president biden will stick to his plan of withdrawing troops on august 31. the taliban say they won't allow the arrangements to be changed: you it's the number one condition that we are insisting upon is safe passage beyond the 31st, so beyond this initial phase for those who want to leave afghanistan. the? initial phase for those who want to leave afghanistan.— initial phase for those who want to leave afghanistan. they can take all the eo - le leave afghanistan. they can take all the peeple that _ leave afghanistan. they can take all the people that belong _ leave afghanistan. they can take all the people that belong to _ leave afghanistan. they can take all the people that belong to them. - leave afghanistan. they can take all the people that belong to them. we are not going to allow afghans to leave. and we will not extend the deadline. the uk records another 174 deaths from covid — the highest since march. the scottish government confirms it'll hold its own public inquiry by the end of the year into the handling of the covid pandemic. the nspcc says online grooming crimes in england and wales have reached a record high. and, the paralympic games get under way in tokyo — but once again covid

keeps the fans away. the taliban say they're stopping afghan nationals from going to kabul airport because of the chaotic situation there and that they don't want to extend the deadline for the evacuation of foreigners. despite pressure on the united states to delay the end of the airlift beyond next tuesday, reuters news agency is reporting that president biden is going to stick to the deadline. borisjohnson has been hosting a virtual meeting of g7 leaders on the situation. this is what he has been feigning the last few minutes. you this is what he has been feigning the last few minutes.— this is what he has been feigning the last few minutes. you have got to understand _ the last few minutes. you have got to understand quite _ the last few minutes. you have got to understand quite how— the last few minutes. you have got to understand quite how much - the last few minutes. you have got to understand quite how much has| to understand quite how much has been achieved already since the 14th

of august. is an extraordinary evacuation of 9000 mighty uk alone has taken 9000 people out of kabul and i 57 flights. a huge effort by military and we will go on right up until the last moment that we can. you heard what that president of the united states said and you heard what that taliban had said. i think you have got to understand the context in which we are doing this. we are confident we can get thousands more outs but the situation at the airport is not getting any better. there is public order issues, it's a harrowing scene for those who are trying to get out. and, it is tough for our military as well. what we have done today. the g7 is we have got together the western powers and agreed notjust a

joint approach to dealing with the evacuation but also a road map for the way in which we are going to engage ralph taliban and it probably will be a taliban government in kabul and the number one condition we are setting is g7 is that they have got to guarantee right the way through august the 31st and beyond a safe passage for those who want to come out. some of them will say that they don't accept that and some of them i hope will exceed a sense of that. they g7 has very considerable leverage and economic diplomatic and political. 50. leverage and economic diplomatic and olitical. , ., ., leverage and economic diplomatic and olitical. ., ., , ., political. so, did you or any other g7 leaders _ political. so, did you or any other g7 leaders make _ political. so, did you or any other g7 leaders make clear _ political. so, did you or any other g7 leaders make clear your - g7 leaders make clear your frustration to president biden about how the events are unfolding up to

last week and his refusal to extend august 31 deadline which is something that you wanted? let august 31 deadline which is something that you wanted? let us be clear. the immediate _ something that you wanted? let us be clear. the immediate phase _ something that you wanted? let us be clear. the immediate phase of- something that you wanted? let us be clear. the immediate phase of the - clear. the immediate phase of the evacuation is actually being a very considerable success by the military and i think most people looking at the numbers that we have got out would say it was quite remarkable that since the 14th of august we have got 9000 people coming to this country and helping to make new lives and obviously we are having to check them and to affect them and they're all sites of processes that we have to go through but 9000 is a very considerable number. that is uk nationals plus those who have been in afghanistan but it's also those who have helped us during the last two decades and it still uk showing its commitment and showing its responsibility to those people and i think we can be very proud of what we are achieving. you

think we can be very proud of what we are achieving.— we are achieving. you present a re we are achieving. you present a pretty rosy _ we are achieving. you present a pretty rosy world _ we are achieving. you present a pretty rosy world in _ we are achieving. you present a pretty rosy world in which - we are achieving. you present a pretty rosy world in which the i we are achieving. you present a i pretty rosy world in which the west can engage ralph —— taliban to plano and they g7, but i have of red that taliban led the government. what makes you think they will want to engage and listen to our demands for things like safe passage out of afghanistan? i things like safe passage out of afghanistan?— things like safe passage out of afuhanistan? . ., , . ., afghanistan? i am realistic about that taliban _ afghanistan? i am realistic about that taliban and _ afghanistan? i am realistic about that taliban and i _ afghanistan? i am realistic about that taliban and i don't _ afghanistan? i am realistic about that taliban and i don't think - afghanistan? i am realistic about| that taliban and i don't think that anybody is going to pretend that this is anything other than a very difficult situation, but that does not mean that we should ignore the leverage that we have. we want to help with the humanitarian crisis, the difficulties that's people in afghanistan and people fleeing afghanistan and people fleeing afghanistan are going to experience but when it comes to engaging with the taliban and engaging with the government in afghanistan, whatever its exact composition, the g7 has huge beverage and today they g7

agreed, we brought them together and they agreed a road map for future engagement with the taliban. aides that huge funds are going to be unfrozen eventually for use by the government and people of afghanistan, then what we are saying is afghanistan cannot lurch back into becoming a breeding ground of terror, they cannot become a narco state and galas have got to be educated up to the age of 18 and so on. and those are important things that we value as g7. as i things that we value as g7. as i things that unite us. but i think by the way for which we fought for years in afghanistan and for which people in this country gave their lives. and the point that was made today by g7 lee there is that we remain

committed to does values and we remain committed to afghanistan. but the number one condition that we are insisting upon is safe passage beyond the 31st, so beyond this initial phase for those who want to leave afghanistan.— leave afghanistan. finally, in the event that al-qaeda _ leave afghanistan. finally, in the event that al-qaeda and - leave afghanistan. finally, in the event that al-qaeda and i - leave afghanistan. finally, in the event that al-qaeda and i asked | event that al-qaeda and i asked expand in afghanistan, is there any possibility that g7 troops will return to that country? i possibility that g7 troops will return to that country? i think you have not return to that country? i think you have got to _ return to that country? i think you have got to recognise _ return to that country? i think you have got to recognise that - return to that country? i think you have got to recognise that a - return to that country? i think you l have got to recognise that a history of afghanistan is cyclical sadly and we would have seen over a different explanation of the voices that payment by different powers with the viewer to try and stabilise the country and our own country has had centuries of experience in afghanistan. but what i hope is that

there is now a different path forward and a better future and i don't think anybody is going to believe that this is going to be easy or that this is likely in the short time. but, there has got to be a world in which the people of afghanistan and the frame can wisdom to come together to make accommodations with each other for them to sit down and all the factions to get together family to agree on a way forward for that country. i think possibly like the point thatjoe biden has been trying to make it is very difficult for western powers to try to impose that sunlight of order on a country if a country is unwilling to do it in excel. i think what we all want to see is that you and helping to lead

a political process and it will try to bring afghanistan and take it to a different future without afghanistan feeling it has to subcontract or outsource its covenants to foreign powers or expeditionary forces. that has got to be what we are working for. it will take patients and it will take time. in the meantime what we need to do is to use very considerable influence as g7 to work on their new powers in afghanistan to insist on safe passage and to follow the path that we think is compatible with our values and enable us to engage positively with them in the future. at the pendant speaking half—day chairing that virtual meeting of they g7 nations. he was saying that

they g7 nations. he was saying that the uk remains connected to a safe passage for its activities beyond the end of next month and a member of the indications are according to the news agency thatjoe biden says he is going to stick to the timetable led us troops are pulled out by the end of august. so next week. and the taliban have made it clear that they're not in the mood for negotiations about shifting that timetable and borisjohnson also says that the west has leverage and g7 does have leverage in convincing the taliban they should allow safe passage of those people who want to be beyond the deadline. he says that funds and aid, they could be a precondition for allowing the safe passage of people out of the country beyond the deadline. and boris johnson is making it clear that they g7, the west should be prepared to negotiate and talk to the taliban about moving that deadline i little bit later on and also about the future of the country. we are going

to get my perspective on this now. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. the suggestion is that president biden has made it clear that he is going to stick to the august the 31st deadline. it is not confirmed. the indications are from the reuters news agency. if confirmed. the indications are from the reuters news agency.— the reuters news agency. if that a mistake? if _ the reuters news agency. if that a mistake? if the _ the reuters news agency. if that a mistake? if the reports _ the reuters news agency. if that a mistake? if the reports are - the reuters news agency. if that a mistake? if the reports are true i l mistake? if the reports are true i think that's very grim. you have got to remind yourself that this 31st deadline is an arbitrary date. there is no particular logic behind it other than there was a debate fixed ljy other than there was a debate fixed by the americans and they had discussions with the taliban and some weeks ago. so what we have is a lack of will wire mainly on the side of the americans if the reports are truly to be that date and i think there is a reason they may be reluctant to do so. it's notjust up

to them. they would be dependent on the taliban agreeing and they might refuse and you get into an immediate deadlock and how is that going to be resolved? i suspect that may be part of it but i think it's pretty pathetic flaky attempt not to be made as bed reports say it because if the united states with the combined support of the united kingdom and other western and other nato countries with the put a requirement for another week before i the deadline and to make it also linked as dependent as indicated as other questions of financial assistance for afghanistan and other things that they are likely to want. and the odds were that that would have been agreed. and where we are now is very extraordinary and difficult to understand. i'm not sure what borisjohnson is saying as he appears to be saying even as the americans are refusing an extension of that that night he wants the

united kingdom and the rest of the g7 can nevertheless be arguing for that. that's what safe passage means. 0n that. that's what safe passage means. on that he defines it in some way that i don't understand. that is the curious thing that it remains committed to the safe passage of evacuees. �* y ., committed to the safe passage of evacuees. �* , ., ., evacuees. beyond the end of the month. if evacuees. beyond the end of the month- if joe _ evacuees. beyond the end of the month. ifjoe biden _ evacuees. beyond the end of the month. if joe biden sticks - evacuees. beyond the end of the month. if joe biden sticks to - evacuees. beyond the end of the month. ifjoe biden sticks to her| month. ifjoe biden sticks to her what we believe is the case and that is that he pulls those troops out, the safe passage will not happen. the british, french, german, they will not be cordoning off the airport. $5 will not be cordoning off the airort. �* , ., will not be cordoning off the airort. . ~ airport. as an ob'ective, i think what we need _ airport. as an ob'ective, i think what we need to]— airport. as an objective, i think what we need to hear- airport. as an objective, i think what we need to hear is - airport. as an objective, i think what we need to hear is how i airport. as an objective, i think. what we need to hear is how that airport. as an objective, i think- what we need to hear is how that is going to happen because if the americans have completed their involvement and presumably withdrawn all the american at kabul airport, how is it going to function independent of taliban control? be your case is not able to ensure that and the numbers of people we have their and the same goes for other european countries is that tiny and

he will not be able to hold kabul airport by access to public airport for afghans and we would have to cross taliban names so i think it's unwise to give the impression that there is somehow two ways of getting far more people out of kabul and then extending the deadline unless you have some way in which i can't consider what it might be of getting safe passage without either the americans or the taliban and having agreed to that. do americans or the taliban and having agreed to that-— agreed to that. do you think unfreezing _ agreed to that. do you think unfreezing funds _ agreed to that. do you think unfreezing funds and - agreed to that. do you think unfreezing funds and the - agreed to that. do you think- unfreezing funds and the promise of aid and so on, do you think that is enough of a carrot to convince the taliban that they should be dealing with the rest?— with the rest? yes, actually do. i think it requires _ with the rest? yes, actually do. i think it requires the _ with the rest? yes, actually do. i think it requires the americans i with the rest? yes, actually do. i | think it requires the americans to be part of that negotiation. i think if the americans and if biden was leading to say today, there is nothing arbitrary about the 31st of

august, we need another week or another ten days and if the taliban agree to that, then we will be very willing as we were anyway to consider if you have in new taliban government in afghanistan that they prepared to be reasonable and moderate in its approach. then it was always on the cards that they would been over a period of time be able to get international recognition and afghanistan is usually different today than what it was 20 years ago. it's not part of the world economy. it has continuation of what is called the international payment system to ensure that the resources are available for salaries and wages in afghanistan and the taliban government do not want to get the antagonism of their own people from the moment they take power and by breaking all things that the international financial community or stopping trade are not getting diplomatic recognition that there is leverage but in reality that negotiation can only be between the taliban and united states and i don't believe for a moment that france and britain and germany, they

are going to be part of that negotiation but they will not get any real progress if the united states is not very much involved which at this moment if the reports are correct they are not prepared to be for reasons i find a mystery and a very disturbing one.— be for reasons i find a mystery and a very disturbing one. thank you for “oininu us. a very disturbing one. thank you for joining us- we _ a very disturbing one. thank you for joining us. we will _ a very disturbing one. thank you for joining us. we will get _ a very disturbing one. thank you for joining us. we will get another - joining us. we will get another perspective now from that shadow secretary. thank you for being with us. the indications are according to the reuters news agency, this has not been confirmed, president biden is going to speak to the august 31 deadline for putting us troops out. does that mean that the evacuation process is effectively dead from that moment on? the process is effectively dead from that moment on?— process is effectively dead from that moment on? the painful reality is that decision _ that moment on? the painful reality is that decision is _ that moment on? the painful reality is that decision is that _ that moment on? the painful reality is that decision is that some - that moment on? the painful reality is that decision is that some people | is that decision is that some people will be left behind and that is absolutely desperate. if is very dark moment for audit of the afghans who supported our efforts in the country of it is very dark moment for audit of the afghans who

supported our efforts in the country over the last 20 years. it's a shameful moment for this government hour. we had hoped after a few months of failure to plan that they may be able to convene world leaders in order to reach an agreement and it's absolutely clear from the statement that prime minister made that those efforts have failed. we have hours to get many people out and we have got to push resources into that and we have got to keep the morale of the people on the ground and those brilliant trips and border force staff and others and diplomats who are processing fees as i'm getting people into aeroplanes, that's basically be the immediate parity. and in the longer term we will have to confront the fact that we are now in a new reality and that and that means that we are going to have to find i shared agreed approach about how to set the parameters for engagement with the taliban and working through the united nations and we meet security council resolution and get aid into afghanistan very quickly because the people are left behind facing a humanitarian crisis. we have to do everything we can to keep routes

open out of the country. the options are very limited but we have to send are very limited but we have to send a clear message today that however big a failure of this government over the last 18 months we are not going to give up on the people of afghanistan or the things that our troops and they fought so hard to gain of those years. to troops and they fought so hard to gain of those years.— troops and they fought so hard to gain of those years. to be clear, if joe biden gain of those years. to be clear, if joe itiden pulls — gain of those years. to be clear, if joe biden pulls his— gain of those years. to be clear, if joe biden pulls his troops - gain of those years. to be clear, if joe biden pulls his troops out - gain of those years. to be clear, if joe biden pulls his troops out on l joe biden pulls his troops out on august 31, borisjohnson a saying that you remains committed to a safe passage for a evacuees beyond the end of that month, that is pie in the style, that is not going to happen? that the style, that is not going to ha en? �* ., ., , ., happen? at the moment it does not seem to be — happen? at the moment it does not seem to be any _ happen? at the moment it does not seem to be any feasible _ happen? at the moment it does not seem to be any feasible route - happen? at the moment it does not seem to be any feasible route for. seem to be any feasible route for the government to achieve that. one of the options that they have made some noise about is the possibility of asking the taliban whether it would be possible to keep flights coming in and out of the country. it's very difficult to see at this moment how that will happen. it would require some kind of processing centre in afghanistan and the taliban have been absolutely clear that they did not want a uk presence in the country after the

sist. it presence in the country after the 31st. it would require the taliban to have the infrastructure to be able to operate flights out of the airport. i think perhaps a more fruitful things at this stage is for the government to pull up all of its energy into trying to get as many people out as possible learned today about a number of cases of children whose parents are eligible to travel whose parents are eligible to travel who cannot travel because their british passports have not come until yet and it must be possible in does it indicate cases to show some flexibility and then secondly we have got to work as hard as we can with neighbouring countries to step up with neighbouring countries to step up and show them support for to keep those boys open and the people who are leaving afghanistan on foot over are leaving afghanistan on foot over a lined stent have a right to do so. borisjohnson says the west a lined stent have a right to do so. boris johnson says the west should be engaging with the taliban to try and get the deadline extended potentially despite what president biden may be thinking in order to get improvements when it comes to

the treatment of women and girls and so on and so forth. why should the taliban talk to us? i so on and so forth. why should the taliban talk to us?— taliban talk to us? i think they like a sense — taliban talk to us? i think they like a sense that _ taliban talk to us? i think they like a sense that i _ taliban talk to us? i think they like a sense that i think- taliban talk to us? i think they i like a sense that i think leverage is important i'm just listening to malcolm before i came on and he was a right to say that there are leverage that the defendant have access to that of a the world economy and there were $9 billion worth of assets sitting in us bank accounts alone that belong to the afghan government which will be frozen but that may give us some leverage in order to protect some of those. what's bp concerning and very, this stage they listening to the prime minister is he appears to have gone into the g7 as the chair of the most important grip and come out without any clear plan for how they will write together to exert pressure on the taliban and this is a really shameful moment for the united kingdom. we cannot think to

continue retreating from the world like this and failing to show leadership and failing to stand by the people who the dais.- leadership and failing to stand by the people who the dais. thank you for “oininu the people who the dais. thank you forjoining us- _ the people who the dais. thank you forjoining us. here _ the people who the dais. thank you forjoining us. here is _ the people who the dais. thank you forjoining us. here is more - the people who the dais. thank you forjoining us. here is more from i forjoining us. here is more from our political correspondent. it looks as if borisjohnson and the french and the germans by all accounts in their mission to try to getjoe biden to get the deadline extended and to keep us troops in afghanistan said that more people can get out and escape the taliban, it seems he has failed? that can get out and escape the taliban, it seems he has failed?— it seems he has failed? that is riuht. it seems he has failed? that is right- we _ it seems he has failed? that is right- we are _ it seems he has failed? that is right. we are hearing - it seems he has failed? that is right. we are hearing reports | it seems he has failed? that is i right. we are hearing reports that suggest us president biden does not seem to have budged on that 31st of august deadline for withdrawing troops from afghanistan and that matches what we heard from the pentagon spokesperson at the meeting was going on that the plan was still to withdraw troops at that date and just to a reminder why that is so significant. the us are the ones, notjust significant. the us are the ones, not just securing that significant. the us are the ones, notjust securing that international

airport but also lead to many operating and are the ones who control things like air traffic control things like air traffic control that help those evacuation flights leave the country and get to other nations and without the us other nations and without the us other nations and without the us other nations have been clear that they cannot continue evacuation operations from the airport. so in terms of what this decision means, if they are sticking to the deadline as reports such as stan evacuation from that international airport would have to wind down soon and that deadline is obviously a week but in reality, the deadline for evacuation is going to need to be at the centre and i understand that the foreign secretary held a phone call this afternoon with opposition mps and i do it in the phone call to the fact that of course, if military operations are also winding down in the military need to get out and those evacuation sites getting both british citizens and eligible afghans and free settlement here in the uk need to get out and was kind of evacuation flights let have to see meaning it is a matter of hours

i may be just a day or two see meaning it is a matter of hours i may bejust a day or two more see meaning it is a matter of hours i may be just a day or two more for some of those evacuation to take place. i think it really significant that this is not what some of those allies wanted out of this meeting. that certainly seems to be the case now. ., ~' that certainly seems to be the case now. ., ~ , ., 0ur afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani has more from kabul on the situation on the ground. i have just i havejust come i have just come out of a pentagon press conference in which i asked them about the possibility of an extension to the 31st of august deadline for the end of the evacuation scheme. some confusion also caused by comments by the taliban spokesman about whether or not they would allow the evacuation of afghan nationals to continue. 0ne spokesman clarifying to me that they will allow those afghans that the correct documentation for me but

will not allow others but also saying they were not in favour of allowing afghans to leave the country. those comments really, really raise concerns about afghans here who are thinking about leaving and wondering whether they will still be able to do so after the end of the month. still be able to do so after the end of the month-— of the month. they set lot of discussion — of the month. they set lot of discussion in _ of the month. they set lot of discussion in the _ of the month. they set lot of discussion in the west - of the month. they set lot of discussion in the west about| of the month. they set lot of. discussion in the west about the sist discussion in the west about the 315m— discussion in the west about the 31st of august have you received any request— 31st of august have you received any request from the americans to extend the evacuation scheme beyond that date and _ the evacuation scheme beyond that date and are there any circumstances under— date and are there any circumstances under which — date and are there any circumstances under which you would agree to extend — under which you would agree to extend that that —— that date? no, i don't think we will extend the deadline _ no, i don't think we will extend the deadline the — no, i don't think we will extend the

deadline. the 31st, _ no, i don't think we will extend the deadline. the 31st, it _ no, i don't think we will extend the deadline. the 31st, it is _ no, idon't think we will extend the deadline. the 31st, it is their- deadline. the 31st, it is their plan, — deadline. the 31st, it is their plan, it— deadline. the 31st, it is their plan, it is— deadline. the 31st, it is their plan, it is the _ deadline. the 31st, it is their plan, it is the american- deadline. the 31st, it is theirl plan, it is the american plan, deadline. the 31st, it is their- plan, it is the american plan, this is already— plan, it is the american plan, this is already not _ plan, it is the american plan, this is already not according _ plan, it is the american plan, this is already not according to - plan, it is the american plan, this is already not according to the - is already not according to the agreement _ is already not according to the agreement. they— is already not according to the agreement. they have - is already not according to the - agreement. they have opportunity, they have _ agreement. they have opportunity, they have all — agreement. they have opportunity, they have all the _ agreement. they have opportunity, they have all the resources, - agreement. they have opportunity, they have all the resources, they. they have all the resources, they can take — they have all the resources, they can take all— they have all the resources, they can take all the _ they have all the resources, they can take all the people _ they have all the resources, they can take all the people that - they have all the resources, they. can take all the people that belong to them, _ can take all the people that belong to them, we — can take all the people that belong to them, we are _ can take all the people that belong to them, we are not _ can take all the people that belong to them, we are not going - can take all the people that belong to them, we are not going to - can take all the people that belong to them, we are not going to allow the afghans — to them, we are not going to allow the afghans to _ to them, we are not going to allow the afghans to leave _ to them, we are not going to allow the afghans to leave and _ to them, we are not going to allow the afghans to leave and we - to them, we are not going to allow the afghans to leave and we will i to them, we are not going to allow. the afghans to leave and we will not extend _ the afghans to leave and we will not extend the _ the afghans to leave and we will not extend the deadline. _ the afghans to leave and we will not extend the deadline. we _ the afghans to leave and we will not extend the deadline. we will- the afghans to leave and we will not extend the deadline. we will be - extend the deadline. we will be deciding — extend the deadline. we will be deciding about _ extend the deadline. we will be deciding about this _ extend the deadline. we will be deciding about this barren - extend the deadline. we will be| deciding about this barren band. that is— deciding about this barren band. that is the — deciding about this barren band. that is the view— deciding about this barren band. that is the view from _ deciding about this barren band. that is the view from kabul. - deciding about this barren band. j that is the view from kabul. and they view from washington is that president biden is going to stick to the august 31 deadline and we have been getting a briefing from the pentagon with information on us plans to withdraw their troops from kabul. ., ., plans to withdraw their troops from kabul. . ., ., , kabul. that threat environment is ve real kabul. that threat environment is very real around _ kabul. that threat environment is very real around the _ kabul. that threat environment is very real around the airports - kabul. that threat environment is very real around the airports are i kabul. that threat environment is | very real around the airports are a little be equally as judicious about the kind of information we give out. but roughly speaking you need at least several days to get the amount

of forces and equipment that we have at the airport to get that safely and effectively retrograde. i will not into specific and this is going to be the case and what the data extraction is going to be. that will be up to the commanders on the ground to determine what they will move and how and when they will do it because we have a commission all the way through the continued evacuation. so you have to be able to do both and it's about ends and the secretary is going to trust the judgment of our commanders on the ground to property meet that balance. ., . , ., ~ ground to property meet that balance. ., ., , ., ~ ., balance. you are still working on the august _ balance. you are still working on the august 31 — balance. you are still working on the august 31 deadline? - balance. you are still working on the august 31 deadline? we - balance. you are still working on the august 31 deadline? we are l balance. you are still working on i the august 31 deadline? we are still aimin: the august 31 deadline? we are still aiming towards _ the august 31 deadline? we are still aiming towards the _ the august 31 deadline? we are still aiming towards the end _ the august 31 deadline? we are still aiming towards the end of— the august 31 deadline? we are still aiming towards the end of the - the august 31 deadline? we are still. aiming towards the end of the month. that is the pentagon. they are making it clear and are sticking to that they pressed deadline and write are suggesting president biden is going to confirm that or has already confirmed that with his own people. are you any clearer? irate confirmed that with his own people. are you any clearer?—

are you any clearer? we have 'ust heard in the fi are you any clearer? we have 'ust heard in the last i are you any clearer? we have 'ust heard in the last ten i are you any clearer? we have 'ust heard in the last ten ori are you any clearer? we have 'ust heard in the last ten or 15 i are you any clearer? we have justj heard in the last ten or 15 minutes that the white house is saying, it's a confused picture. 0n the 180 saying that the president is going to stick with his 31st of august deadline but also that the president has asked the pentagon to make contingency plans in case the operation goes beyond that. so, the pentagon has been asking for clarity as to lend operation and because you got a sense of from that press conference, it's a huge operation, notjust conference, it's a huge operation, not just to be conference, it's a huge operation, notjust to be able to get people out but today and get the nearly 6000 us troops, all the equipment, and that beast ms. alice and to get supplies out there as well for the troops for however long they remain out there. so they really want clarity and in one sense, the president has said he wants to stick to the deadline and on the other he is asking for contingency plans. that it will be more confusion in the pentagon and there are military plans who are saying such entities

evacuation mission has ramped up over the last 2a hours and it's extraordinary for just over the last 2a hours and it's extraordinary forjust 21,600 over the last 2a hours and it's extraordinary for just 21,600 people have been from kabul. that's a flight every 45 minutes. nearly 13,000 of them are thrown out by the us military or coalition partners. the pentagon is not confronting exactly how many my people they need to get out. so that's foreign nationals and all the afghans who have been talking about the cultural advisers and the translators who worked with coalition partners in afghanistan but there are military pens here who say if that kind of numbers they think are still remaining in kabul then this is not a mission that can even be achieved by august 31. $5 a mission that can even be achieved by august 3h— by august 31. as a result, it's a mission that _ by august 31. as a result, it's a mission that may _ by august 31. as a result, it's a mission that may not _ by august 31. as a result, it's a mission that may not be - by august 31. as a result, it's a i mission that may not be achieved by august 31. as a result, it's a - mission that may not be achieved for the americans trying to get their people out but by extension, the british and everybody else we need to get their people out because it's the americans that are basically protecting that airport?-

protecting that airport? that's ri . ht. protecting that airport? that's right- and _ protecting that airport? that's right. and all— protecting that airport? that's right. and all of _ protecting that airport? that's right. and all of those - protecting that airport? that's| right. and all of those coalition partners have said they will not stay once the americans leave and they have been expressing a lot of frustration at the fact that this deadline was set in the first place. remember, a lot of the criticism of the white house is that they set an arbitrary deadline in the first place of withdrawing all of their troops by the 11th of september and now the complaints from allies is i that another arbitrary deadline and maybe to conditions based deadline. it should be when they mission ends and when it's accomplished and when all of those people want to get out have got out and instead we have what the british government has called an arbitrary deadline that remains and he's being stuck to by the white house. a great deal of frustration and the lack of conversation throughout this process between the white house and its partners around the world. thank you

for that. partners around the world. thank you for that- we — partners around the world. thank you for that. we have _ partners around the world. thank you for that. we have got _ partners around the world. thank you for that. we have got some _ partners around the world. thank you for that. we have got some news - partners around the world. thank you | for that. we have got some news that just came into us. some side means i have to say. the drummer of the rolling stones has died at the age of 80. this is according to his publicist in london and he gave a statement to the press association news agency in the documents. and that means that the rolling stones drummer charlie watts has died at the age of 80. he has passed away and we don't know what the cause was but that means from his london publicist. we will bring you many more details of the few minutes. we will take a look at the latest

coronavirus figures now. another 174 people have died within 28 days— another 174 people have died within 28 days of— another 174 people have died within 28 days of a positive test.— 28 days of a positive test. that's the highest _ 28 days of a positive test. that's the highest reported _ 28 days of a positive test. that's the highest reported death - 28 days of a positive test. that's the highest reported death toll. the highest reported death toll since the beginning of march, although they are reporting a lag in reporting over the weekend. 72% of people above the age of 16 have now had two doses of a covid vaccine. let's join nick trickle, had two doses of a covid vaccine. let'sjoin nick trickle, our had two doses of a covid vaccine. let's join nick trickle, our health correspondentjoining us now. what you make of the figures? a month ago we were talkin: of the figures? a month ago we were talking about — of the figures? a month ago we were talking about how— of the figures? a month ago we were talking about how infection _ of the figures? a month ago we were talking about how infection rates - talking about how infection rates were falling, now it is clear they are climbing back up, although gradually. the infection rates over the past seven days, 13% higher than the past seven days, 13% higher than the previous seven days. we've had a whole week now where more than 30,000 new infections a day have

been recorded. and that's nearly 30% higher than it was at the start of august. now what i would say with the model is that in england, when we unlocked on 19july and other parts of the uk slightly later, when that happened, the model lists set “p that happened, the model lists set up we were always likely to see this ebb and flow during the summer, cases rising and falling, rising and falling. what was crucial as what happens in september, when children return to school, when people maybe start returning back to the offices and the holiday season ends, so a normal contact patterns start returning. and i think that's what all the governments will now be looking at, whether cases rise continuously in september — and september, of course, is when you start to see the flu perhaps beginning to circulate in —— and

those autumn and winter pressures build. looking at the numbers of people dying, as he reported, the numbers of deaths today are high, 174 deaths, if we look at the average number of deaths over the past week, we are now averaging more than 100 deaths per day. that was a figure that the government scientists said we were likely to reach by this stage. so we are pretty much where we expected to be — the question now is where we go next? - the question now is where we go next? . ~ - the question now is where we go next? w' ., - the question now is where we go next? w ., ., ., sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. the tokyo paralympics opening ceremony has taken place, and it was a spectacular show to get the games officially under way. over 4,000 athletes will compete over the next two weeks —

starting from tomorrow in an event organisers injapan will help change attitudes to disability. the delayed games take place in the face of a heightened covid situation in the country though. andy swiss reports. 364 days after it was meant to start, the waiting was finally over. despite the delay, despite the pandemic, at last, the paralympics had come to tokyo. the title for the opening ceremony is we have wings. it's set in an imaginary airport. 0rganisers said they wanted to highlight the power of paralympians. and after that early spectacle, there was soon another. a fireworks display lighting up the night sky. but forjapan, simply staging these games at a time of record covid rates has been a huge challenge — and after the entrance of their flag, their national anthem echoed around the stadium... she sings thejapanese national anthem ..and soon it was time

for the athletes. could all passengers please prepare for their much anticipated arrival? 162 teams are here in tokyo, but the early focus was on one that isn't. afghanistan's flag carried by a volunteer as a message of solidarity after its two competitors were unable to travel. as for britain, well, its flag—bearers were two of its most experienced campaigners — swimmer ellie simmonds and archerjohn stubbs. a more muted opening ceremony than normal, but for the athletes who feared these games might never happen, their big moment is finally here. andy swiss, bbc news. after three years, dawid malan returns to the england test side for the third test against india at headingley, which starts tomorrow. the yorkshire batsman was recalled to the side after opener dom sibley was dropped, and england's overall batting performance was heavily criticised. malan said he is confident in his form after an impressive

spell in the white ball game — but he wants to prove his worth in the longer format. i know i can play test cricket. the last time i had a crack at it, i wasn't as consistent as i could've been. when you get dropped, there is a lot of emotions and you think the public should have given you another game or two. but then you think it back and you didn't get enough runs to justify playing another game. so you come back hungry and you want to prove people wrong, and prove yourself wrong that you can actually play at this level. you want to play that you can just prove that you can do it for an extended period of time. it's cricket. sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. scotland manager, steve clarke, will be in charge of the national side until after the next european championship after agreeing a new contract. the former west brom and kilmarnock boss ended a 23—year wait for scotland to play at a major tournament at this summer's euros, where they were knocked out at the group stage. clarke, whose new deal runs

until 2024, said he was committed to helping the side return to the top level as quickly as possible. primoz roglic has lost the red jersey at the vuelta a espana, after a fall during stage ten of the race. roglic lost time after a slip on a descent, just two kilometres from the finish line. he was able to continue, but has been overtaken by 0dd christian eiking in the general classification. the stage was won by michael storer of team dsm. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. gavin, thank you for that. bringing you more on that breaking news, charlie watts, the rolling stones drummer, has died at the age of 80. in a statement, his publicist that he passed away peacefully started by family. he was a cherished father, grandfather, and a member of the rolling stones, one of the greatest drummers of his

generation. david cilento looks back at his life. i generation. david cilento looks back at his life. , , generation. david cilento looks back at his life. , ., at his life. i played the drums for keith and nick. _ at his life. i played the drums for keith and nick. i _ at his life. i played the drums for keith and nick. i didn't— at his life. i played the drums for keith and nick. i didn't play - at his life. i played the drums for keith and nick. i didn't play for. keith and nick. i didn't play for me. ., keith and nick. i didn't play for me, ., ~ ., , keith and nick. i didn't play for me. . _, , keith and nick. i didn't play for me. . , ., me. charlie watts - cool, calm, and extremely — me. charlie watts - cool, calm, and extremely demand _ me. charlie watts - cool, calm, and extremely demand or— me. charlie watts - cool, calm, and extremely demand or dumb - me. charlie watts - cool, calm, and extremely demand or dumb echo i extremely demand or dumb echo dapper. 0f extremely demand or dumb echo dapper. of the backbeat of the rolling stones. he was always a reluctant draw, or boxcar, but he loved the drums. i reluctant draw, or boxcar, but he loved the drums.— loved the drums. i can't play the drums at home, _ loved the drums. i can't play the drums at home, so _ loved the drums. i can't play the drums at home, so i _ loved the drums. i can't play the drums at home, so i walk- loved the drums. i can't play the i drums at home, so i walk up... to play the drums, i have to go on the road. and to go on the road, i have to leave home. it's a terribly vicious circle that's always been my life. , ., , . vicious circle that's always been my life. , . , . , vicious circle that's always been my life. . , _ ., life. graphic designer by trade, he was not expecting _ life. graphic designer by trade, he was not expecting his _ life. graphic designer by trade, he was not expecting his evening i was not expecting his evening sideline with a little blues band called the rolling stones to make them famous. brute called the rolling stones to make them famous.— called the rolling stones to make them famous. ~ ., ~ ., , them famous. we would like to play a lonel little them famous. we would like to play a lonely little number... _ them famous. we would like to play a lonely little number... rather- them famous. we would like to play a lonely little number... rather than i lonely little number... rather than dru~s and lonely little number... rather than drugs and groups. _ lonely little number... rather than drugs and groups, he _ lonely little number... rather than drugs and groups, he liked - lonely little number... rather than drugs and groups, he liked antique silver and classic cars will stop even though he didn't drive. but his

real passion was jazz. in between touring with mick and keith, he can afford to set up his own big band. but even the sensible stone had his moments where he knew he had a drug problem with the high priest debauchery keith richards took him aside one day and give them a talking to. married for more than 50 years, he was always happiest at home with his dogs and horses. at his place in music history is on stage, keeping it together with the world's greatest rock and roll band. indeed it is. charlie watts, the drummer of the rolling stones whose died at the age of 80. north yorkshire police have been holding a press conference related to the disappearance of claudia lawrence in 2009. i'm joined by our correspondent graham satchell.

yarmouk police have told us they have started a search of an area eight miles from the have started a search of an area eight miles fron— have started a search of an area eight miles from the northeast of york where _ eight miles from the northeast of york where claudia _ eight miles from the northeast of york where claudia went - eight miles from the northeast of york where claudia went missing| eight miles from the northeast of i york where claudia went missing in 2009. their searching a place which is actually more of a lake surrounded by woodland. they say they have specialist divers and forensic teams there, and they say the search could take up to a number of days. this is detective superintendent wayne fox. the of days. this is detective suerintendent wa ne fox. , ., . superintendent wayne fox. the search is startin: superintendent wayne fox. the search is starting here — superintendent wayne fox. the search is starting here today _ superintendent wayne fox. the search is starting here today are _ superintendent wayne fox. the search is starting here today are in _ is starting here today are in relation _ is starting here today are in relation to the disappearance and likely— relation to the disappearance and likely murder of claudia fox 12 years— likely murder of claudia fox 12 years ago. whilst we cannot say how lon- years ago. whilst we cannot say how long the _ years ago. whilst we cannot say how long the search will take, we do want _ long the search will take, we do want to— long the search will take, we do want to say that a number of forensic— want to say that a number of forensic experts are likely to be at this location for a number of days. while _ this location for a number of days. while some — this location for a number of days. while some unable to disclose what brought _ while some unable to disclose what brought us— while some unable to disclose what brought us to this location, i would like to— brought us to this location, i would like to stress that the search as you'll— like to stress that the search as you'll see — like to stress that the search as you'll see in the coming days are

'ust you'll see in the coming days are just one — you'll see in the coming days are just one of— you'll see in the coming days are just one of several active lines of inquiry— just one of several active lines of inquiry which are currently being investigated, and our efforts to establish — investigated, and our efforts to establish what happened to claudia and identify any person responsible for her_ and identify any person responsible for her harm. this and identify any person responsible for her harm-— for her harm. this is appalling for the family. _ for her harm. this is appalling for the family, she's _ for her harm. this is appalling for the family, she's been _ for her harm. this is appalling for the family, she's been missing i for her harm. this is appalling for i the family, she's been missing since 2009. she worked at the university of york as a chef and she had gone on to do a early shift at the cantina at the university of york, beating the students. she went home, texted her parents in the evening, she was due for an early shift the next day and didn't turn up. it was the day after that her father alerted the police and they started this missing persons inquiry which turned into a missing dumb echo suspected murder case. it's been 12 years, there have been an ongoing

mystery, there's never been a sighting of her, her case was featured on crime watch, there were appeals by the archbishop of york, and claudia's father made numerous emotional appeals to the public asking for information. he sadly died earlier this year never knowing what had happened to his daughter, and claudia's mother survives. police say they have informed the family of this latest development, and they say that it appears the information that they've been given that's led them to this lake appears extremely interesting and can spark a whole new line of investigation. but they say they're still appealing for more information and they want people to get in touch to help. graham, thank you. more now on our top story. borisjohnson says the g7 remains committed to a safe

passage out of afghanistan beyond the end of august. we can now speak to karin von hippel, who's the director—general at the think—tank, the royal united services institute, or rusi. hello, thank you for being with us. it seems joe hello, thank you for being with us. it seemsjoe biden has decided he's pulling his troops out 31 august. does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling — does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling under _ does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling under a _ does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling under a lot _ does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling under a lot of _ does that make sense to you? i think he's feeling under a lot of pressure i he's feeling under a lot of pressure because the taliban also agreed to that deadline. arbitrary as it might sound, they are worried about security for their troops and for others beyond the deadline. it doesn't mean they won't try to negotiate in the background, try to stay longer or it won't figure out how to get people out if they need to. that seems to be what the agreement has been.- to. that seems to be what the agreement has been. to. that seems to be what the aareement has been. ~ .., , ., agreement has been. when it comes to ne . otiatin: , agreement has been. when it comes to negotiating. why _ agreement has been. when it comes to negotiating. why do _ agreement has been. when it comes to negotiating, why do you _ agreement has been. when it comes to negotiating, why do you think- agreement has been. when it comes to negotiating, why do you think the i negotiating, why do you think the taliban would want to agree to an extension of the deadline? maybe

the would extension of the deadline? maybe they would like _ extension of the deadline? maybe they would like additional- extension of the deadline? maybe| they would like additional financial support, some form of recognition — it's hard to know what they would like in return, or maybe they really are saying that this is it, no more negotiation? it's hard for me to know because i'm not involved in these conversations. it's hard to know if they are doing this to try to push the americans to offer more, or if this is just their last stand. the original deadline in the agreement signed by mike pompeo and the taliban in doha was for a withdrawal of us troops and the us—led coalition by the end of may, right? us-led coalition by the end of may, riuht? , us-led coalition by the end of may, ri ht? , 0k, us-led coalition by the end of may, right?- ok. so _ us—led coalition by the end of may, right? yes. ok, so why was 31 august chosen by joe — right? jazz ok, so why was 31 august chosen byjoe biden? right? yes. ok, so why was 31 august chosen by joe biden? i _ right? yes. ok, so why was 31 august chosen by joe biden? ithink- right? yes. ok, so why was 31 august chosen by joe biden? i think he i chosen by joe biden? i think he wanted to _ chosen by joe biden? i think he wanted to have _ chosen by joe biden? i think he wanted to have them _ chosen by joe biden? i think he wanted to have them out i chosen by joe biden? i think he| wanted to have them out before the 20th anniversary of 9/11. so he extended it, he was obviously

advised that it was doable by them. i don't think anyone in his team anticipated the collapse in the sense that we saw it. maybe some intelligence people, but they certainly didn't anticipate it because they would've done something very different if they thought that would've happened. but very different if they thought that would've happened.— very different if they thought that would've happened. but do you see no win ale would've happened. but do you see no wiggle room — would've happened. but do you see no wiggle room whatsoever _ would've happened. but do you see no wiggle room whatsoever for _ would've happened. but do you see no wiggle room whatsoever forjoe - would've happened. but do you see no wiggle room whatsoever forjoe biden| wiggle room whatsoeverforjoe biden now? none whatsoever? there wiggle room whatsoever forjoe biden now? none whatsoever?— now? none whatsoever? there is alwa s now? none whatsoever? there is always wiggle _ now? none whatsoever? there is always wiggle room _ now? none whatsoever? there is always wiggle room at _ now? none whatsoever? there is always wiggle room at the - now? none whatsoever? there is always wiggle room at the very i now? none whatsoever? there is . always wiggle room at the very last minute. it's hard to know how many americans and europeans are still in afghanistan. they've also committed to taking out afghans who have worked with coalition troops and others, and civil society leaders, journalists, women leaders and others. there's a long list of people they've offered to take out, and the taliban are now saying those people should stay and shouldn't leave. so we have a few days still, and there will be frantic negotiations behind—the—scenes 20 47, i can guarantee you that, and it will be chaotic. these never go according to plan anyways, there be

lots of challenges along the way, there's potential for al-qaeda and other terrorist groups try to disrupt what's going on at the airport. the taliban are not a unitary organisation so you'll have different groups potentially doing different groups potentially doing different things in different parts of kabul, even. so it's bound to be chaotic and disorderly. boris johnson is — chaotic and disorderly. boris johnson is talking _ chaotic and disorderly. boris johnson is talking about i chaotic and disorderly. boris johnson is talking about engaging meaningfully with the taliban, that the west needs to talk to these people — and that's got to be the posture of the g7. if the americans don't want to do that, then it won't happen, will it? all this rest on the shoulders of the united states. i think the americans will do that as well, the head of the cia was an kabul meeting with the taliban, so they are realistic about it, they know they'll have to negotiate with this organisation. they don't want to tell them to go the way that the previous iteration of the taliban

went 20 years ago, obviously, though they really do need to talk to them and try to negotiate with them. it doesn't mean they need to recognise them as a government, but they certainly need to work with them. so recognition is not on the table, not a chance? we recognition is not on the table, not a chance? ~ . �* . ., a chance? we aren't even close to that et, a chance? we aren't even close to that yet. so _ a chance? we aren't even close to that yet. so it's — a chance? we aren't even close to that yet, so it's not _ a chance? we aren't even close to that yet, so it's not even - a chance? we aren't even close to that yet, so it's not even on i a chance? we aren't even close to that yet, so it's not even on the i that yet, so it's not even on the agenda, as far as i know.- agenda, as far as i know. let's leave it there, _ agenda, as far as i know. let's leave it there, thank _ agenda, as far as i know. let's leave it there, thank you i agenda, as far as i know. let's leave it there, thank you very l agenda, as far as i know. let's leave it there, thank you very much forjoining us, karen.— for 'oining us, karen. appreciate it. today sees the opening ceremony of the tokyo 2020 paralympics, with sporting action due to kick off tomorrow. just as with the olympics, the event was delayed a year due to coronavirus. the paralympics feature athletes with disabilities competing in 539 events, across 22 different sports. each sport has different physical demands, so each has its own set of classifications to decide which athletes can compete in each event. we can speak now to paralympian georgie hermitage, who won two gold medals and a silver in athletics at the rio 2016 games.

hello to you, thanks for being with us, it's good to see you here on bbc news. i bet you wish you were in tokyo? i news. i bet you wish you were in to 0? ., �* , , news. i bet you wish you were in to 0? , , tokyo? i do, i'm slightly 'ealous at the moment. t tokyo? i do, i'm slightly 'ealous at the moment. laughter _ tokyo? i do, i'm slightly jealous at the moment. laughter. - the moment. laughter. very jealous _ the moment. laughter. veryjealous i _ the moment. laughter. veryjealous i suspect. i the moment. laughter. veryjealous i suspect. a| the moment. laughter. - veryjealous i suspect. a massive hall, record hall of metals for the paralympic team in rio. what you think the chances are of replicating that, do you think was yellow i think we've got a really strong chance of doing so. i can't see it bein: a chance of doing so. i can't see it being a challenge _ chance of doing so. i can't see it being a challenge at _ chance of doing so. i can't see it being a challenge at all. - chance of doing so. i can't see it being a challenge at all. we i chance of doing so. i can't see it i being a challenge at all. we have a very strong team and a lot of young athletes coming through, as well, so i think it will be exciting games, really. i think it will be exciting games, reall . �* . ., , , really. and exciting games, but with no fans again _ really. and exciting games, but with no fans again - _ really. and exciting games, but with no fans again - how _ really. and exciting games, but with no fans again - how do _ really. and exciting games, but with no fans again - how do you - really. and exciting games, but with no fans again - how do you think i no fans again — how do you think that'll affect some of the athletes? honestly, from athletic terms, we are used to competing without a crowd. that's pretty common within

paralympic sports. honestly i think they'll do fine, i think they'll just be focusing on their race and not necessarily what's outside of that. . . . not necessarily what's outside of that. . , . ., not necessarily what's outside of that. ., , ., ., ., ., , not necessarily what's outside of that. ., ., ., ., that. there was a lot of hope and, in some circles, _ that. there was a lot of hope and, in some circles, wishful _ that. there was a lot of hope and, in some circles, wishful thinking . in some circles, wishful thinking perhaps in terms of the way the rest of society views people with disabilities, particularly after the games in 2012. do you think the situation hasn't proved —— has improved in the years leading up to tokyo? improved in the years leading up to to 0? ~ , , ., �* improved in the years leading up to to , ., �* ., tokyo? absolutely, i wouldn't have been in rio — tokyo? absolutely, iwouldn't have been in rio if— tokyo? absolutely, i wouldn't have been in rio if it _ tokyo? absolutely, i wouldn't have been in rio if it wasn't _ tokyo? absolutely, i wouldn't have been in rio if it wasn't for - tokyo? absolutely, i wouldn't have been in rio if it wasn't for 2012. i been in rio if it wasn't for 2012. it changed everyone cosmic perspective, but it's still a long way up from where it should be. i think they're kind of out on their own, to a certain extent, there are many other countries who probably still need a little bit of encouragement to get on board. when ou were in encouragement to get on board. when you were in rio. _ encouragement to get on board. when you were in rio, did _ encouragement to get on board. when you were in rio, did you _ encouragement to get on board. when you were in rio, did you see perhaps the way that the authorities treated

you and those from paralympic gb compared to other countries? was there a difference? idat compared to other countries? was there a difference?— there a difference? not in rio. everyone _ there a difference? not in rio. everyone i— there a difference? not in rio. everyone i met _ there a difference? not in rio. everyone i met was _ there a difference? not in rio. everyone i met was lovely. i there a difference? not in rio. everyone i met was lovely. all| there a difference? not in rio. i everyone i met was lovely. all the locals were lovely, everyone was fantastic and very onboard. but compared to the olympics, you'll never see a full stadium. we did so in rio, i think london was out there on its own for that. so hopefully when we are allowed crowds again, we will see some. when we are allowed crowds again, we will see some-— will see some. let's hope so. apologies _ will see some. let's hope so. apologies that _ will see some. let's hope so. apologies that you'll - will see some. let's hope so. apologies that you'll be i will see some. let's hope so. . apologies that you'll be jealous will see some. let's hope so. i apologies that you'll be jealous for not being out there, that's a shame, but it's good to see you, thanks for being with us. but it's good to see you, thanks for being with us-_

scotland is to launch its own public inquiry by the end of the year, into the handling of the covid pandemic. the first minister, nicola sturgeon, says it will be led by a judge, and will scrutinise all devolved decisions relating to covid, including what happened in care homes. she made the announcement at today's scottish briefing. the scottish government has previously committed to the establishment of a statutory public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic. today we have started the process of getting such an inquiry up and running. i can confirm that it will be established by the end of this year, as promised, and it will take a person—centred human rights approach. this morning, we have published draft aims and principles for the inquiry, following a period of consultation, which will take place between now and the end of september, consultation with interested parties, including of course bereaved families. these aims and principles are intended to become the basis for the formal terms of reference of the inquiry. a copy of the draft and details of how you can contribute your views, if you wish to do so, can be found on the scottish government website. i can also confirm that the lord

advocate has begun discussions with the lord president about appointing a judge to lead the inquiry. it is fully our intention that this this will be a judge—led inquiry. the inquiry will look into the handling of the pandemic within our devolved competence, including the situation in our care homes. however we will also liaise closely with the uk government and other devolved governments on the likely terms of a uk—wide inquiry. where possible, not least to reduce the burden of those who will give evidence to these inquiries, it will be important to avoid duplication and overlap. however they need for cooperation with the other governments is not, in my view, to delay the establishment of our own inquiry. i do believe that a full public inquiry has an extremely important role to play, both in scrutinising the decisions we took, and indeed, to continue to take

in the course of the pandemic, but also of course in identifying and learning appropriate lessons for the future. i therefore believe it is appropriate to establish inquiry as soon as possible now, and the process we have begun today is an important step towards that. campaigners from the covid—19 bereaved families forjustice group say a separate scottish inquiry is needed to examine decisions made by the devolved scottish government, and to hold it to account. at a press conference in glasgow, the group welcomed the announcement. any public inquiry must be truly independent and leave no stone unturned. that is the most fitting tribute that our country can pay to the victims of covid—19, to be effective and meaningful, grieving families must be at the heart of the inquiry process to get to the truth of what happened. the key to any public inquiry is a chairperson and

an expert panel. the families wish to see those with sufficient seniority and expertise appointed with the ability to work closely with the ability to work closely with bereaved families and a proven track record of independence, robustness, and willingness to ask difficult questions.— robustness, and willingness to ask difficult questions. peter mcmahon lost his wife _ difficult questions. peter mcmahon lost his wife to _ difficult questions. peter mcmahon lost his wife to coronavirus - difficult questions. peter mcmahon lost his wife to coronavirus at i difficult questions. peter mcmahon lost his wife to coronavirus at the l lost his wife to coronavirus at the age of 53, and he welcomed the announcement today. mr; age of 53, and he welcomed the announcement today.— age of 53, and he welcomed the announcement today. my wife died at announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable — announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable death, _ announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable death, at _ announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable death, at the _ announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable death, at the age - announcement today. my wife died at an avoidable death, at the age of i an avoidable death, at the age of 52. an avoidable death, at the age of 52~ i_ an avoidable death, at the age of 52~ i would — an avoidable death, at the age of 52. i would like this public inquiry to confirm, — 52. i would like this public inquiry to confirm, clarify why they were taken ~~ — first, kfc were having supply issues, then we were told a cheeky nando's was looking unlikely. and now, the latest casualty is the milkshakes and bottled drinks

at more than a thousand mcdonald's outlets in england, wales, and scotland. if you're wondering what on earth is going on, our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith can explain. well, this is an issue that's affecting, as you say, 1,250 stores — so every store in england, scotland, and wales. they've run out of milk and bottled drinks. we haven't had customers here complaining too much, but it is an issue that's being caused, mcdonald's say, because of supply chain problems. they won't go into more detail than that, but it's a refrain that's becoming very familiar now across the food industry. last week, it was nando's saying that they've run out of supplies of fresh chicken, causing the closure of 50 stores for a couple of days. now it's mcdonald's�* turn. behind all of that is the issues with hgb drivers and the shortages across the logistics sector. that's really come to a head because of brexit, covid, and delays in tests or hgv drivers — all coming to a head at the same moment. mcdonald's, of course, famous for the big mack and fries — but they're actually one of the largest drinks retailers in the uk,

so more supply chain problems for them will have a big knock—on effect on the business as a whole. now time for the weather. hello. the weather is expected to remain settled for the rest of august, lots of dry and bright weather on the way. warm enough in the sunshine. hence it will keep things dry for us. but it's not clear within this high pressure, you can see areas of cloud early on, but many areas of the country seeing some sunshine. so through the course of this evening and overnight, it's a case of clear skies across western and southern areas. closer to the north sea coast and inland, it'll once again turn cloudy as that north sea cloud

drifts in or persists, if you have already. that means that wednesday morning will start off grey and a number of areas, butjust like number of areas, but just like today, number of areas, butjust like today, that clyde will give away to some sunshine eventually. in the morning, the cloudy skies there to the east, the southeast as well breaking up here, but sunshine along the south coast, beautiful weather around the coast of wales, the irish sea, some fantastic weather in the southwest of scotland, and glasgow up southwest of scotland, and glasgow up to 26 celsius with light winds and sunshine. a subtle difference on thursday, a little cool front is expected to ride on the eastern edge of this high pressure here, bringing some cooler winds from the north. here is that cool or wind blowing out of the north sea, bringing some clout here. i think on the coast itself, it could actually feel relatively chilly, temperatures around 15—16 c out towards the west where the winds are lighter, and there's more sunshine with temperatures in the low 20s. little

change is expected in the friday, the high pressure is with us, centred across scotland and the norwegian sea, so this is where the best of the weather will be once again. always a bit more of a breeze closer to east anglia and the lincolnshire coast there. and the temperatures around 18 in norwich, probably getting into the low 20s just across some western parts of the uk. so a quiet week ahead, and the uk. so a quiet week ahead, and the quiet weather is expected to last into the weekend and probably into the bank holiday weekend. it looks as though that high—pressure is in no pressure to budge. bye—bye.

afghanistan beyond the end g7 leaders call on the taliban g7 leaders call on the taliban

to allow safe passage to allow safe passage for anyone who wants to leave for anyone who wants to leave afghanistan beyond the end of the month deadline. it comes as heavy crowds remain around kabul airport — with people tense and emotional as they try to leave. one day you will come back to afghanistan? never, never. it's not my country. after this it's not my country. as the us held firm on withdrawing its troops on august 31st, borisjohnson had this message from the virtual g7 summit. the number one condition that we are insisting upon is safe passage beyond the 31st, so beyond this initial phase for those who want to leave afghanistan. but it came as the taliban appeared to harden their message