this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines: the british government promises to use "every hour that's left" to evacuate as many people as it can from afghanistan, as president biden refuses to extend the american—led airlift beyond next tuesday. the troops will be withdrawn by the end of the month, and what we'll do is use every remaining hour and day to get our nationals such as we can, the afghans who worked for us, out. we'll report on the afghan families here in britain, desperately worried about loved ones who are stranded. inside, ifeel like i'm broken into many, many pieces. my body is here, my soul is in afghanistan. so far, the raf has brought out more than 10,000 people, including over 6,000 afghans, but many remain.

we'll have much more analysis on the situation in afghanistan, including effectiveness of the airlift from a former commander ofjoint forces. researchers say protection against covid from two doses of the vaccine starts to wane within six months. i'm ina i'm in a very noisy 0xford, where the women have been blocking the roads are the last three hours. a golden start in tokyo for paralympics gb, as cyclist dame sarah storey takes the 15th gold of her career.

the government says it will use "every hour" that's left to evacuate as many people as it can from afghanistan. so far, the raf has flown more than 10,000 people out of kabul — including 6,300 afghans. but more than 2,000 people who are eligible for relocation are still waiting. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kabul. it's a race against the cloth here. it's a race against the cloth here. it is a racer fraught with risk and fear. in britain and the us, there are reassurances that all of the foreign nationals who want to leave, who have to leave, and the afghans who have to leave, and the afghans who have to leave, and the afghans who have all the right passports and permissions will be on the flight out of afghanistan. but looking at the crowds, the crush of people gathering now with rising panic and

all the gates around the international airport in kabul, you realise there simply aren't enough hours left, and the taliban are now making it clear they're not letting afghans through from the centre of this city to the airport unless they have all of the documents to leave. it is an anxious moment, and anxious our at this important chapter in afghanistan. we'll hear more about the security and political risks in this moment, but let's look at all the latest development. this report is from paul adams. time is running out, and they know it. 0utside time is running out, and they know it. outside the airport, no let up in the people differ spirit to leave. too afraid to stay, prepare to put up with heat and field for a chance —— people desperate to leave. inside the operation turns on around the clock, planes leaving every 45

minutes. here, the government says it's using every hour available to get people out. but the danger is rising, says the man ultimately in charge. rising, says the man ultimately in charae. ,, . charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by a _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by a terrorist - risk of an attack by a terrorist group known as isis k, which is a sworn enemy of the tele— as well, every would a we're on the ground, isis k is seeking to target the airport —— enemy of the taliban. the airport -- enemy of the taliban. the taliban airport —— enemy of the taliban. the taliban continue to project images of control. elements of a special commander unit, visible at key areas. as the new rulers a stay of their authority, western governments are figuring out how and when to deal with the taliban. the are figuring out how and when to deal with the taliban.— deal with the taliban. the reality is to be able _ deal with the taliban. the reality is to be able to _ deal with the taliban. the reality is to be able to engage, - deal with the taliban. the reality is to be able to engage, not - is to be able to engage, not recognise, but engage and test whether— recognise, but engage and test whether they're serious about

wanting — whether they're serious about wanting those assurances and being clear about what the community will do. clear about what the community will d0~ and _ clear about what the community will do. and what they will not do if we see the _ do. and what they will not do if we see the barbaric practices of the past _ see the barbaric practices of the ast. ., ., .., . see the barbaric practices of the ast. ., ., u, . .,, past. one ma'or concern in europe and beyond. — past. one major concern in europe and beyond. just— past. one major concern in europe and beyond, just how _ past. one major concern in europe and beyond, just how many - past. one major concern in europe and beyond, just how many more | and beyond, just how many more refugees will flee this latest phase of afghanistan's long agony. in eastern turkey, some have already arrived, leaving their dreams behind. i arrived, leaving their dreams behind. . , . arrived, leaving their dreams behind. ., , . ., arrived, leaving their dreams behind. . ., ., ., behind. i was deciding to have of mininu. i behind. i was deciding to have of mining- i was — behind. i was deciding to have of mining. i was planning _ behind. i was deciding to have of mining. i was planning a - mining. i was planning a big business _ mining. i was planning a big business in _ mining. i was planning a big business in kabul. - mining. i was planning a big business in kabul. the - mining. i was planning a big - business in kabul. the situation suddenly— business in kabul. the situation suddenly got _ business in kabul. the situation suddenly got changed, - business in kabul. the situationl suddenly got changed, therefore business in kabul. the situation. suddenly got changed, therefore i decided _ suddenly got changed, therefore i decided to— suddenly got changed, therefore i decided to leave _ suddenly got changed, therefore i decided to leave afghanistan. - decided to leave afghanistan. mohammed _ decided to leave afghanistan. mohammed was— decided to leave afghanistan. mohammed was a _ decided to leave afghanistan. mohammed was a product - decided to leave afghanistan. mohammed was a product ofl decided to leave afghanistan. i mohammed was a product of the decided to leave afghanistan. - mohammed was a product of the new afghanistan, a youtuber and web designer, now part of the country's latest brain drain. 0n the run, trying to avoid the authorities, at the mercy of people smugglers. but

for those who can't or won't leave afghanistan, a myriad of desperate challenges. instability, droughtand rising food prices. the country's currency hitting a new low. aid agencies appealing for help through avoid disaster. paul adams, agencies appealing for help through avoid disaster. pauladams, bbc news. many plans, dreams, destroyed. as afghanistan turns another corner. for now, the focus is on the what's happening at the airport. we just heard statement from the pentagon in washington saying there are about 10,000 people still at the airport waiting to leave, but will they be able to leave and safety? let's join frank gardner. we heard president biden talking about the risks of attacks by the regional group of so—called islamic state. tell us how much of a presence they have in this

region. much of a presence they have in this reuion. ,, , ., region. sure. they are the hidden menace that _ region. sure. they are the hidden menace that is _ region. sure. they are the hidden menace that is lurking _ region. sure. they are the hidden menace that is lurking on - region. sure. they are the hidden menace that is lurking on the - region. sure. they are the hidden l menace that is lurking on the other side of— menace that is lurking on the other side of the — menace that is lurking on the other side of the airport perimeter. somewhere in kabul and beyond. thats— somewhere in kabul and beyond. that's their name to the affiliate of isis~ _ that's their name to the affiliate of isis. their strength is concentrated in the east of the country — concentrated in the east of the country. at one stage, they had about— country. at one stage, they had about 1000 militants there. nobody has an— about 1000 militants there. nobody has an accurate handle on how many to got _ has an accurate handle on how many to got you — has an accurate handle on how many to got. you would think that as jihadists— to got. you would think that as jihadists they would be on the same pa-e jihadists they would be on the same page as _ jihadists they would be on the same page as al-qaeda and possibly sympathetic to the taliban's takeover, but they're not. they are rivats— takeover, but they're not. they are rivals and _ takeover, but they're not. they are rivals and they have carried out a number — rivals and they have carried out a number of — rivals and they have carried out a number of attacks in the previous years— number of attacks in the previous years against not only us forces, afghan— years against not only us forces, afghan forces, but even against the tatiban— afghan forces, but even against the taliban when they were insurgents. the threat — taliban when they were insurgents. the threat reporting picked up a few

days ago— the threat reporting picked up a few days ago was that they were considering or planning some kind of attack— considering or planning some kind of attack at _ considering or planning some kind of attack at the airport. you've seen it with _ attack at the airport. you've seen it with your— attack at the airport. you've seen it with your own eyes what an incredibly _ it with your own eyes what an incredibly volatile dynamic shifting situation _ incredibly volatile dynamic shifting situation it is at the airport. you canjust — situation it is at the airport. you canjust imagine what even the ruler of an— canjust imagine what even the ruler of an attack— canjust imagine what even the ruler of an attack by them would do to that situation, which is why the us has decided that they can't delay any longer. has decided that they can't delay any longer-— any longer. what about the relationship _ any longer. what about the relationship between - any longer. what about the - relationship between al-qaeda and the taliban, who have now come to power? that was one of the main issues of discussions during the negotiations which led to the us — tallow band deal. this negotiations which led to the us - tallow band deal.— tallow band deal. this is a very murky question _ tallow band deal. this is a very murky question because - tallow band deal. this is a very | murky question because there's tallow band deal. this is a very - murky question because there's no question— murky question because there's no question that in the past, they had very close — question that in the past, they had very close relationship. the taliban say they— very close relationship. the taliban say they agreed indo hall ——

—— doha. a report says that wasn't the case — —— doha. a report says that wasn't the case. there were strong ties between — the case. there were strong ties between the two groups. the taliban have made _ between the two groups. the taliban have made it very clear that. there would _ have made it very clear that. there would be _ have made it very clear that. there would be no... they would not allow the of _ would be no... they would not allow the of islamic to be a base to attack — the of islamic to be a base to attack. the truth is even if they... they— attack. the truth is even if they... they may — attack. the truth is even if they... they may not _ attack. the truth is even if they... they may not necessarily be in control— they may not necessarily be in control of— they may not necessarily be in control of all of it. afghanistan is an incredibly rugged country. for the tast— an incredibly rugged country. for the last 20 — an incredibly rugged country. for the last 20 years, the us and its attics— the last 20 years, the us and its allies have — the last 20 years, the us and its allies have been able to intercept any plots — allies have been able to intercept any plots that were starting to hatch, — any plots that were starting to hatch, because they had eyes and ears on _ hatch, because they had eyes and ears on the — hatch, because they had eyes and ears on the ground. in quick reaction _ ears on the ground. in quick

reaction forces, helicopters, they don't _ reaction forces, helicopters, they don't have — reaction forces, helicopters, they don't have that facility any more. that puts — don't have that facility any more. that puts them back into what call over the _ that puts them back into what call over the horizon activities like drone — over the horizon activities like drone strikes, cyber intercept, not nearly— drone strikes, cyber intercept, not nearly as _ drone strikes, cyber intercept, not nearly as efficient.— nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank ou nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank you for— nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank you forjoining _ nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank you forjoining us _ nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank you forjoining us with - nearly as efficient. frank gardner, thank you forjoining us with your| thank you forjoining us with your assessment. this morning, we met with some taliban spokesman would urge the media not to focus on the airport, that we should focus on what else is happening in afghanistan. nine days after the taliban took charge. tens of millions of afghans will be staying put. they're awaiting to see what kind of state the taliban will establish this time. they've made it clear they want a strong islamic system. forsome clear they want a strong islamic system. for some insight, we're joined by this man. he was the taliban ambassador to pakistan 20 years ago, when the taliban were

ousted. he's written a book about his life, and also played a role in the www. welcome to the bbc. you've always made it clear that you think this time around, the taliban will not repeat their harsh rule of the 19905. what not repeat their harsh rule of the 1990s. what will be different this time? t 1990s. what will be different this time? ~ 1990s. what will be different this time? ,, , ., , , 1990s. what will be different this time? ,, i. ,, .,, time? i think your witness was the difference- — time? i think your witness was the difference. you _ time? i think your witness was the difference. you know _ time? i think your witness was the difference. you know the - time? i think your witness was the difference. you know the life - time? i think your witness was the | difference. you know the life of the people. _ difference. you know the life of the people, and their education, and the women _ people, and their education, and the women can— people, and their education, and the women can go to the work. the taliban— women can go to the work. the taliban are _ women can go to the work. the taliban are not getting revenge for the people. still they are discussing the issue in afghanistan.

ithink— discussing the issue in afghanistan. i think your— discussing the issue in afghanistan. i think your witness that the taliban, _ i think your witness that the taliban, and they know about neighbours of our community. the icture is neighbours of our community. the picture is not _ neighbours of our community. tue: picture is not as neighbours of our community. he picture is not as clear neighbours of our community. t“t2 picture is not as clear as neighbours of our community. tt2 picture is not as clear as you depict. for example, concerning the right of women. many women have been told that they should stay home for now, but the situation is not safe. that's what the women were told in 1996, and they didn't go to work for all of the years that the taliban were in power. that's what their fear is now, that this is simply an excuse. t fear is now, that this is simply an excuse. ~' . fear is now, that this is simply an excuse. ~ ., ., ._ fear is now, that this is simply an excuse. ~ ., ., ., excuse. i think i heard today that the taliban _ excuse. i think i heard today that the taliban told _ excuse. i think i heard today that the taliban told a _ excuse. i think i heard today that the taliban told a woman - excuse. i think i heard today that the taliban told a woman that. excuse. i think i heard today that| the taliban told a woman that the procedure — the taliban told a woman that the procedure is not completed. they

promise _ procedure is not completed. they promise they will be returning. the women _ promise they will be returning. the women there are working. i think this is— women there are working. i think this is the — women there are working. i think this is the promises of the taliban to return — this is the promises of the taliban to return to— this is the promises of the taliban to return to their work. this is something _ to return to their work. this is something come to the media. the situation, _ something come to the media. the situation, we will announce as soon as possible — situation, we will announce as soon as possible that some sector of the government, women are allowed to work _ government, women are allowed to work. . �* , government, women are allowed to work. ., �* , ., government, women are allowed to work. ., �*, ., , ,, work. that's one big issue. the other is you — work. that's one big issue. the other is you say _ work. that's one big issue. the other is you say the _ work. that's one big issue. the other is you say the taliban - work. that's one big issue. the - other is you say the taliban leaders here say there will be no revenge, but today we had a report of a targeted killing, and there have been reports for many, many months now. look at how many young educated

afghans are leaving. they still fear at the taliban. what can be done to reassure educated afghans there's a place for them here?— place for them here? well, i think ou know place for them here? well, i think you know better— place for them here? well, i think you know better than _ place for them here? well, i think you know better than me - place for them here? well, i think you know better than me the - you know better than me the situation _ you know better than me the situation right now. i think if you are talking — situation right now. i think if you are talking about the airport, this is a big _ are talking about the airport, this is a big conspiracy for taliban, that— is a big conspiracy for taliban, that the — is a big conspiracy for taliban, that the thousand people there are coming _ that the thousand people there are coming to— that the thousand people there are coming to the airport. without ways out, without money, without passports. that's not right now. the people _ passports. that's not right now. the people of— passports. that's not right now. the people of afghanistan... they've given _ people of afghanistan... they've given the — people of afghanistan... they've

given the risk. people are thinking this is— given the risk. people are thinking this is opportunity to go... i think this is opportunity to go... i think this is— this is opportunity to go... i think this is something which i think is conspiracy~ — this is something which i think is conspiracy. this is giving the idea that the _ conspiracy. this is giving the idea that the taliban are against the people — that the taliban are against the people and education, but the people in kabut— people and education, but the people in kabul are happy. they have not taken _ in kabul are happy. they have not taken any— in kabul are happy. they have not taken any kind of revenge. the taliban— taken any kind of revenge. the taliban sent... that's not ok. this is not _ taliban sent... that's not ok. this is not ok— taliban sent... that's not ok. this is not ok for— taliban sent... that's not ok. this is not ok for the country. what is your— is not ok for the country. what is your problem? let is not ok for the country. what is your problem?— is not ok for the country. what is your problem? let me tell you what the need your problem? let me tell you what they need to. _ your problem? let me tell you what they need to, they _ your problem? let me tell you what they need to, they need _ your problem? let me tell you what they need to, they need to - your problem? let me tell you what they need to, they need to feel- they need to, they need to feel space. i've spoken with so many

young educated afghans —— feel safe. they are terrified they will be killed. many of them have had threatening messages from the taliban. i've seen the targeted assassinations. there was one just today. that doesn't reassure afghans. that frightens them. t’itt afghans. that frightens them. i'm not arguing with you about that. the taliban _ not arguing with you about that. the taliban... they're assuring the people — taliban... they're assuring the people to _ taliban... they're assuring the people to stay in afghanistan. if something is happening, this was a bil something is happening, this was a big change. something is not possible _ big change. something is not possible to be not happening, but the people there are more safe than before _ the people there are more safe than before but — the people there are more safe than before. but i think this is a big

problem — before. but i think this is a big problem to the people of afghanistan, especially to the younger— afghanistan, especially to the younger generation, that given this conception— younger generation, that given this conception that the taliban are telling — conception that the taliban are telling them this is your country, you can — telling them this is your country, you can stay in afghanistan, in afghanistan.— you can stay in afghanistan, in afuhanistan. ., ,, �* ., ., afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid we have to — afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid we have to leave _ afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid we have to leave it _ afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid we have to leave it there, - afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid we have to leave it there, but - afghanistan. thank you. i'm afraid l we have to leave it there, but thank you very much. afghans will listen very closely to words like this. even more, they're going to watch what is happening on the ground in afghanistan. taliban leaders have written that the taliban made mistakes the first time around. one of his quotes was "we did not have the education to make a deal with the education to make a deal with the world." taliban say they have

changed. have they changed as much of afghanistan? afghans and others will soon find out. we'll continue our special coverage on these events, but for now, back to you in london. lyse doucet there. aleem maqbool is in washington for us. president biden is sticking to that tuesday deadline for ending the airlift operation. how much pressure is he under their to extend it? ads, is he under their to extend it? huge amount of pressure, to say that this mission will only end when everyone who needs to get out is out of afghanistan. that's american citizens, and we're yet to find out how many are left in afghanistan. also, all of those thousands of afghans who worked alongside coalition forces over the last 20 years. we've been trying to get out notjust years. we've been trying to get out not just over recent years. we've been trying to get out notjust over recent days, but over recent months and years in some cases. they've been trying to come over here, there were obstacles

during the last administration of president trump, but it was thought that over the last year, there would be expedited procedures for some of those trying to get out. a lot of those trying to get out. a lot of those who worked with the coalition forces who felt they had been promised safe passage to the us are still waiting, and now as we know, in the airport. president biden very much sticking to the timeline, and so too is the department of defence. we heard from them this morning. they said they feel they are on track, but there are concerns about security, that those thousands of us troops on the ground, there are threats towards them. we heard about islamic state threats that appeared to be manifesting there. so, they

say they will complete the task by next week, but they do also need to get out there troops and some equipment, although we heard from the pentagon that lives will be the priority. if they have to leave equipment behind, they will. jae equipment behind, they will. joe biden equipment behind, they will. joe biden has been under lots of criticism, notjust in the states, but in around the world. what has been the political fallout in the us? ., , been the political fallout in the us? ._ , us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical — us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical of _ us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical of the _ us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical of the way _ us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical of the way this - us? certainly, republicans have been heavily critical of the way this has - heavily critical of the way this has all been done. holes in the two parties appear to show that the majority of the people agreed the withdrawal have to happen —— polls. but there is, there are huge problems in terms of the republicans saying they have huge problems with the way it's been done. but also

from polls over recent days. 60—70% of americans in general feel that the way this has been handled has been a problem. politically, democrats too have been hugely critical of the humanitarian impact of the way all of this has been handled. it is democratic led committees on capitol hill that are now investigating some of the problems with what has happened over the last couple weeks. huge problems notjust the last couple weeks. huge problems not just with the way the evacuation mission has been handled, but the way the entire withdrawal has been handled in terms of sign posting to the taliban when americans would leave, such that it wasn't conditions based withdrawal, where they said, the white house said current certain conditions had to be achieved. many have described as an

arbitrary deadline, the 11th of september, by which the troop withdrawal would be completed. that for many felt like the wrong way to go about this. for many felt like the wrong way to go about this-— for many felt like the wrong way to go about this. thank you very much indeed. retired general sir richard barrons is former commander ofjoint forces command and has served in afghanistan. thank you very much for being with us. the foreign secretary was saying we've got days and going to use every hour and day to get the remaining people out, but the window for people to get out is closing very rapidly because although the deadline is tuesday, the troops have to get out by then as well. absolutely right. there are two problems which are not really going to be overcome. 0ne problems which are not really going to be overcome. one is there's a deadline and you've got an awful lot of people still through the airport.

secondly, it is now the case that many afghans who we would want to take out are too afraid to go to the airport, even if they have the right documents. 0ne airport, even if they have the right documents. one way or another, we can safely assume that in this evacuation concludes, there will be maybe 1000 or 2000 entitled personnel who will still be in kabul. th personnel who will still be in kabul. , personnel who will still be in kabul ,. personnel who will still be in kabul. , . , kabul. in terms of the security situation around _ kabul. in terms of the security situation around the _ kabul. in terms of the security situation around the airport, i situation around the airport, president biden has been talking about that. i suppose as the troops start to the road to all, does that situation become more dangerous —— start to withdrawal? taste situation become more dangerous -- start to withdrawal?— start to withdrawal? we can take some confidence _ start to withdrawal? we can take some confidence from _ start to withdrawal? we can take some confidence from the - start to withdrawal? we can take some confidence from the fact i start to withdrawal? we can take l some confidence from the fact that the taliban are holding the ring outside the airport. the taliban have no more interest than we do in a terrorist attack on the airport and on the people. so, that is a

help, but as the international force things out, it becomes less capable to do many things concurrently. the very worst outcome in this evacuation would be that a wave of people breaches the security and gets into the airport. that will be obviously very difficult to unpick. you served in afghanistan. what are your thoughts about the way all of this has been handled by the americans, in particular, president biden? t americans, in particular, president biden? ~ , americans, in particular, president biden? ,, , ., , biden? i think this outcome is deel biden? i think this outcome is deeply regrettable. _ biden? i think this outcome is deeply regrettable. as - biden? i think this outcome is deeply regrettable. as your i deeply regrettable. as your correspondent described, the united states have gone for a calendar based exit rather than a conditions based exit rather than a conditions based exit, and that meant they would go... and it dropped the opportunity to leverage in. and i

think we should have done better than that. i think the way things have turned out, nobody, not even the taliban foresaw that. we ended up the taliban foresaw that. we ended up in a situation where kabul was invested by the taliban, and we just sat on the airport. then you have the problem of the evacuation. getting just sort of 100,000 people out is pretty successful. we should have been in this in the first place —— shouldn't. share have been in this in the first place -- shouldn't-— -- shouldn't. are you angry? after 20 years. — -- shouldn't. are you angry? after 20 years. so _ -- shouldn't. are you angry? after 20 years, so much _ -- shouldn't. are you angry? after 20 years, so much british - -- shouldn't. are you angry? after 20 years, so much british and - 20 years, so much british and americans who have sacrificed lives in afghanistan, do you feel what was achieved there is going to be squandered entirely? 50. achieved there is going to be squandered entirely? so, i'm deeply disappointed — squandered entirely? so, i'm deeply disappointed in _ squandered entirely? so, i'm deeply disappointed in the _ squandered entirely? so, i'm deeply disappointed in the strategic - disappointed in the strategic outcome. i'm equally confident that in those years, which are now more than six years ago, when british troops were leading the fight and fighting hard, they were doing an

excellentjob. they were genuinely creating opportunity for the afghan government, which nobody chose to pick up. but we were doing a very good job at the time. the way things have turned out, people say trillion dollars for american presence, that's not an elegant outcome. i don't think angry is very helpful. i think we need to focus on where we can go over here because there are very many things that can still be salvaged with this taliban redeem if the international community comes together. the international community comes to . ether. ., the international community comes touether. ., , ., together. you say this taliban re . ime, together. you say this taliban regime. do — together. you say this taliban regime. do you _ together. you say this taliban regime, do you think - together. you say this taliban regime, do you think this - together. you say this taliban regime, do you think this is i together. you say this taliban regime, do you think this is a | regime, do you think this is a different taliban? they have themselves claimed that there is going to be a lighter touch, lester kania, less violent —— lester cohen in.

kania, less violent -- lester cohen in. ., . ., ., r kania, less violent -- lester cohen in. ., . ., ., ~ ., kania, less violent -- lester cohen in. -- draconian. and have been exosed in. -- draconian. and have been exposed to _ in. -- draconian. and have been exposed to the _ in. -- draconian. and have been exposed to the world _ in. -- draconian. and have been exposed to the world works, - in. -- draconian. and have been exposed to the world works, i i in. -- draconian. and have been i exposed to the world works, i think they mean some of the things what they mean some of the things what they say, but what they understand is a more liberal regime is not what you and i would understand. but i think the taliban is not a monolithic organisation, and there are further ahead who are younger, very radical. it could be the first time in kabul, and their sense will be very different from the leadership. wejust be very different from the leadership. we just don't know how good their communications are. i think we should anticipate a rocky ride and go with actions rather than words. sir ride and go with actions rather than words. ,, . ., ., , ., words. sir richard barrons, former commander _ words. sir richard barrons, former commander of— words. sir richard barrons, former commander of joint _ words. sir richard barrons, former commander of joint forces, - words. sir richard barrons, former commander of joint forces, thank i words. sir richard barrons, former i commander of joint forces, thank you very much for your and alex's. ——

your analysis. the uk recorded 35,847 77.4% of over 16 �*s have now had two doses of the covid vaccine. a study looked at data on more than a million people who had been double jobs with either the pfizer or astorguie in and of the vaccine. the government is expected to begin offering some people a covid boosterjab next month, as sophie hutchinson reports. how were you after your first vaccination? i was all right. i was just a bit fatigued. just how long vaccines offer

protection and whether we need boosters is a crucial question ahead of the winter. today's study adds to growing evidence that over time covid vaccines become less effective at stopping infections. it examined 1.2 million positive test results between may and july this year and found that protection from the pfizer vaccine seemed to reduce from 88% to 74% over five to six months and astrazeneca from 77% to 67% over four to five months. importantly, this is about preventing a covid infection. hospital figures suggest that both vaccines have continued to protect against severe illness in many people. all the evidence points to good, sustained protection against hospitalisation at the moment. but obviously, we're having to watch that very carefully during the current wave and seeing if there are any signs that people who received the vaccines earliest, that is the elderly, the health care workers, are beginning to lose their protection against serious illness. public health england estimates that nearly 85,000 deaths have been

prevented as a result of the covid—19 vaccination programme in england so far. however, the study�*s lead investigator said vaccine efficacy could drop to 50% by the winter and boosters would be needed. it's bringing into focus this need for some action. we can'tjust sit by and see the protectiveness slowly waning while cases are still high and a chance of infection is still high as well. the government has said there will be boosterjabs sometime in september, starting with those most at risk of severe covid—19. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. we are going to talk a bit more to professor tim spectre, who just saw in that report from king's college london, and are you surprised anyway by these findings? yes.

london, and are you surprised anyway by these findings?— by these findings? yes, i was a bit disappointed. _ by these findings? yes, i was a bit disappointed, because we - by these findings? yes, i was a bit| disappointed, because we reported from the covid data earlier in the year, the first results of the vaccine effectiveness, and it was looking actually better than we expected in the early days, and that was really important. so i think these results were a bit of a disappointment, but, actually, no different to what virologists had expected from any vaccine, so i think that's the other point to make, that it is certainly better than most flu vaccines, etc, and perhaps we should expected they would be going like this, but i think we were misled by the early data showing 95% protection, so this is a bit of a wake—up call for all of us. but people vaccinated back in

january coming down with covid again, the reality is on the ground that no faxing is 100% successful and they do wear out. and i think this is a wake—up call to all of us to do something about its. tt to do something about its. it wake—up call to do something about it, and you mean by that we need to have booster vaccines this autumn? if our intention is still to keep deaths and hospitalisations to a minimum, absolutely we need to do that, and we need to have a clear plan. and realise it is not what be as similar as the first two vaccinations because you cannotjust give it to everybody by h again. that would be very wasteful. we've also got the question of some people have already had a natural third booster, if you like, because they've had covid, and that's going to be another factor in determining who should get the boosters, who should not, and etiquette is going to much more complex than we have

seen before, we need to get going out we're going to get enough people donein out we're going to get enough people done in time before things really heat up. —— i think it is going to be. heat up. -- i think it is going to be. . , heat up. -- i think it is going to be. ., , ., , be. that is an interesting point. if ou had be. that is an interesting point. if you had to _ be. that is an interesting point. if you had to vaccines _ be. that is an interesting point. if you had to vaccines and _ be. that is an interesting point. if you had to vaccines and had - be. that is an interesting point. if| you had to vaccines and had covid, does that give you added protection, the fact you have had it? me the fact you have had it? we believe so. we the fact you have had it? we believe so- we have — the fact you have had it? we believe so. we have not _ the fact you have had it? we believe so. we have not actually _ the fact you have had it? we believe so. we have not actually analysed i so. we have not actually analysed our data fully enough. we have that answer in a couple of weeks, but looking back at the beginning of the year with the different variants, that was definitely the case, and so i would expect those people, if you have the antibodies or... may well be told they don't need that booster now, because it is pretty good immunity for most viruses in general if you have actually had the disease itself. so those people, which is

maybe a third of the country... anti—vaccination people might take from it your sink about their you are, the vaccines wane within a few months anyway... are, the vaccines wane within a few months anyway- - -_ are, the vaccines wane within a few months anyway... you've only got to look at the data _ months anyway... you've only got to look at the data on deaths _ months anyway... you've only got to look at the data on deaths and to - look at the data on deaths and to see that it has it a several full factor even now in four months or so. it is still going to be giving you several fold better protection against death or ending up in icu, so i think they're showing they're still very effective, they have a finite life, and you get your antibodies topped up. and if you don't... something we don't talk

about as much nowadays as long covid. ., , ., , about as much nowadays as long covid. ., ., ., covid. professor, always good to talk to you- _ covid. professor, always good to talk to you. thank _ covid. professor, always good to talk to you. thank you _ covid. professor, always good to talk to you. thank you very - covid. professor, always good to| talk to you. thank you very much indeed for being with us this evening. mt; indeed for being with us this evenina. y , .,, let's change gear and get all the sports news at the bbc sport centre this evening. it is austin halewood. hi, ben, good evening. we've got all the news from day1 of the paralympics to come, but first we start with cricket, because england are in a commanding position on day one of their third test against india at headingley. the visitors chose to bat — and they've probably regretted that ever since because they were bowled out for just 78 before tea. once again, jimmy anderson was the man to lead the charge for england. he took two early wickets — including one in the first over — before getting captain virat kohli forjust seven. the key wicket. 0llie robinson took two

wickets, but they blew them away after lunch — craig 0verton taking two in two balls before sam curran did exactly the same thing, leaving india bowled out forjust 78. and so far include have kept up the momentum with the bad. a really strong foundation. they are currently 78 without loss, so the scores are level right now. paralympics gb are fifth on the medals table after day1 of the games, with one gold, four silvers and a bronze so far. the first gold won by who else but dame sarah storey? she smashed her own world record and beat team—mate crystal lane—wright in the final of the c5 3,000—metre individual pursuit. it's the 43—year—old's 15th paralympic title, as patrick gearey reports. the seemingly never—ending story. dame sarah storey won her first paralympic medal in barcelona in 1992, and yet here she was breaking the c5 pursuit record — her own world record — in qualifying, aged a3. so, to the final. 0n the right of your screen, storey�*s opponent,

crystal lane—wright — a fellow brit from her saddle guaranteed the best seat in the house for another remarkable piece of storey glory. in the individual pursuit, it's all over if one cyclist catches the other. seven laps in, the great dame was approaching fast. and dame sarah storey catches crystal lane—wright! sarah storey�*s15th gold medal won in her eighth games across two sports, this time with her family miles away. to see her finish required an early start. yeah, as soon as i wake up, i was like, "dad, what are you doing?" it was totally worth it. and i was screaming my head off for her! as soon as she came and got quite close to crystal, i knew she was going to win. that faith was well placed. and if sarah storey wins her other two events in tokyo, she'll be officially britain's most successful paralympian. she is probably already our greatest one. patrick gearey, bbc news.

definitely worth the early wake—up call. harry kane says he will be staying at tottenham this summer, despite intense speculation about the england captain's future at the club. in a statement on social media, kane said he's 100% focused on helping the team achieve success, and that the messages of support he's had in the last few weeks have been incredible. manchester city had been keen to sign kane, who only referred to staying this summer, but his manager is confident the issue won't come up again injanuary. no, iam no, i am not worried at all. it is day by day. he is an option for tomorrow. this is the only thing, it is in my only thought, trying make the best decisions to help the team for tomorrow and here is one of the options for tomorrow. did for tomorrow and here is one of the options for tomorrow.— options for tomorrow. did he say to ou he is options for tomorrow. did he say to you he is committed _ options for tomorrow. did he say to you he is committed for— options for tomorrow. did he say to you he is committed for the - options for tomorrow. did he say to l you he is committed for the season? i am you he is committed for the season? i am not _ you he is committed for the season? i am not going to say but we speak about. it is between us.

in defending champion roglic has bounced back from his crash yesterday — to win stage 11 of the vuelta a espana. the slovenian was the strongest on the uphill finish, taking the lead with the end in sight. despite the win though he's still almost two minutes behind overall leader — norway's 0dd christian eiking. britain's adam yates has moved up to eighth overall, almost five minutes off the lead though. and that is all your sport for now, ben. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. we have got more from the sport and the paralympics. as we've heard, great britain have a haul of medals after day one of the paralympic games in tokyo. the team have secured six so far, three in the pool and three in the velodrome. and it was gold for dame sarah storey in the individual pursuit. that's her 15th paralympic title

and fourth consecutive victory in the c5 3,000—metre individual pursuit. joining me now is former paralympics gb cyclistjon—allan butterworth, who won medals at the rio and london games. thank you very much indeed for being with us. i have seen sarah storey described as superhuman. it is pretty incredible. i think 43 years of age. pretty incredible. i think 43 years ofaae. ~ , pretty incredible. i think 43 years ofaae. �* , x: pretty incredible. i think 43 years ofaae. �* , g; ., pretty incredible. i think 43 years ofaae. , g; ., of age. absolutely. 43, not slowing down et. of age. absolutely. 43, not slowing down yet- the _ of age. absolutely. 43, not slowing down yet. the world _ of age. absolutely. 43, not slowing down yet. the world record, - of age. absolutely. 43, not slowing down yet. the world record, even l down yet. the world record, even that caught me by surprise. did not expect that. that caught me by surprise. did not expect that-— that caught me by surprise. did not i expect that-_ she expect that. how does she do it? she has passion — expect that. how does she do it? she has passion for _ expect that. how does she do it? she has passion for sport, _ expect that. how does she do it? she has passion for sport, the _ expect that. how does she do it? she has passion for sport, the national. has passion for sport, the national lottery plays a massive part in being able to train full—time... yeah, it is grassroots ports and she started the journey off. tt is yeah, it is grassroots ports and she started the journey off.— started the “ourney off. it is her 15th title. started the journey off. it is her 15th title. do _ started the journey off. it is her 15th title. do you _ started the journey off. it is her 15th title. do you think - 15th title. do you think there's quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely- _ quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she _ quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she is _ quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she is going - quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she is going to - quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she is going to win i quite a lot more to come? yeah, absolutely. she is going to win a| absolutely. she is going to win a medal again i would probably predict twice? definitely one of those would

be a goal. that is the confidence i've got in sarah. and probably going on today three is the way. i cannot see her retiring at. fiend cannot see her retiring at. and 'ust, it cannot see her retiring at. and just. it is _ cannot see her retiring at. and just, it is been _ cannot see her retiring at. and just, it is been a _ cannot see her retiring at. and just, it is been a good start generally, it hasn't its, in tokyo? meadows in the velodrome... brute meadows in the velodrome... we are... meadows in the velodrome... we are--- yeah. _ meadows in the velodrome... 2 are... yeah, obviously sarah winning the gold, and then is it for five silver so far? a bronze? a great first day. silver so far? a bronze? a great first da . �* ., silver so far? a bronze? a great first da . . ., ., i. ,, first day. and how hard you think it would be, first day. and how hard you think it would be. say _ first day. and how hard you think it would be. say it— first day. and how hard you think it would be, say it was _ first day. and how hard you think it would be, say it was you, - first day. and how hard you think it would be, say it was you, you - first day. and how hard you think it would be, say it was you, you had| would be, say it was you, you had those great crowds, amazing crowds in rio and london, but to have no spectators there? psychologically, is that difficult, or do you blank that out and focus on your sport? t that out and focus on your sport? i think everyone is individual. he personally, i really like the

crowds. they kind of make me get fired up for the events and it makes me a better racer. a lot of these athletes now, knowing there may not be spectators of their professionals and it kind of train for this. training is generally not with spectators, so you're probably more drilled to no spectators then you are having a full crowd, so it is actually more normal not to have spectators. i think treated like a training session and don't think about it too much, and some athletes, exactly helping. mi athletes, exactly helping. all ri . ht, athletes, exactly helping. all right, jon—allan butterworth, thank you very much indeed for being with us and enjoy the best of the games. cool us and enjoy the best of the games. cool, you very much. == us and enjoy the best of the games. cool, you very much.— cool, you very much. -- thank you very much- — extinction rebellion protesters have gathered in central london, on the third day of a fortnight of demonstrations around the capital. the campaign group, which wants the government to stop all new investments in fossil fuels, is calling this series of the protests the "impossible rebellion".

0ur chief correspondent justin rowlatt is there for us now. just tell us what is going on there right now, justin. i just tell us what is going on there right now, justin.— right now, justin. i hope you can hear me. _ right now, justin. i hope you can hear me, because _ right now, justin. i hope you can hear me, because it _ right now, justin. i hope you can hear me, because it group - right now, justin. i hope you can hear me, because it group of. hear me, because it group of extinction rebellion have messed around me, so it may get very loud very soon, but you can see the protesters have blocked the centre of oxford circus. about 2pm this afternoon, about 50 women came in and a van pulled up and, dramatically, the doors opened and they took these pieces of pink lego out, which they then built into this structure will stub the idea was it was going to become a table. they were going to say, come to the table, an invitation for people to come and discuss what they call the climate emergency we all face. the police very rapidly came in, same number, about 50 police came in, and

surrounded them. they did manage to chain himself together and build the basic structure, i hope you can see the sign they put up, but they did manage to setup, now there's a kind of stand—off. we actually got back from the teams of people who extract protesters from these kind of demos have gone in, about 20 or 30 policemen armed with big drills and boxes of tools have just gone into begin to cut away some of the people who have chained themselves in, but i'm joined now by claire farrell, one of the founders of extension —— extinction rebellion. what is the just occasion for coming here and blocking london streets? you also the un code _ blocking london streets? you also the un code red _ blocking london streets? you also the un code red report— blocking london streets? you also the un code red report that - blocking london streets? you also i the un code red report that came at the un code red report that came at the other— the un code red report that came at the other day. it lasted about 24 hours _ the other day. it lasted about 24 hours in — the other day. it lasted about 24 hours in the new cycle. there's never — hours in the new cycle. there's never been _ hours in the new cycle. there's never been a more important piece of news _ never been a more important piece of news to— never been a more important piece of news to all— never been a more important piece of news to all of humanity, so one of the things— news to all of humanity, so one of the things these protest to is they allow— the things these protest to is they allow it— the things these protest to is they allow it to — the things these protest to is they allow it to stay on the agenda, they allow— allow it to stay on the agenda, they allow people you guys to cover it more _ allow people you guys to cover it more broadly, and they show the

politicians — more broadly, and they show the politicians that there is a public mandate — politicians that there is a public mandate for change. but politicians that there is a public mandate for change.— politicians that there is a public mandate for change. but you know lots of people _ mandate for change. but you know lots of people who _ mandate for change. but you know lots of people who are _ mandate for change. but you know lots of people who are try - mandate for change. but you know lots of people who are try to - mandate for change. but you know lots of people who are try to get i lots of people who are try to get home from their work would say, look, look right if you got to block the streets? is this not an arrogant thing to do? —— what right have you got? thing to do? -- what right have you not? , ., ., got? there is nothing more ever aaain to got? there is nothing more ever again to the _ got? there is nothing more ever again to the people _ got? there is nothing more ever again to the people who - got? there is nothing more ever again to the people who have i again to the people who have collusion _ again to the people who have collusion against humanity to maintain _ collusion against humanity to maintain profits. unicef report came out the _ maintain profits. unicef report came out the other day that said 1 billion— out the other day that said 1 billion children all over the world are at— billion children all over the world are at acute risk from climate change. — are at acute risk from climate change, people who don't have a vote, _ change, people who don't have a vote, who — change, people who don't have a vote, who don't have a voice, who don't _ vote, who don't have a voice, who don't have — vote, who don't have a voice, who don't have economic independence. 0ur don't have economic independence. our family— don't have economic independence. our family of children all over the world _ our family of children all over the world are — our family of children all over the world are going to suffer the consequences. this is not very much disruption _ consequences. this is not very much disruption compared to what is coming — disruption compared to what is coming i— disruption compared to what is cominu. ., , ., disruption compared to what is cominu. ., i. ., disruption compared to what is cominu. ., ., . disruption compared to what is cominu. . ., . ., coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiest — coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiestjunction _ coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiestjunction in _ coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiestjunction in london, - coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiestjunction in london, but i the busiestjunction in london, but looking around, normally your members are wearing masks but we are in a pandemic. lots members are wearing masks but we are in a pandemic-— in a pandemic. lots of people know the rates of — in a pandemic. lots of people know the rates of transmission _ in a pandemic. lots of people know the rates of transmission outside, l in a pandemic. lots of people know

the rates of transmission outside, i cannot— the rates of transmission outside, i cannot say— the rates of transmission outside, i cannot say any more than that. lots of people _ cannot say any more than that. lots of people are vaccinated, lots people — of people are vaccinated, lots people feel more able to come out on the streets. _ people feel more able to come out on the streets, thank goodness, because this chris _ the streets, thank goodness, because this chris is _ the streets, thank goodness, because this chris is not waiting for things like the _ this chris is not waiting for things like the pandemic. this this chris is not waiting for things like the pandemic.— this chris is not waiting for things like the pandemic. this is day three of what is billed _ like the pandemic. this is day three of what is billed as _ like the pandemic. this is day three of what is billed as two _ like the pandemic. this is day three of what is billed as two protest. - of what is billed as two protest. what else have you got in store? what else have you got in store? what else have you got in store? what else are you going to do? the rest of the because of focusing on come _ rest of the because of focusing on come to— rest of the because of focusing on come to the table. we advocate for citizens _ come to the table. we advocate for citizens involvement. that is what these _ citizens involvement. that is what these protests are about, next week will be _ these protests are about, next week will be going towards the city of london. — will be going towards the city of london, exhibit —— want the government to advocate to not invest in fossil— government to advocate to not invest in fossil fuels. we want people people — in fossil fuels. we want people people is— —— to stop putting money into what is making _ —— to stop putting money into what is making the problem worse. you -- to stop putting money into what is making the problem worse. you are cominu at is making the problem worse. you are coming at the — is making the problem worse. you are coming at the impossible _ is making the problem worse. you are coming at the impossible rebellion. i coming at the impossible rebellion. why impossible?— why impossible? because it seems im ossible why impossible? because it seems impossible for _ why impossible? because it seems impossible for us _ why impossible? because it seems impossible for us to _ why impossible? because it seems impossible for us to respond - why impossible? because it seems impossible for us to respond in - why impossible? because it seems impossible for us to respond in a i impossible for us to respond in a grown-up— impossible for us to respond in a grown—up way to the situation. we have _ grown—up way to the situation. we have told _

grown—up way to the situation. we have told situational and generational classes on the horizon for some _ generational classes on the horizon for some people are not acting like it is a _ for some people are not acting like it is a crisis i— for some people are not acting like it is a crisis. i don't know what is going to — it is a crisis. i don't know what is going to take, but we feel... justin, — going to take, but we feel... justin, thank you. justin rowlatt there, our chief environment correspondent in central london, in the midst of those protests. the taliban's takeover of afghanistan has caused anxiety for afghan families settled in the uk, who are desperate to help their loved ones still in the country. many fear their relatives are now trapped. our special correspondent ed thomas has been speaking to people here and in kabul. the phone calls to kabul. the anguish, uncertainty of what comes next. inside, ifeel like i am

broken into many pieces. my body is here, my soul is in afghanistan. and so is the rest of her family — uncles, aunties, in—laws. most of them work for the afghan government or western forces. this is the picture of the taliban they have taken secretly, my brother—in—law. we blurred these images not to reveal the family home. so this is them in the house. this is the taliban. they want a female member of ourfamily. they just want to know where they are. they were just sitting there. is that a rifle? yeah, yeah. she says all the women in the family have been moved to a safe house. this is the problem they have, because they are in hidden places. we have to ring so many times. she is not feeling well, she cannot go to the doctor. she is saying she is really ill and she cannot go to the doctor or anything. they are eligible under the resettlement scheme, but we have heard nothing.

what do you think will happen to yourfamily? they will get killed, they will get killed. 100%, they will get killed. if i leave them and something happens to them, i will never be able to forgive myself. from manchester to kabul. it's extremely difficult, if not impossible. is that gunfire behind you? that's right. it's not so bad now, actually. at night, it was really bad. this is sher shah, a british citizen hiding in kabul with young children and elderly parents. my father is in his 805, my mother is elderly and ill and frail. i can send you pictures. they cannot survive without me. a family isolated, with decisions to make. going to the airport with young children is extremely difficult, if not impossible. the four gates to kabul airport are mobbed by thousands of people. i really wonder how many of them are genuine and how many are opportunists. documents are being faked all over the place. at the cost of a few pounds.

i wouldn't be surprised if some people managed to get onto flights to the uk with fake documents. but there are lucky ones. officially flown out of kabul, now in quarantine. the kids are sleeping in another room. this is amazing. khasrow is thankful, safe and alive with his family. kabul has collapsed. in the hands of the taliban. it was shocking for us. what have you left behind? my home, my friends. my ambitions, my future, my country. everything. we worked for nothing, i think. our special correspondent ed thomas there, speaking to people here and in kabul. the mother of claudia lawrence, who disappeared more than a decade ago, has said she's in shock, after detectives revealed they've begun a new search for her. claudia lawrence, who was a chef,

was 35 when she was last seen in york in 2009. 0ur correspondent alison freeman is at the area being searched, about eight miles from york. yes, well, it is to be expected that claudia's mum would be deeply shocked by this latest turn of events. in the 12 years since her 35—year—old daughter claudia went missing, nine people have been questioned, but so far the police have not said what has led them here to carry out these searches. but claudia's mum has told us that she is upset that she did not originally receive enough information before the searches began yesterday. i'm in total... i'm in another world. i'm in total shock. i wish i'd been prepared a bit more for it other than on the day. because i am certain this did not just happen on the day.

it must have been known about. and i had a telephone call saying there was nothing to worry about and allie had the same, so she did not bother ringing the police back. claudia's mum said she cannot think of a link between claudia and this area, but they hope the new searches mean light will be shed on the situation. sharon graham has been elected the first female leader of unite, one of britain's biggest unions. she'll succeed len mccluskey, a prominent critic of the labour leader, sir keir starmer. 0n the campaign trail, sharon graham argued that the union should focus more on the workplace and less on westminster politics. a report into the use of tasers by police in england & wales says the use of them risks "losing legitimacy" in the eyes of the public. the report by the independent office for police conduct was commissioned after a series of taser—related incidents involving black men and people

with mental health concerns. a little earlier, our home affairs correspondent sean dilley explained the issues laid out in the report. the concerns firstly, they are quite concerning. the independent office for police conduct, we should point out, they investigate malfeasance, wrongdoing, in the most serious cases or most controversial cases. and their concerns in this case are they found examples from, remember, the complaints that have gone to them about police where tasers have been used for noncompliance and not just a physical threat. they found that there is a disproportionate use of taser against people who are black, but in particular we should say a use of taser does not necessarily mean discharge. you're actually more likely to have one discharged against you if you're white, but to be on the wrong end of one, the unfortunate business end of one, if you like, if you are black, and they have said half of cases involve people with mental health concerns.

right, so those are the findings. what are the responses that are coming out to this? the most significant one comes from the national police chiefs council. they look after chief officers across england and wales, and they have said they are disappointed, they have said the report is vague, it lacks detail. they point out it accounts for a fraction, it's 0.01%, they say, of taser uses in the five—year period that the iopc has looked at from 2015 to 2020. just to give you an idea of context here. in 2019/20, there were 32,000 roughly uses of taser. the figures that were being looked at by the iopc are the most serious or controversial cases they have looked at and the national police chiefs council have been very critical because they say the iopc did not attend taser courses and they say there was not sufficient engagement with policing stakeholders. that's sean dilley reporting. the government is proposing to reintroduce beavers into the wild in england.

the plans would also give beavers legal protection, making it an offence to deliberately capture, kill or injure them. many experts say beavers would help restore natural habitats. sarah ransome is in ladock in cornwall. a spot of breakfast after dam building the night before. since these beavers arrived on the farm, they've helped regulate water flow and reduce flooding locally. this is their lodge, which they built for themselves, and they will be inside there now, getting ready to sleep or even sleeping. hunted almost to extinction, they are making a comeback. they are often described as eco—engineers, offering a natural solution to some of nature's problems. there is no doubt with climate change, we are getting more intensive rain and more flooding incidents, so holding water in our headwaters is going to be really, really important going forward. we can do it ourselves, but beavers do it much cheaper and much better,

so we ought to be enlisting them as a primary ally in climate change. the beavers here have been making themselves at home for years. they've been cutting down trees and making new water courses. but however cute these creatures might be, their presence in the countryside is still controversial. the national farmers' union says it will work with the government, but is urging caution, warning of potential damage to trees and drainage fields from these mammals that know no borders. we need to make sure that it's properly funded and that where damage does occur, that there is going to be adequate compensation as well. so, the issue is mainly around coming to this with a balanced, open mind, that it is not necessarily all going to be a bed of roses. this project here in cornwall and others in england have already

been looking at the impact on the environment. this new consultation will help to decide if, when and where the wider release of beavers should go ahead. sarah ransome, bbc news, ladock. 0k, reeta will be here with the news at six in just a moment. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. hello. tomorrow, little change, the day after that, little change. well into next week, hardly anything is going to change as this high—pressure persists across the uk, regionally there will be titled differences between each day. this is what it looks like on the recent satellite picture. clearly the majority of the country enjoying the clear sunny weather, but some eastern and

central areas have been quite overcast at times, and this pattern is going to get through the night as we see northerly winds affecting the north sea coast there and dragging in cloud further in land. that doesn't mean thursday morning with some of us are going to be overcast, from newcastle to norwich, but towards the west of scotland, once again, the sunshine rate for the word go. and once again glasgow is in for another beautiful day for some fine weather for fell fast, the irish sea is looking fine, that a bit of high cloud out towards the west here, but etiquette is the north sea coasts where we will see claudia some clueless weather for some temperatures in newcastle no higher than 15 degrees, some temperatures in newcastle no higherthan 15 degrees, in some temperatures in newcastle no higher than 15 degrees, in cardiff and that sunshine, the light winds, is run 23. surprise, surprise, the high pressure is still over the uk on friday. the winds are quite late in the centre of that high, to this is where the best of the weather will be those of the sunniest weather. and will feel warmest. towards the east and southeast, there is more of a breeze. that is because we are just closer to the low pressure that is in central

parts of europe, so it is pressure on the snort to coast. temperatures are on the high teens to 20 celsius on friday. here is our high on saturday for stub you can see changes shape from day—to—day. that does not really change an awful lot for us. itjust means that clouds will be in different places. you notice showers very close on the continent here. he probably will miss the southeast of the country. saturday, sunday and into bank holiday monday, the thinking is it is going to stay dry, the temperatures will be around the low 20s for the bigger towns and cities, coastal areas will be a little bit fresher. edinburgh at about 17 celsius. that's it for me. bye—bye.

britain says it will use "every hour that's left" to get people out of afghanistan, after the us refuses to extend its airlift deadline beyond next tuesday. huge crowds persist outside kabul airport — day and night, people wade through human sewage to try to get airside to flee. is it betterjust staying here in afghanistan for the moment? translation: there's no way we can stay here. - the americans should shoot us or let us through. with just six days left until the americans leave, we'll be asking, how imminent is the uk withdrawal? also this evening: the mother of claudia lawrence, who went missing 12 years ago, says she's in utter shock over a new police search for her daughter. i've prayed daily for answers,

even if they're bad. i've prayed daily for something.