was antony blinken secretary... that was antony blinken there, the us secretary of state giving an update on the situation in afghanistan, and we'll have plenty more reaction to his comments later on in the programme. this is bbc news. the headlines at 8pm. britain says it will use "every hour that's left" to get people out of afghanistan. people wade through human sewage to try to get airside to flee. is it worth staying here in afghanistan at the moment? translation: afghanistan at the moment? tuna/mom— afghanistan at the moment? translation: �* , ., , translation: there's no we can stay here. the americans _ translation: there's no we can stay here. the americans should _ translation: there's no we can stay here. the americans should shoot - translation: there's no we can stay here. the americans should shoot us| here. the americans should shoot us or let _ here. the americans should shoot us or let us _ here. the americans should shoot us or let us through. later in the hour, we'll have more analysis on the attitude of afghanistan's neighbours to the taliban, as well as what the next steps for those afghans who've made it to britain. also on bbc news... researchers say booster shots of the covid vaccine may be needed, after a study suggests reduced protection for the double jabbed after six months. 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. extinction rebellion set up shop at oxford circus on the third day of a fortnight of protests across central london. the protesters have blocked the centre of oxford circus, about 2pm this afternoon, around 50 women, members of the extension rebellion women's group, came through, and a van pulled up, the doors opened and they took these pieces of pink lego out. and dame sarah storey wins the first british gold at the paralympics in tokyo — the 15th gold of her career.

good evening. welcome to the programme. the government has promised to use "every hour" left to help as many people as possible escape from afghanistan before us troops withdraw at the end of the month. nearly 90,000 people in total have now left the country. latest figures released by the ministry of defence show that more than 10,000 people have been airlifted out of kabul by uk forces since 13 august. of that number, more than 6,300 are afghans and their families. a further 2,000 afghans who are eligible to come to the uk remain in the country. from kabul, our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani and camera operator malik mudassir sent this report. shame on them! they've been through so much already. now wading through sewage in the hope of somehow being able to leave this country. huge crowds are still flocking to kabul airport, under the watch of american and british soldiers.

despite the dirt, the dust, the gunshots and the chaos, people are still coming here, and they're coming here in their thousands. here, a makeshift camp has sprung up. most of the people gathered don't have permission to board an evacuation flight. the few that do are struggling to make their way inside. translation: we've been waiting here for six days and six nights. i the american embassy told us to come here, but we can't get past all these crazy people. is it worth it? is it betterjust staying here in afghanistan for the moment? there's no way we can stay here. the americans should shoot us or let us through. yesterday, the taliban said they're not in favour of afghans leaving. we saw no sign of them preventing people where we were, but they're clearly frustrated

with the scenes unfolding. with time running out, there's a sense of panic amongst those trying to escape. many worry they'll be left behind, like this former british army interpreter who is yet to receive a response to his application. it's very dangerous for us, because from the day the taliban entered kabul, i've changed my home three times, so two days, two nights we are living in one place. he's only got one document from the british army, and it doesn't even say who signed it. but we managed to find his former boss, now a retired soldier in the north of england. i absolutely remember him as one i of about eight interpreters i worked with out in afghanistan on my tour, and like all of the others that - i worked with, he was a brave, - bright, intelligent lad who actually genuinely wanted to do

better for his country. the british government says no—one's life should be put at risk because of their support for the uk's efforts in afghanistan and that it's working around the clock to relocate as many eligible afghans as possible. so are other countries. but these are the last days of the effort, and many who want to leave are set to left behind. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. after the us rejected pleas from european leaders to extend a presence in afghanistan beyond 31 august, time is fast running out for the uk airlift at kabul airport. british troops are likely to leave ahead of us forces. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, wouldn't spell out an exact timetable for the british operation, but there are suggestions it may have to end as soon as friday. 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale has more. already exhausted, but these british troops know that time's running out.

still trying to help as many as possible, but the window's fast closing. and soon they'll have to think of their own departure. the americans have got to be given time to get out after we have pulled out. it's about 48 hours which they've got left to actually extract people before they have to start focusing on their own extraction. western forces are still trying to have to worry about their own security to complete that extraction. aircraft have been firing flares as a precaution to avoid the potential danger of surface—to—air missiles. but securing the perimeter of the airfield as forces draw down will be a battle in itself. the longer we stay, starting with the acute and growing risk of an attack by a terrorist group known as isis—k, an isis affiliate in afghanistan, which is a sworn enemy of the taliban as well. every day we're on ground is another

day that we know that isis—k is seeking to target the airport and target both the us and allied forces and innocent civilians. they're no longer being called the enemy, but the taliban are waiting at the gate and still controlling access. some may look more professional, but there are reports of people being beaten on their way to the airport. the big question now forforeign governments is what kind of country will the taliban control? the taliban has professed a whole range and made a whole - range of undertakings. i think the reality for us is to be able to engage, not recognise, | not confer legitimacy, _ but engage and test whether they're serious about wanting to live up to those assurances, _ and be very clear about _ what the international community will do if they are, _ and what they will not do if we see the barbaric practices of the past. it is not like any other withdrawal. when british troops and us marines left helmand in 2014,

they had months to carefully prepare, and they were handing over to friendly afghan forces. in contrast, this has been described as the most complex evacuation in recent times. and as one military officer put it bluntly, "it'll soon be time to get the hell out of dodge." jonathan beale, bbc news. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kabul. she told us that, despite the evacuation efforts being ramped up, it's getting harderfor afghan civilians to leave the country. we are seeing on social media photographs of these huge transport planes paid for by well—meaning people around the world — and they're half empty, sometimes they just got a few people on the plane because, as the window closes fast, it gets ever harder even to get to the airport. we spoke to a taliban

spokesperson this morning who was unsympathetic and unequivocal that afghans should not be leaving the country, and there was only one root out — and that was through the americans. and we are hearing that in these last days, americans are prioritising american passport holders, green card holders, and sending away those who have these special visas which were established for a vulnerable afghans like those who had worked for the american military. but i think we have to remember that once the us, the uk evacuation stops, once the last aircraft turns off, afghanistan doesn't pack up and go. the neighbours and near neighbours will have an interest in helping this country's buses to run again, air system to fly, and the roads to reopen, for afghanistan to start getting back on its feet. jawed ludin, afghanistan's former deputy foreign minister and former chief of staff to president hamid karzai.

thank you so much for coming on the programme. thank you so much for coming on the programme-— thank you so much for coming on the programme-_ 50 _ thank you so much for coming on the programme-_ 50 you - thank you so much for coming on the programme._ so you knowj thank you so much for coming on the i programme._ so you know a programme. thank you. so you know a thin or programme. thank you. so you know a thing or two — programme. thank you. so you know a thing or two about _ programme. thank you. so you know a thing or two about the _ programme. thank you. so you know a thing or two about the process - thing or two about the process and the difficulty in running and governing afghanistan. the taliban are now in control — do they have the capability to run the country now? ., ., ., ., , now? not now, from what i can see, and really from _ now? not now, from what i can see, and really from what _ now? not now, from what i can see, and really from what i _ now? not now, from what i can see, and really from what i expected, - now? not now, from what i can see, and really from what i expected, the j and really from what i expected, the taliban has always been a war machine since they existed, even when they were in power in the 19905. but i think that the test right now is whether they know at least this much that winning the war and conquering kabul was one thing, and conquering kabul was one thing, and it may have been achievable for them — but will they really be up to

the task of actually governing the country? that's a much more difficult task. afghanistan now is very different from afghanistan in the 19905, since they were last in power. the 1990s, since they were last in ower. ., , ._ the 1990s, since they were last in ower. ., , ., the 1990s, since they were last in ower. .,, ., , power. people may have been surprised _ power. people may have been surprised about _ power. people may have been surprised about the _ power. people may have been surprised about the relative i power. people may have been l surprised about the relative lack power. people may have been - surprised about the relative lack of violence in the takeover, do you think there is still a risk now of violence, even descending into civil war? , ., , violence, even descending into civil war? , ., i, war? yes, that risk is sadly still there. there _ war? yes, that risk is sadly still there. there are _ war? yes, that risk is sadly still there. there are some - war? yes, that risk is sadly still there. there are some positive | war? yes, that risk is sadly still- there. there are some positive signs — the fact that they have so far been relatively lenient and dealing with places that are running more militarily, that they've not declared the so—called islamic emirate, that they have refrained from declaring some sort of rigid faction that couldn't be dismantled

easily, and they've actually been negotiating, on the ground on kabul, the leaders are still there from the former government and the former regime, if you like, and also from what i know with the international community. so all of those point to their willingness to engage and to actually probably show that they understand the difficulty of governing afghanistan is on a completely different level of engagement. it could be an opportunity to engage them, but it may well be a bit of a tactical buying time... may well be a bit of a tactical buying time. . ._ may well be a bit of a tactical bu in: time... . h , ., buying time... that's exactly what i wanted to ask _ buying time... that's exactly what i wanted to ask you, _ buying time... that's exactly what i wanted to ask you, is _ buying time... that's exactly what i wanted to ask you, is trying - buying time... that's exactly what i wanted to ask you, is trying to - wanted to ask you, is trying to gauge this level of sincerity, because their pr operation has certainly been very different to the last time around in the 19905, with regards to a, well, almost every area of civic life, really. do you think they've fundamentally changed?

no. i don't think it's for me to say, oranyone, really. ithink the best thing is, first of all, to take what they have and what they've shown, which is a leniency as an opportunity, and also to engage with them, to hold them to account on some of the promises they've made in recent years and months, statements they've made that are different, that they won't repeat mistakes of the past, that they'll try to put in place an inclusive government. all those things are easier said than done, but i think — i mean, the one thing that has come, the message that has come recently from some corners of the international community about holding them to their deeds rather than their words is a good one. my only fear is that,

you know, it's a good thing to pressurise them, but it's also important to engage them. because what else do we have? the west has relatively no leverage any more and afghanistan. so i think probably on balance, it's better to engage them and try and see if it actually can work, that they will really mean that they have changed as much as they have told us all these months and years that they have. i just and years that they have. i 'ust want to jump in i and years that they have. i 'ust want to jump in there, i and years that they have. i just j want to jump in there, because and years that they have. ijust want tojump in there, because you want to jump in there, because you mentioned that word leverage, and clearly that'll be tied to things like money, aid from the us, from the west�*s point of view. who now do you think has influence over afghanistan?— you think has influence over afghanistan? you think has influence over afuhanistan? �*, , . ., ~ afghanistan? let's be clear, i think the us and — afghanistan? let's be clear, i think the us and the _ afghanistan? let's be clear, i think the us and the west _ afghanistan? let's be clear, i think the us and the west in _ afghanistan? let's be clear, i think the us and the west in general - afghanistan? let's be clear, i thinkl the us and the west in general have lost significant leverage. they are no longer calling the shots in afghanistan, it is the regional countries that do, like pakistan, china, russia, qatar — it's

countries like that. but to the extent that they will still be —— there will still be a role for the west and afghanistan will significantly depend far on its humanitarian needs in the future, on help from the west — that leverage could still be used. but it must be part of the process of dialogue with them. �* , ., ., part of the process of dialogue with them. �* , ., . ,, ., ., them. and 'ust going back to an issue that them. and just going back to an issue that we _ them. and just going back to an issue that we kind _ them. and just going back to an issue that we kind of— them. and just going back to an issue that we kind of touched i them. and just going back to an| issue that we kind of touched on them. and just going back to an i issue that we kind of touched on at the beginning, this idea of trying to take them at their word and engaging with them — the flip side of it is you have people who have worked with the government over the last two decades, worked with the uk and the us trying to leave afghanistan, the taliban as them not to leave. can you understand why people are so desperate to leave? let's face it, these people deserve to leave. i mean, the taliban — the

last memory any of us have of the taliban being and power was in the 19905, and it was a dreadful time to be there. so it is understandable that they want to leave, it's also understandable that they helped with the british and american forces, and others, and they probably gained that right to leave — now that that hasn't worked in the taliban is now backin hasn't worked in the taliban is now back in power. what i'm saying is once this all blows over —— evacuation is over, which will be in the next few days, the west should not basically... to me, it seems like this dealing with this humanitarian crisis, getting people over is, for the west, some sort of a guilty conscience. we are leaving, we failed afghanistan, let's get as many people as we can, and that's it. the more important task will

come later, what happens to the country the day of.— country the day of. that'll be the longer-term _ country the day of. that'll be the longer-term challenge. - country the day of. that'll be the longer-term challenge. i'm - country the day of. that'll be the | longer-term challenge. i'm afraid country the day of. that'll be the - longer-term challenge. i'm afraid we longer—term challenge. i'm afraid we have to leave it here, but thank you very much. have to leave it here, but thank you very much-— anthony blinken has been holding a news conference in which he said the state department was aggressively reaching out to american citizens still in afghanistan, and also that the us will do everything it can to help ensure those who want to leave afghanistan past 31 august can do so. figs afghanistan past 31 august can do so. �* , , , afghanistan past 31 august can do so. ~ , , , afghanistan past 31 august can do so. , , i, so. as the president said yesterday, we are on track— so. as the president said yesterday, we are on track to _ so. as the president said yesterday, we are on track to complete - so. as the president said yesterday, we are on track to complete our - we are on track to complete our evacuation by 831 august given the taliban continued... and casey determines that we must remain in the country that date. —— in case key. but let me be crystal clear about this — there is no deadline on

our work to help any remaining american citizens who decide they want to do so, along with the many afghans who have stood by us over these many years and want to leave, and have been unable to do so. and after 8.30pm we will be getting some analysis on the impact on the region — with an associate fellow from the chatham house think tank. and we'll be speaking to someone who fled the taliban in 2000 and how helps refugees — stay with us for that. the headlines on bbc news... britain says it will use "every hour that's left" to get people out of afghanistan — people wade through human sewage to try to get airside to flee. researchers say booster shots of the covid vaccine may be needed, after a study suggests reduced protection for the double jabbed after six months. 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.

sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mimi fawaz. good evening, welcome to the programme. 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 pretty quickly — because they were all out forjust 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. ollie robinson took two wickets, but they blew them away after lunch. craig overton taking two in two balls before sam curran did exactly the same thing, leaving india bowled out forjust 78. and if you thought the bowling was good, so far, the batting has been exceptional from england. both rory burns and haseeb hameed are still in as england finished the day on 120 without loss.

the way everyone bold today, and the way we fielded i thought was brilliant. and then, are batting, as well, i thought the guys who batted were outstanding. so yeah, we're just delighted that things came up for us. we had planned throughout the series, i think we've bowled pretty well throughout the series, and at times things don't go your way. but when things do go your way, you have to make the most of it, and i think we've done that today. paralympics gb are fifth on the medals table after day one of the games with one gold, four silvers and a bronze. three of those medals were in the pool. but it was dame sarah storey who got gb�*s first gold. she beat team—mate crystal lane—wright in the final of the c5 3,000 metres, individual pursuit. it's the 15th paralympic title of storey�*s career, and she's nowjust one behind mike kenny's british record of 16. she smashed her world record by over four seconds in qualifying and caught lane—wright after 1,750 metres of their race.

she's now won medals at each of the eight games she's attended. for lane—wright, who also set a personal best in the heats, it's the second silver medal at consecutive games in the event. there was also a silver for steve bate and adam duggleby in the men's b—4,000 indivdual pursuit. they were the defending champions but the dutch caught the britons in the final. 0ur paralympics reporter rachel latham looks ahead to day two. looking ahead to tomorrow, we will see ellie simmons in action. she goesin see ellie simmons in action. she goes in the 200 metres individual medley. but it won'tjust be her going for great britain, also grace harvey and maisie summers—newton will also be going in the 200 metres individual medley sm six ossification. people might think that ellie is now gold, but actually maisie has been chasing her tail up for a while now. so we will have to see who comes out on top moving on

to the equestrian, sophie wells hoping to continue with her gold medal streaked from rio, and pick up another gold medal. in the velodrome, we will see katina cox, the reigning champion in the 500 metres time trial. we will that she will have tough competition from canada — can she pick up another gold medal here in tokyo? we will have to see. to football, and the news that all tottenham fans had been waiting for — harry kane says he'll be staying at the club, despite intense speculation about the england captain's future. 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. after a brilliant night of action last night, there are just three ties in the league cup second round tonight. newcastle taking on fellow premier league side burnley. southampton travel to league two newport, and there's that

west brom arsenal tie. they try to get their season up and running against championship side west from. , �* , running against championship side west from. f , ., ,, west from. they've 'ust taken the lead west from. they've 'ust taken the read thanks h west from. they've 'ust taken the lead thanks to _ west from. they've 'ust taken the lead thanks to peer — west from. they've just taken the lead thanks to peer emerick - lead thanks to peer emerick aubameyang. and fifa president, gianni infantino, has asked the uk government for exemptions so that premier league players can travel to red—list countries for world cup qualifiers. english clubs have reluctantly — but unainmously — agreed not to let players travel to matches in countries that require them to quarantine on their return. the rules would apply to nearly 60 players, including everton's richarlison who would miss brazil's world cup qualifier against argentina, while liverpool's mo salah would also miss egypt's qualifiers against angola and gabon. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you on the bbc

news channel later on. the latest government coronavirus figures, show there were 35,8117 new infections recorded, in the latest 24—hour period, which means, on average, there were 33,828 new cases per day, in the last week. the most recent figures show there were more than six—and a half thousand people in hospital with the virus, yesterday. -- 6500 —— 6500 people in hospital. 149 deaths were recorded in the past 2a hours, with an average of 106 deaths a day in the past week. on vaccinations, 87.9% of adults in the uk, have now had their firstjab, and 77.4% have had two. protection against coronavirus starts to reduce within six months of people being fully vaccinated with the pfizer or astrazenica vaccines. —— astrazeneca. new research by experts working on the zoe covid study suggests that booster vaccines will be needed. 0ur health correspondent

sophie hutchinson has this report. more than three—quarters of adults in the uk have now had two doses of a covid vaccine, but how long that protection lasts is a crucial question. sarah, a head teacher, received her second dose in april, but injune, after herfamily all caught the virus, she became infected too. obviously, i'd been shielding at home, i'd been staying in different rooms, keeping doors and windows open, wearing masks in communal areas of the home. so i'd hoped not to get it with my double vaccine, but i knew there was always a possibility of getting it. it was obviously very disappointing to get it in the end, and my symptoms were just like that of a heavy head cold, really. i didn't have to stop working, i was working from home throughout that period. i had to rest a little bit more than usual, but i felt like it was a much lighter version than i had the year before. sarah's one of a growing number of people who've been infected despite being double—jabbed.

today's study by the zoe covid team adds to the evidence that vaccines lose some effectiveness over time. it found protection from infection, with both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines, reduced slightly within six months of the second dose. but for most, the vaccines still seem to prevent severe disease. what this study tells us is that we have to keep an eye on the level of immunity and track it as time goes on, so that we can make a prediction, one month, three months, six months into the future, of when a booster might be required. and infections have been rising sharply in some parts of the uk. scotland, where schools have gone back, hit another record high today, well over 5,000 new cases, with more than a third among teenagers and children. experts are warning the new term is likely to be difficult.

so i think we do need to be braced for a challenging period. exactly how high the numbers will be is very challenging to predict that. where i think we can be more confident is that levels of mortality are going to remain low, because we have study after study that still shows the vaccines are working. cornwall�*s rocketing rates of infection have been blamed in large part on a music and surfing festival. preparations are well under way for this weekend's reading festival, where thousands will gather, and where there are crowds, that is likely to be covid. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. the barometer�*s pointing to fair weather for the next few days. there really will be very little change from day—to—day probably well into next week, as this area of high pressure persists across the uk. the only regional difference across the uk will be the amount of cloud that we will have —

you can see earlier on here across many western and northern areas, and indeed the south, it was sunny. further east, and also across the midlands, we've had some persistent cloud. now this pattern will continue over the next couple of days, we'll see northerly winds here affecting the north sea — they will continue to drag in some cloud, so that does mean a pretty cloudy start for some of us on thursday. the further west you are, i think the clearer the weather will be in the morning, but you can clearly see that it's pretty overcast first thing. then quite a cool day i think on the north sea coast — only 15 celsius in newcastle, but in glasgow, it'll be 21, and cardiff, up to 23 in the sunshine. 26, 26 hello, this is bbc news, i'm lewis vaughanjones. the headlines. britain says it will use "every hour that's left" to get people out of afghanistan — people wade through human sewage

to try to get airside to flee. is it worth it is better than staying here in afghanistan for the moment? ~ ,, �* staying here in afghanistan for the moment? ~ ,, ~ , ., moment? translation: there is no way we can stay here- — moment? translation: there is no way we can stay here. american _ moment? translation: there is no way we can stay here. american should - we can stay here. american should shoot _ we can stay here. american should shoot us _ we can stay here. american should shoot us and let us through. booster shots of the — shoot us and let us through. booster shots of the covid _ shoot us and let us through. booster shots of the covid vaccine _ shoot us and let us through. booster shots of the covid vaccine may - shoot us and let us through. booster shots of the covid vaccine may be . shots of the covid vaccine may be needed after a study shows reduced protection of the double jab six months. 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. extinction rebellion set up shop at oxford circus — on the third day of a fortnight of protests across central london. the protesters have brought the centre of oxford circus about 2pm this afternoon, about 50 women, members of the extinguishing rebellion women's group came in and a van pulled up very dramatically, the doors opened and they take these pieces of sort of big lego out.

—— pink. let's get more now on our top story and the situation in afghanistan. the focus has of course been on the drive to evacuate state department reaching out to american citizens in afghanistan. what else was he saying? a lot of what he said _ what else was he saying? a lot of what he said at _ what else was he saying? a lot of what he said at the _ what else was he saying? a lot of what he said at the outset was - what he said at the outset was exactly about the number of americans are needed to get out. that's something that is been a hot political question here. and the administration has been vague about how many there are and he said for good reason because they are not entirely sure, americans don't have to reregister when they arrive, they don't have to deregister when they leave. he put some hard figures on it for the first time. he said they headed evacuated for thousand 500 us passport holders and their families.

another 500 were in the pipeline and he figured there were about 1000 more that they knew that they were aggressively trying to get in touch with to find out whether they were actually americans. because they aren't always in whether they actually want to leave the country and give them very close direction how to get to the airport. the other thing he said was that they were not expecting this effort to end at the end of august 31 after the end of the military mission. they were looking closely at how they could continue to provide facilitation in other ways to get everyone out who needed to get out and that would have been any american still there but also afghan citizens who wanted to leave. he said that the americans together with their international partners including the uk were going to be united in putting pressure on the taliban to allow that flow to continue and he mentioned some of the ways that can be used but pressure. which referred before, any sort of economic tool like development assistant or aid. diplomatic recognition, all of those

sorts of things. the international community would used to pressure the taliban to allow people to continue to leave. also to keep its promises to leave. also to keep its promises to respect the rights of all of its citizens including women and children. , , ., children. barber, the rest of the world looking _ children. barber, the rest of the world looking to _ children. barber, the rest of the world looking to the _ children. barber, the rest of the world looking to the us - children. barber, the rest of the world looking to the us in - children. barber, the rest of the world looking to the us in a - world looking to the us in a leadership role in the situation primarily because of their military superiority. especially around the airport. it is a filament everybody not when they go everyone else has to go. any feeling they are of reference to the fact that the international community have been asking for an extension and it so far has been completely ignored? ha. far has been completely ignored? no. there was far has been completely ignored? i157. there was no reference from anthony blinken about allies being just like disappointed and frustrated not only with the chaotic end to the work but also with the fact that the administration looks like it will be sticking to its deadline. he didn't talk very much about eight united international approach when he came to the issues on the ground. with

regards to approaching the taliban and making united demands about what they wanted to see with regards of working together to get as many citizens out before the deadline. but he did not address the criticism that we've seen from allies with regards to not only this two the way this was handled at the fact that they don't have enough time to get they don't have enough time to get the people out that they want to get out. , , ., ., out. the focus being on the drive to evacuate the _ out. the focus being on the drive to evacuate the thousands _ out. the focus being on the drive to evacuate the thousands of - out. the focus being on the drive to evacuate the thousands of people l evacuate the thousands of people waiting for flights in evacuate the thousands of people waiting forflights in recent evacuate the thousands of people waiting for flights in recent days but will with the impact of the taliban coming to power beyond the region as a whole? afghanistan is surrounded by pakistan and to the south iran and china to the east, all of these countries have a vested interest in the future of the country. interest in the future of the country. let's get more on this now with dr farzana shaikh — associate fellow in the asia pacific programme at chatham house, the international affairs think tank. thank you for coming on the programme. it's a fascinating issue now as we watch what happens in the

region. let's start with pakistan. what will be the response of pakistan to the taliban coming into power? i pakistan to the taliban coming into ower? ~ , , ., , pakistan to the taliban coming into ower? ~' , ,., , .,, pakistan to the taliban coming into ower? ~ , , .,, , power? i think the response has been mixed. on power? i think the response has been mixed- on the — power? i think the response has been mixed. on the one _ power? i think the response has been mixed. on the one hand _ power? i think the response has been mixed. on the one hand clearly - power? i think the response has been mixed. on the one hand clearly there| mixed. on the one hand clearly there has beenjubilation and perhaps even a sense of some satisfaction. but at the same time, also concern and consternation about how this is going to play out. consternation about how this is going to play out-— consternation about how this is going to play out. what about the issue for example, _ going to play out. what about the issue for example, refugees - going to play out. what about the issue for example, refugees from j issue for example, refugees from afghanistan tried to cross the border into pakistan? pakistan has made it very _ border into pakistan? pakistan has made it very clear _ border into pakistan? pakistan has made it very clear that _ border into pakistan? pakistan has made it very clear that it _ border into pakistan? pakistan has made it very clear that it can't - made it very clear that it can't really accommodate any more refugees. it's already has something like close to 3 million refugees that it has been hosting. but having said that, it's interesting that pakistan has not closed its borders

and that with the right documentation and paperwork are being allowed to cross the border. the elderly and those in need of medical treatment are also being allowed in. pakistan has made it very clear that it will not and cannot host any more refugees. and if so, it will house these refugees in camps along the border. that is interesting- _ in camps along the border. that is interesting. it _ in camps along the border. that is interesting. it should _ in camps along the border. that is interesting. it should be _ in camps along the border. that is interesting. it should be cleared i in camps along the border. that is| interesting. it should be cleared up so clearly by that. ijust want interesting. it should be cleared up so clearly by that. i just want to go back to pakistan's response, terrorism, fears and the international community obviously that afghanistan returns to the days of harbouring international terrorism. what role if any does pakistan play in that?— terrorism. what role if any does pakistan play in that? there is a sense of quiet _ pakistan play in that? there is a sense of quiet satisfaction in - sense of quiet satisfaction in pakistan that the taliban have finally as it were, become top dog

in a bowl. the taliban are seen very much as a proxy —— kabul. for two for pakistan. pakistan is something thatis for pakistan. pakistan is something that is been widely alleged in recent years, stephen two senior government ministers have now acknowledged that pakistan acted and provided sexually to taliban groups. and it is now also well documented —— sanction. logistical support to the taliban over many years. there is a sense of satisfaction. that pakistan strategic policy with regard to afghanistan has paid off. as i said, there is also concerned because pakistan believes that the rise of the taliban in afghanistan could embolden otherjihadist groups not least the pakistani taliban. who have been waging a campaign against

the pakistani state. let’s have been waging a campaign against the pakistani state.— the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their _ the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their strategic _ the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their strategic interest i to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan? i to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan?— to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan? i think there are reall two in afghanistan? i think there are really two main _ in afghanistan? i think there are really two main concerns - in afghanistan? i think there are really two main concerns as - in afghanistan? i think there are l really two main concerns as far as china is concerned. one is whether or not the taliban can break links with the so—called east turkestan islamic movement, the fights for the rights of uighurs and would havejun yang province declared its an islamist movement based in the western province ofjune yang which poses a threat to the chinese state. in china is very keen that the taliban should break its links and not provide any sanctuaries for uighurs islamist militants. that's one concern. the other concern i think that china has is really to take advantage now of the huge

economic opportunities not least in the mineral rich sector in afghanistan which offers these huge opportunities for chinese investors. thank you so much for coming on. so far the ministry of defence says is flown more than 6000 afghan nationals out of the country. in the long term the government has pledged to resettle 20,000 afghan refugees. let's speak now to mohammed asif, who fled the taliban in 2000 and now runs the afghan human rights foundation in glasgow, which aims to help afghan refugees integrate into uk society. thank you for coming on the programme. first of all, if we could start quickly with your personal story, why did you decide to flee? you see why people are fleeing, we see thousands of people are fleeing from the wrath of caliban. it was

the same even worse before 9/11 or 2000. -- the same even worse before 9/11 or 2000. —— caliban. when the world was solid or silent or not saying a word about the taliban because they were torturing the afghan family prior to 9/11. 50 torturing the afghan family prior to 9/11. so now we see after 9/11 when the world was attacked, the world suddenly woke up and they realise there is a regime called the taliban. but it wasn't really mattered when they were terrorising us, my brothers and sisters in afghanistan. and this isjust nothing compared to before 9/11. where mass killings and mass murder before 9/11. bud where mass killings and mass murder before 9/11. �* . , �* where mass killings and mass murder before 9/11. �* ., , �* ., _ ., before 9/11. and it wasn't easy and sim - le to before 9/11. and it wasn't easy and simple to flee. _ before 9/11. and it wasn't easy and simple to flee. nor— before 9/11. and it wasn't easy and simple to flee. nor were _ before 9/11. and it wasn't easy and simple to flee. nor were there in l simple to flee. nor were there in absence of challenges when you got here. what were some of the obstacles and the challenges that you found when you are adjusting to life here? i you found when you are ad'usting to life here? , ,., ., , you found when you are ad'usting to life here? , ., , ., life here? i personally came to london and — life here? i personally came to london and then _

life here? i personally came to london and then the home - life here? i personally came to i london and then the home office accommodation. and i was told by someone that london was full and they cannot have refugees any more. and there was this dispersed in policy and i was lucky enough to come to glasco, sent glass co., life was difficult, it was difficult, it wasn't easy. —— glasgow. there was rough meant that refugees were getting treated better and getting £300 a week and the reality was quite opposite. 21 years single asylum secret was getting £36 a week and 21 years later at the same angle asylum—seekers gets £37 a week. so generous of the home office. in 21 years they increase the allowance by £1. there was propaganda against asylum—seekers that they'll scrounge us thieves, theyjobs. now you see these greens of kabul 2a hours a day in iraq and syria and lebanon and libya. people now know why people are fleeing. just

libya. people now know why people are fleeina, , ., are fleeing. just look at the... peole are fleeing. just look at the... people can — are fleeing. just look at the... people can see _ are fleeing. just look at the... people can see those - are fleeing. just look at the... people can see those images| are fleeing. just look at the... i people can see those images and there has been an outpouring more generally of support. are you now going to be working and speaking to the government there to try and play your part with this latest number of refugees coming in?— refugees coming in? yes. we are lucky enough. — refugees coming in? yes. we are lucky enough. we _ refugees coming in? yes. we are lucky enough, we have _ refugees coming in? yes. we are lucky enough, we have a - refugees coming in? yes. we are lucky enough, we have a first i lucky enough, we have a first minister who is very kind and compassionate. on numerous minister who is very kind and compassionate. 0n numerous occasions she has said that scotland welcomes refugees. and scotland is willing to take as many refugees as possible. the problem is it's not in the hands of the scottish government that we work closely with the scottish government and other agencies to welcome afghans into glasco and other parts of scotland. indie welcome afghans into glasco and other parts of scotland.— other parts of scotland. we must limit there- _ other parts of scotland. we must limit there. thank _ other parts of scotland. we must limit there. thank you _ other parts of scotland. we must limit there. thank you for - coming on. bristol has pledged to take in ten families and here we have the labour

mayor. just talk us through the strategy there in bristol. we mayor. just talk us through the strategy there in bristol. we put in an a- eal strategy there in bristol. we put in an appeal for _ strategy there in bristol. we put in an appeal for private _ strategy there in bristol. we put in an appeal for private landlords i strategy there in bristol. we put in an appeal for private landlords to l an appeal for private landlords to bring properties forward because this is one of the real severe limiting things that limit our ability to host families here. so the appeals going out for private sets of landlords with the understanding that we will prevent services for those families who come here to help them. um? services for those families who come here to help them.— here to help them. why have you decided to _ here to help them. why have you decided to do _ here to help them. why have you decided to do this? _ here to help them. why have you decided to do this? it's _ decided to do this? it's the right thin to decided to do this? it's the right thing to do- _ decided to do this? it's the right thing to do- i— decided to do this? it's the right thing to do. i think— decided to do this? it's the right thing to do. i think there i decided to do this? it's the right thing to do. i think there is i decided to do this? it's the right thing to do. i think there is a i thing to do. i think there is a piece of naturaljustice, is that they are? certainly from the uk's perspective that people who have stood by our troops and by our institutions that they've gone into afghanistan and risked their lives for us and stood by us. beyond that i think it's the right thing to do anyway to contribute to a world that has provided people with a home, but

generally people for whatever reason. continent, climate whatever drivers have lost their homes. henge drivers have lost their homes. have how does this _ drivers have lost their homes. have how does this work _ drivers have lost their homes. have how does this work with _ drivers have lost their homes. have how does this work with government? obviously this will be an essential government coordinated plan and scheme. how does it work, what conversations do you have? government coordination, i think you'd need to hold those two very carefully because they don't always go together. we get announcements and then we await on the details. while we start working at the local level to work out how we will make this work. i think my challenge would be on this whole conversation around migration, the global conversation needs to focus much more on talking to city leaders. most migrants leave cities, travel to cities and returned to cities. 70% of the world refugees asylums thinkers aleve even in cities. targeted national leaders leaves you with a little bit of a false thought as your challenges and solutions are. . �* , ,

as your challenges and solutions are. ., �* , , . , are. that's interesting. the city the size of— are. that's interesting. the city the size of bristol— are. that's interesting. the city the size of bristol perhaps i are. that's interesting. the city the size of bristol perhaps the l the size of bristol perhaps the number of ten families doesn't seem that big. number of ten families doesn't seem that bi. ~ �* , number of ten families doesn't seem thatbi~.~ �*, ., �* number of ten families doesn't seem thatbiu. �*, ., �* that big. well, it's not. but that's about it soon _ that big. well, it's not. but that's about it soon that's _ that big. well, it's not. but that's about it soon that's responsibly. l that big. well, it's not. but that's i about it soon that's responsibly. we would take more of the resources become available. there is a huge difference between an approach that is hostile to people from outside as it looks for reasons not to take them but a place that does actually come up with you to bring people here we must offer the support services they will need to be able to settle. but we don't want to do is bring the family had come up again to bring people here we must offer the support services they will need to be able to settle. but we don't want to do is bring a family here, put them in a house with no support services they end up isolating alone and then support to deal with the trauma, the displacement to connect with the local economy to find a job and all the rest of it. we settle people with the capacity to make sure we do not responsibly. as we resources i'm a member of the global mayors migration council, ten mayors from around the world including los angeles and we've just put out our own statement to the un saying that we need national governments to fund

cities much more directly. but we need international donors and international organisations to channel their money directly to those cities saying as part of the global community need to step up and be part of the global, international network to provide homes to people being displaced. network to provide homes to people being displaced-— network to provide homes to people being displaced. thank you very much for cominu being displaced. thank you very much for coming on — being displaced. thank you very much for coming on the _ being displaced. thank you very much for coming on the programme. i the mother of claudia lawrence as she is in total shock after police has searched for her daughter in a popular spreadsheet the next fishing near york. claudia chef disappeared 12 years ago. danny savage has this. what happened to claudia lawrence? a search of these former gravel pits now used as fishing lakes near york may finally answer that question. for 12 and a half years claudius family has been living with the torment of her disappearance. police believe she was murdered. today her mother spoke about the latest search

for top i think there might be a light at the end of the channel there. i light at the end of the channel there. ., , light at the end of the channel there. .,, ,., �* , light at the end of the channel there. �* , ., there. i hope so. but 'ust as a mum, it's the there. i hope so. but 'ust as a mum, its the thought — there. i hope so. but 'ust as a mum, it's the thought that i there. i hope so. butjust as a mum, it's the thought that somebody i there. i hope so. butjust as a mum, | it's the thought that somebody might have done something to her and the fact that it's taken 12 years. claudia lawrence was last seen alive walking down this road on the way home from work. she lived in this chair is herejust home from work. she lived in this chair is here just a few doors down from the nags head in which she would often meet friends for drinks. the last known conversation she had were on the night before she disappeared and they were chats on the telephone with her mum and dad. i'm in another world. the telephone with her mum and dad. i'm in anotherworld. i'm in the telephone with her mum and dad. i'm in another world. i'm in total shock. i wish i had been prepared a bit more for it other than on the day. because i'm certain that this didn'tjust happen on the day. it must�*ve been known about. didn'tjust happen on the day. it must've been known about. claudius

father peter — must've been known about. claudius father peter lawrence _ must've been known about. claudius father peter lawrence died - must've been known about. claudius father peter lawrence died earlier. father peter lawrence died earlier this year not knowing what had happened to his daughter. jonah lawrence says her faith has helped her. i lawrence says her faith has helped her. ., , ._ ., , lawrence says her faith has helped her. ., , ., , ., her. i mean, i prayed daily for answers _ her. i mean, i prayed daily for answers. even _ her. i mean, i prayed daily for answers. even if _ her. i mean, i prayed daily for answers. even if they - her. i mean, i prayed daily for answers. even if they are i her. i mean, i prayed daily for| answers. even if they are bad, her. i mean, i prayed daily for i answers. even if they are bad, i pray daily for something. and i know they will come. pray daily for something. and i know they will come-— they will come. something has chanted they will come. something has changed in _ they will come. something has changed in this _ they will come. something has changed in this investigation i they will come. something has| changed in this investigation to lead to this new search the police won't elaborate on where any new information has come from. for claudius family this is another agonising to us in this 12 year ministry. eight woman and two children have died in a crash involving a motor home and ate lori. north yorkshire police at the a0 for—year—old woman, a nine—year—old girl in a five—year—old boy were passengers in the motorhome which is in a collision with a white hcv on a 60 foot near york last night. a spokesperson said the lorry driver had not been injured. graham is been

elected the first female election of the light one of britain's biggest union. a prominent critic of the labour leader christer keir starmer on the campaign trail. she argued that the union should focus more on the work place and less on west minister politics. the use of tasers by police needs to be reviewed to prevent officers from losing the trust of the communities they serve. that is the warning from the police watchdog put up a review of the vice by the independent office for police conduct found black people were more likely to face a taser and that some officers were not considering the risk of injury to vulnerable people. extinction rebellion protesters have gathered in central london, on the third day of a fortnight of demonstrations around the capital. the campaign group wants the government to stop

all new investments in fossil fuels — it's calling this two week long protest across central london the �*impossible rebellion'. 0ur chief environment correspondentjustin rowlatt has been at oxford circus. 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, 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 themselves together and build the basic structure, i hope you can see the sign they put up, but they did manage to set up, 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 extinction rebellion. what is the just occasion for coming here and blocking london streets? you all saw the un code red report that came at the other day. it lasted about 2a hours in the new cycle. there's never been a more important piece of news to all of humanity, so one of the things these protest to is they allow it to stay on the agenda, they allow people you guys to cover it more broadly, and they show the politicians that there is a public mandate for change. but you know lots of people who are trying 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? there is nothing more ever again to the people who have collusion against humanity to maintain profits. unicef report came out the other day that said one billion children all over the world are at acute risk from climate change, people who don't have a vote, who don't have a voice, who don't have economic independence. 0urfamily of children all over the world are going to suffer the consequences. this is not very much disruption compared to what is coming. i agree, you have chosen not the busiestjunction in london, but looking around, normally your members are wearing masks but we are in a pandemic. lots of people know the rates of transmission outside, i cannot say any more than that. lots of people are vaccinated, lots people feel more able to come out on the streets, thank goodness, because this crisis is not waiting for things like the pandemic. this is day three of what is

billed as two protest. what else have you got in store? what else are you going to do? the rest of the because of focusing on come to the table. we advocate for citizens involvement. that is what these protests are about, next week will be going towards the city of london, exhibit —— want the government to advocate to not invest in fossil fuels. we want people people is —— to stop putting money into what is making the problem worse. you are calling it the impossible rebellion. why impossible? because it seems impossible for us to respond in a grown—up way to the situation. we have told situational and generational classes on the horizon for some people are not acting like it is a crisis. i don't know what is going to take, but we feel... justin rowlatt there, our chief environment correspondent in central london,

in the midst of those protests. there was a big rise in young adults taking up smoking during the first lockdown in england. according to research and the number of 18 to 30 for—year—old to class themselves as smokers has increased by a quarter. it'5 smokers has increased by a quarter. it's not completely surprising because we all know how stressful particularly young people have found covid—19, the impact tech have on their lives. i think what's more important is how we address it. the lessons for the future are extremely worrying because we know that smoking once started is a highly addictive. currently it every young people who start smoking only one will quit before they die. so we need to get more investment by the government and helping people to can and motivating them to smoking is not the solution to the stress they

think it is. ., , ., think it is. finally the government is proposing _ think it is. finally the government is proposing to — think it is. finally the government is proposing to reintroduce i think it is. finally the government. is proposing to reintroduce beavers to 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 at breakfast before dam building the night before. senses beavers arrived on the farm they felt regular water flow and flooding locally. felt regular water flow and flooding locall . , , ., ., locally. this is their lodge with a bell for themselves. _ locally. this is their lodge with a bell for themselves. and - locally. this is their lodge with a bell for themselves. and they i bell for themselves. and they will bell for themselves. and they will be inside there now getting ready to sleep. 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. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. it's been a fine day across the uk, and the settled, calm weather is expected to continue for quite a few more days. tomorrow, obviously little change. the day after that, little change. in fact, well into next week, hardly anything is going to change as this high pressure persists across the uk. regionally, though, there will be subtle 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's going to continue through the night as we see northerly winds affecting the north sea coasts there and dragging in cloud further inland. that does mean that thursday morning for some of us is going to be overcast — for example, from newcastle to norwich — but towards the west of scotland, once again, it's sunshine right for the word go. and once again, glasgow is in for another beautiful day, fine weather for belfast, the irish sea is looking fine, a little bit of high cloud out towards the west here, but i think it's the north sea coasts where we'll see the cloudiest and coolest weather. temperatures in newcastle no higher than 15 degrees, whereas in cardiff, in that sunshine and light winds, it's around 23. so surprise, surprise, the high pressure's still over the uk on friday. the winds are quite light in the centre of that high, so this is where the best of the weather will be, the sunniest weather, and it'll feel warmest. towards the east and the southeast, there's more of a breeze. that's because we're just closer to the low pressure which is in central parts of europe. so, it'll feel fresher

on those north sea coasts. temperatures around about the high teens to 20 celsius on friday, so actually a little bit below the average of the time of the year. temperatures are on the high teens to 20 celsius on friday. and here is our high on saturday. you can see it sort of changes shape from day—to—day. that doesn't really change an awful lot for us. itjust means that clouds will be in different places. notice, showers very close on the continent here. that weather probably will miss the southeast of the country on saturday. so, saturday, sunday and into bank holiday monday, the thinking is it's going to stay dry, the temperatures will be around the low 205 for the bigger towns and cities, coastal areas will be a little bit fresher, edinburgh there at about 17 celsius. that's it from me. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, i'm christian fraser. our top stories: evacuations from kabul airport continue, but we are almost at the endgame. the us says 10,000 people are still at kabul airport hoping to get out — a number that could rise in the coming days. there's added urgency with president biden warning of the threat that comes from afghanistan's branch of the islamic state group. but who are isis—k? we will be in texas this evening, where donations are flooding in for the afghan refugees that are starting to arrive. afg ha n afghan translators already settled in texas say they need more help to evacuate families they've left behind. and in other news: why covid booster shots will be needed. a new study suggests the protection they give us wanes after six months.