, passing his deadline for withdrawal. labour has accused the foreign secretary, dominic raab, of a dereliction of duty, after reports he declined to phone his afghan counterpart to seek help airlifting interpreters out of afghanistan. but the government has defended his actions.

the largest survey of covid infection in the uk has found that both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines are still offering good protection against the delta variant. councils across england are preparing to house up to 20,000 afghan refugees over the next few years, following the taliban's takeover. more than 200 afghan nationals have already resettled in the uk since 2010. 0ur reporter luxmy gopal has been to meet some of them, to hear their experiences. images capturing the desperation to leave. watching the news footage were those who have some idea of what they are hoping to escape from. the first time the taliban came, the force people, praying, dressing,

everything. tiis force people, praying, dressing, everything-— everything. his wife and their sisters had — everything. his wife and their sisters had a _ everything. his wife and their sisters had a difficult - everything. his wife and their sisters had a difficult life - everything. his wife and their| sisters had a difficult life after their mother was widowed living under taliban rule in the 90s with restricted rights for women. tide restricted rights for women. we could not go to school and when you are going _ could not go to school and when you are going outside, there should be a man with _ are going outside, there should be a man with you. are going outside, there should be a man with yog— are going outside, there should be a man with yom— are going outside, there should be a man with you. they moved to the uk with their children _ man with you. they moved to the uk with their children just _ man with you. they moved to the uk with their children just under - man with you. they moved to the uk with their children just under a - with their children just under a decade ago. t with their children 'ust under a decade ago-h with their children 'ust under a decade ago. with their children 'ust under a decade ao. :, , : :, decade ago. i am secure here, i am safe here because _ decade ago. i am secure here, i am safe here because in _ decade ago. i am secure here, i am safe here because in afghanistan i safe here because in afghanistan when you wanted to go to the office or, you are not sure that you will reach the office because there was many suicide attacks and the situation was really bad. can you remember _ situation was really bad. can you remember what _ situation was really bad. can you remember what it _ situation was really bad. can you remember what it was _ situation was really bad. can you remember what it was like - situation was really bad. can you - remember what it was like adjusting when you arrive? t remember what it was like ad'usting when you arrive?* remember what it was like ad'usting when you arrive? i didn't understand the language. _ when you arrive? i didn't understand the language. it _ when you arrive? i didn't understand the language, it took _ when you arrive? i didn't understand the language, it took me _ when you arrive? i didn't understand the language, it took me a _ when you arrive? i didn't understand the language, it took me a while, i l the language, it took me a while, i was a _ the language, it took me a while, i was a bit _ the language, it took me a while, i was a bit naughty— the language, it took me a while, i was a bit naughty at _ the language, it took me a while, i was a bit naughty at school. - the language, it took me a while, i. was a bit naughty at school. because when _ was a bit naughty at school. because when the _ was a bit naughty at school. because when the talk — was a bit naughty at school. because when the talk nicely, _ was a bit naughty at school. because when the talk nicely, i _ was a bit naughty at school. because when the talk nicely, i thought - was a bit naughty at school. because when the talk nicely, i thought theyl when the talk nicely, i thought they were shouting _ when the talk nicely, i thought they were shouting-— were shouting. ad'usting plot challengesh were shouting. ad'usting plot challenges for _ were shouting. adjusting plot challenges for the _ were shouting. adjusting plot challenges for the adults. - were shouting. adjusting plot - challenges for the adults. despite having high positions and salaries

working at international organisations in afghanistan, all they could get in the uk were part—timejobs in a shop or volunteering. tide part-time jobs in a shop or volunteering.— part-time jobs in a shop or volunteerinu. 9 ,, part-time jobs in a shop or volunteerinu. ~ ~' :, volunteering. we were thinking would i to there volunteering. we were thinking would i go there because _ volunteering. we were thinking would i go there because i _ volunteering. we were thinking would i go there because i already _ volunteering. we were thinking would i go there because i already have - i go there because i already have education — i go there because i already have education and qualifications. it will be — education and qualifications. it will be easy to find a job, unfortunately when i apply for several — unfortunately when i apply for severaljobs, they say you don't have _ severaljobs, they say you don't have the — severaljobs, they say you don't have the experience of working here. there _ have the experience of working here. there was _ have the experience of working here. there was a — have the experience of working here. there was a cleaning job, they asked would _ there was a cleaning job, they asked would you _ there was a cleaning job, they asked would you like to apply for that job? _ would you like to apply for that job? and — would you like to apply for that job? and they know my background, everything. — job? and they know my background, everything, so it was hurting you. for this _ everything, so it was hurting you. for this woman, current developments bring back difficult memories of her childhood before herfather moved in the uk. t childhood before her father moved in the uk. :, �* , . ., the uk. i don't remember much about what happened _ the uk. i don't remember much about what happened at _ the uk. i don't remember much about what happened at that _ the uk. i don't remember much about what happened at that time. - the uk. i don't remember much about what happened at that time. all - the uk. i don't remember much about what happened at that time. all i - what happened at that time. all i know, that my father was not safe, he had to escape. she know, that my father was not safe, he had to escape.— he had to escape. she arrived as a 13-year-old _ he had to escape. she arrived as a 13-year-old who _ he had to escape. she arrived as a 13-year-old who could _ he had to escape. she arrived as a 13-year-old who could not - he had to escape. she arrived as a 13-year-old who could not speak l 13—year—old who could not speak english. tt 13-year-old who could not speak enalish. :, , 13-year-old who could not speak enalish. :,, , . ., english. it was difficult at the start. especially _ english. it was difficult at the start. especially being - english. it was difficult at the start. especially being a - english. it was difficult at the i start. especially being a muslim girl and start. especially being a muslim girland going to start. especially being a muslim girl and going to school not knowing

the language, culture, the environment. i think i did face a of challenges in terms of release, calling me names, and to go back to your country, the opportunity of just going to school was a big thing for me, so there was nothing to stop me. ,, , ., ., , , me. she studied law at university and is now _ me. she studied law at university and is now working _ me. she studied law at university and is now working at _ me. she studied law at university and is now working at a _ me. she studied law at university and is now working at a solicitors| and is now working at a solicitors training to be a lawyer. she is in herfinal year training to be a lawyer. she is in her final year of training to be a lawyer. she is in herfinal year of a nursing degree and he is training to be a health assistant and their children are very much settled. what's your advice to other children coming here from afghanistan to help them adjust in future? from afghanistan to help them ad'ust in future? �* , :, ., in future? don't be scared to ask auestions in future? don't be scared to ask questions if _ in future? don't be scared to ask questions if you _ in future? don't be scared to ask questions if you don't _ in future? don't be scared to ask| questions if you don't understand something — questions if you don't understand something-— questions if you don't understand somethina. , :, :, :, .,~ something. there is no one to take care of him — something. there is no one to take care of him at _ something. there is no one to take care of him at the _ something. there is no one to take care of him at the moment. - something. there is no one to take care of him at the moment. now i something. there is no one to take i care of him at the moment. now their attention has — care of him at the moment. now their attention has turned _ care of him at the moment. now their attention has turned to _ care of him at the moment. now their attention has turned to their- attention has turned to their father, one of the many people wanting to get into the uk. the

government has pledged to settle 5000 refugees in the first year. this man is from a charity that helps refugees with issues they face. :, :, :, ., , , face. how to orientate themselves, how to settle _ face. how to orientate themselves, how to settle the _ face. how to orientate themselves, how to settle the children, - face. how to orientate themselves, how to settle the children, start - how to settle the children, start thinking — how to settle the children, start thinking about getting work. developing language skills. processing the trauma of being in exile _ processing the trauma of being in exile. he— processing the trauma of being in exile. . :, :, exile. he welcomed the government resonse exile. he welcomed the government response but — exile. he welcomed the government response but says _ exile. he welcomed the government response but says more _ exile. he welcomed the government response but says more is _ exile. he welcomed the government response but says more is needed. l response but says more is needed. ideal response is a resettlement programme across tooth years, 10,000 each year— programme across tooth years, 10,000 each year plus some kind of additional programme that simply brings— additional programme that simply brings people to safety without necessarily putting them in a full resettlement programme. driven from their motherland, _ resettlement programme. driven from their motherland, these _ resettlement programme. driven from their motherland, these families - resettlement programme. driven from their motherland, these families nowl their motherland, these families now watch others face the same fate. with me now is lou calvey, head of services at refugee action and one of the uk's

authorities on resettlement. you are aware there has been criticism of the language used around this, talking about settling 20,000 refugees over the next few years. working with local authorities to assess the capacity they have. that has to be done. some people have said it lacks a sense of urgency given the crisis. what are your thoughts. urgency given the crisis. what are your thoughts-— your thoughts. absolutely. i think the announcement _ your thoughts. absolutely. i think the announcement we _ your thoughts. absolutely. i think the announcement we had - your thoughts. absolutely. i think the announcement we had all - your thoughts. absolutely. i think the announcement we had all the | the announcement we had all the welcome is one measure that needs to be put in place and really, that announcement around refugee resettlement lacks the scale and pace of the situation that obviously we are seeing unfolding in afghanistan. it is important to remember on friday the united nations released a statement saying it basically warned without a significant de—escalation in

violence, afghanistan was on course to witness the highest ever numbers of documented civilian casualties in a single year since records began and that the announcement of 5000 over the last 12 months is pretty much the same as we have been doing over the last five years with the syrian resettlement scheme. essentially that announcement represents pretty much business as usual and we think in the scale of the situation in afghanistan, surely we need to be doing much more than usual. : , :, :, we need to be doing much more than usual. : i. :, , :,, usual. are you worried if people don't aet usual. are you worried if people don't get out — usual. are you worried if people don't get out now— usual. are you worried if people don't get out now and _ usual. are you worried if people don't get out now and i - usual. are you worried if people don't get out now and i mean i usual. are you worried if people don't get out now and i mean in j usual. are you worried if people - don't get out now and i mean in the next few days and weeks, that they won't be able to get out? yes. auain, won't be able to get out? yes. again. we _ won't be able to get out? yes. again, we have _ won't be able to get out? yes. again, we have to _ won't be able to get out? yes. again, we have to be - won't be able to get out? yes. again, we have to be mindful. won't be able to get out? yes. | again, we have to be mindful of won't be able to get out? 1913 again, we have to be mindful of the limitations of refugee resettlement scheme. what's critically, the are not evacuating the people of afghanistan, they are offering resettlement places. resettlement places typically work with people that have already left their home

country. it does not offer a route for people currently trapped in afghanistan to leave afghanistan. it will work with those afghan refugees that are already in pakistan, iran and the surrounding countries. and enable them to gain a safe route into a resettlement country, although 5000 will not touch the sides of that need and it certainly won't help people within afghanistan, that would be an evacuation programme which the government are not announcing. tit government are not announcing. in terms of once people arrive from afghanistan, what's in place for them to resettle them and set them up them to resettle them and set them up in a new life. them to resettle them and set them up in a new life-— up in a new life. resettlement is a challenging _ up in a new life. resettlement is a challenging journey _ up in a new life. resettlement is a challenging journey for _ up in a new life. resettlement is a challenging journey for a _ up in a new life. resettlement is a challenging journey for a refugee l up in a new life. resettlement is a l challenging journey for a refugee to undertake. i was listening to your footage just before i undertake. i was listening to your footagejust before i came on. with the refugees that you have

interviewed. it is really challenging to learn about life in a brand—new country and culture. you might not have chosen to resettle in the uk or germany or spain or france or whenever it is that accepts you by the us, but essentially this programme is fully funded by the home office. local authorities will be repairing the homes in advance, preparing meeting any of their medical needs. so that they keep the address and charities like ours will be there to support them from the point of their arrival. we support refugees for the first 12 months of their integration in the uk, teaching them about life in the uk from learning english to recovering from learning english to recovering from some of their trauma, having their health care needs met but also practical things like post office, how to get on a bus, opening a bank

account. we have seen previously through the syrian crisis when we have opened the resettlement programme position of outcome within our communities is significant. people want to support refugees and i think this government announcement is out of pace with the appetite for helping the situation that we are seeing in our communities. tide helping the situation that we are seeing in our communities. we must leave it there — seeing in our communities. we must leave it there but _ seeing in our communities. we must leave it there but interesting - seeing in our communities. we must leave it there but interesting to - leave it there but interesting to see what you have to say. thank you for your time. sport and a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. good morning. the first day of the women's open is underway at carnoustie with a significant increase in prize money which makes it the most lucrative championship on the women's calendar. it's the final golf major of the year and it'll be an extra special one for the winner at carnoustie. bbc�*s golf correspondent iain carter is there for us. iain, what's the purse and how much

has it increased by? it has increased to $5.8 million and if you go backjust three or four years, that's doubling of the purse and further not more it will increase further to $6.8 million by the time we get to next year. the players are absolutely thrilled with the development. it's not equal prize money, it still only around half the person then competed for at the open championship month ago, but the open championship month ago, but the players are united in welcoming the players are united in welcoming the move, they reckon it is a real step in the right direction. and due recognition of their talent and it does make the women's open now the most lucrative of the five majors in the women's game. it's early days, but what's been happening on the course this morning? it has been very wet and overcast,

breezy, not the most pleasant of golf conditions, nelly korda really is the centre of attention, she got off to a fine start a couple of birdies and pars, dropped a shot at the 5th, so that means she is one under par, currently two shots off the lead. jointly held by two others. ., ~ the lead. jointly held by two others. ., ,, , the lead. jointly held by two others. :, ~' , : tottenham fans want the answer to this one, where will harry kane be playing his football? the england captain hasn't travelled with the tottenham squad for their european match tonight amid speculation over his future at the club. kane, who's been linked with a move to manchester city, hasn't flown to portugal for spurs' europa conference league play—off first leg against pacos de ferreira. it's thought kane is still working on his fitness and manager nuno espirito santo says he can't confirm whether he will be ready for their league game against wolves on saturday.

what's happening behind the doors is harry is our player, he's preparing himself, he trained today and he's going to train tomorrow and again on friday. joining the group. and this is how we operate. we don't, we don't really pay much attention to what's being said outside regarding the situation. harry is our player, he's one of the best players in the world and we are very lucky to have him. both celtic�*s men and women's teams were in european action last night, one doing better than the other. the men's team had a great night in glasgow, beating dutch side az alkmaar 2—0 in the first leg of their europa league play—off. but the women's team are out of the first qualifying round of the champions league. they were beaten 2—1 by spanish side levante, despite this goal from caitlin hayes. andy murray is out of the cincinnati masters after losing to ninth seed hubert hurkacz.

it was the first meeting on the tour between the two players, with two—time champion murray beaten in straight sets by the 24—year—old pole. british number two heather watson is also out. she lost to world number one ashleigh barty in straight sets. it was the australian's first match since losing in the first round at the tokyo olympics and she needed a tie—break to beat watson. that's all the sport for now. the bosses of britain's biggest companies earned 86 times the average full—time wage last year. the median pay of a chief executive of a ftse—100 firm, the uk's blue chip company index, was £2.69m in 2020, according to the independent research institute, the high pay centre. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity has more.

put this into context. as the median pay of britain's chief executives going up relative to the average weight? going up relative to the average weiuht? :, , :, :, :, weight? no, it is going down. from extremely exorbitant _ weight? no, it is going down. from extremely exorbitant to _ weight? no, it is going down. from extremely exorbitant to just - weight? no, it is going down. from extremely exorbitant to just very i extremely exorbitant to just very exorbitant. if you look at 2019, the average chief executive pay was 107 times as much as the average work, now it is merely 86 times as much as the average worker. the high pay centre says to some extent that suggests this is, the system is working. if you want executive awards to be in line with their company performance, a lot of companies have not done well in the pandemic, therefore it would make sense with profits down their award should go down. but it's not quite as simple as that. it has always been difficult the justification given for very high executive

rewards, namely that if you want good shareholder value, improvements in the share price, better dividends, you have got to have top talent so it is like footballers. you have to pay whatever it takes to get that top talent in order to get a good performance. if you look at this year it's interesting, the top paid guy in the top hundred companies listed on the london stock exchange was the chief executive of astrazeneca. he would have thought maybe he does deserve his reward, the vaccine meant they made big profits. no, actually. what he did was offer to distribute the vaccine at no profit. therefore that's cost the company topline and bottom—line because they are distributing it at no profit and yet when you think about whether it has been a successful year for astrazeneca i think most people would say yes. the improvements to the country repeat company public reputation and the good it has been seen to be doing to public health are incalculable and

therefore even though it has not done much for their bottom line i doubt shareholders will begrudge him his salary. fin doubt shareholders will begrudge him his sala . ,:, :, his salary. on the point of reputation, _ his salary. on the point of reputation, you _ his salary. on the point of reputation, you see - his salary. on the point of reputation, you see the i reputation, you see the justification for such high salary is pretty nuanced. but in terms of reputation or any company doing anything radically different to the others with regard to their boss's p? others with regard to their boss's .7 , : ., others with regard to their boss's p? yes. what you are looking at with shares and share _ p? yes. what you are looking at with shares and share prices, _ p? yes. what you are looking at with shares and share prices, it _ p? yes. what you are looking at with shares and share prices, it goes - p? yes. what you are looking at with shares and share prices, it goes up l shares and share prices, it goes up or down unrelated to decisions a chief executive has taken and one thing the centre are seeing is the key to the survival and success has been government support, not decisions their executives have taken and that applies to companies who have not taken for low money because they have still benefited indirectly also if the government had not stepped in with vast support from the economy we would have been

looking at a much sharper contraction in demand and that would mean less demand for the company products, less profits. the taxpayer has stepped in and rescued everyone through the pandemic. to some extent, you can say whatever awards the chief executives are getting are more a matter of luck and good fortune and government support than anything in particular they have done. the future ownership of the supermarket chain morrisons is in the spotlight again, a huge new takeover bid is expected later today. our business presenter ben thompson has more. a big money battle. it could determine the future of our fourth largest supermarket. as one commentator put it, "you wait more than a century for a takeover bid and then three arrive all at once." so, what's going on? well, back injune, morrisons turned down a £55 billion offer from an american finance company called clayton, dubilier & rice. they used to own b&m bargains.

they also run a number of petrol stations here in the uk and are getting advice on their takeover plans from the former boss of tesco's. that sparked a bidding war and last month anotherfinance group entered the fray. it offered more than £6 billion. fortress, as it's known, runs majestic wine. that bid was accepted and it looked like a done deal, if shareholders agreed. but then another potential buyer, apollo, joined the battle. that prompted fortress to raise their offer again. so all eyes are now back on the original bidder to see if they up their bid too. it's all a far cry from morrisons very humble beginnings. here's where it all began. a market stall in bradford in 1899, selling eggs and butter. it was run by a mr william morrison.

that stall became a small shop, but in more than half a century, very little else changed. morrisons grey into the supermarket we know today. had stores in the north of england. in 2004, it bought its rival safeway for £3 billion. that gave morrisons a bigger slice of the market in the south. the merger was not an easy marriage, butjoining forces made morrisons the uk's fourth biggest supermarket. for many years it was runby this man. and his approach to retail was simple. what we're trying to do here is recreate the atmosphere in a market, which really is a little touch of nostalgia where you can choose your fish, you can look at it. just like fish markets used to be in the old days. but ultimately, for him, it all came down to price. you want to know what a bogof is, well, i'll tell you. it's buy one, get one free.

greatly appreciated by all the shopping public. here we go. twice the quantity, same price. under sir ken's watch, morrisons became a jewel in the crown of british retail. he died in 2017 at the age of 85. you might wonder quite what he would make of all the fuss. morrisons has been counting the cost of the pandemic. it announced its profits had have but remember morrisons is very different from some other supermarkets because it owns a lot of suppliers, factories, farms and even the stores themselves, that's particularly attractive for investment firms like the one bidding for morrisons because they can sell many of them to raise cash and then rent them back. the company employs more than 100,000 staff and the unions are worried about what any takeover could mean for them. there is always nervousness about deals like this.

both bettors are currently trying to convince the bosses and shareholders they would be best suited to take on they would be best suited to take on the morrisons market stall legacy, notjust the morrisons market stall legacy, not just about cutting costs the morrisons market stall legacy, notjust about cutting costs and raising profits. we will find out very soon if the money on offer will go up, go up, if not, shareholders will vote on that latest bid and we will keep you updated if there is any movement for the fourth largest retailer in the uk. would—be knights in medieval armour are battling it out with steel swords and axes in new york's central park. as tim allman explains, it's all part of a new fitness craze. it was another age, another place. a time, we are told, of chivalry, honour and violence. lots and lots of violence. now you can try it out for yourself, here in new york's central park. these are gladiators nyc,

a group who meet up once a month, put on steel armour and then attack each other. it is a combination of medieval compact and mixed martial arts, although there is not much chivalry involved. victory is really not the main point of the fighting for me. i am nowhere near good enough to compete for any sort of place or title or medals. i don't have the time, i don't have the energy, i don't have the money for the kit. so i'm just here for the violence — dish and receive. this is pretty gruelling stuff. the armour can weigh up to 45 kilos or more, and it was all the brainchild of a former gladiator of wall street who says he's trying to make a positive difference. we just hit the core of it, which is, be healthy, do fitness. when you start to do more fitness, you eat more healthy, you change your lifestyle, and now we are saving lives. it is a free programme available

to anyone who is interested. a chance to improve your fitness and, who knows, become a knight of the big apple. tim allman, bbc news. the tissue used by lionel messi during his farewell adress to the spanish football club fc barcelona is being sold at auction. the tear—soaked tissue was put on the market by an anonymous seller, with the price set at one—million dollars. messi announced earlier this month he would be leaving barcelona, ending his 21—year spell at the club. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. from tomorrow, right the way up to sunday by day and by gnith, from tomorrow, right the way up to sunday by day and by night, it is going to become more humid than it has been but to once again there is a lot of cloud around, thick enough for some patchy light rain or some drizzle and we've got

a weather front bringing some rain and which will turn increasingly showery only through the day. here it is here, it's a fairly weak affair and it's pushing eastwards, eradicating the bright start that we have seen in the east. this clutch of fronts coming our way later on today and tomorrow. we have got some brightness across northern ireland, southern scotland into northern england, north of scotland also seeing some sunshine but through the central swathe, a fair bit of cloud, thick enough for that patchy light rain and drizzle. here is our weatherfront across england, producing again some showers and on the other side of that, we see a return to some sunshine, but as temperatures rise, that will spark off some showers and some of those could be heavy. the wind, though, or the breeze, not as brisk as it was yesterday. through this evening and overnight we will hang onto some of the showers, there will be some clear skies, area of cloud and by the end of the night, our first weather front will be starting to edge towards northern ireland. 0vernight lows between 9—14. not particularly cold. as we go through tomorrow, here is the first weather front, pushing north eastwards,

taking its rain with it, and this second weather front also bringing in rain and this one is going to be with us for much of the weekend. on friday, we start off with some sunshine, any mist and fog lifting, there will be areas of cloud, particularly ahead of this weather front, bringing rain through northern ireland into south west england. second weather front bringing further rain into northern ireland, the breeze picking up in the west and starting to feel humid. into saturday, this weather front will be slowly moving eastwards, i say slowly loosely, because it's moving a bit faster than we thought this time yesterday. after a dry start across central and eastern parts of england, the weather front moves from the east to the west, bringing rain into the london area through the course of the afternoon. for scotland and northern ireland, we are looking again at some rain, as well, some brighter skies in between and still feeling humid. into sunday, because the rain is coming and quicker on saturday, it will clear quicker on sunday. brighter skies out towards the west. quite breezy, still humid, drier and brighter on monday.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. chaos at kabul airport — even afghans with valid paperwork are struggling to get through, with checkpoints guarded by heavily armed militants. officials say 12 people have been killed in and around kabul airport since sunday — the taliban are urging people without the legal right to travel, to go home. if you are linked to the international presence here, you are certainly going to be worried that in this chaotic situation, a taliban member will turn around to you and say, who are you, what did you do? and they may decide that you shouldn't be allowed to leave. president biden says us troops could remain in afghanistan beyond the end of august, passing his deadline for withdrawal. labour has accused the foreign secretary, dominic raab,

of a dereliction of duty, after reports he declined