this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. president biden promises to hunt down the perpetrators. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. meanwhile, the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. the risk of blood clots

is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. we'll bring you up to speed with the paralympics — where world records have been set in the velodrome and at the athletics track. coming up nearly a0 years since they last released new music — are abba about to make a return? we'll speak with the founder of a abba tribute band. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world.

the uk's defence secretary has said british forces have entered the final stages of flying people out of kabul. ben wallace said it was a matter of deep regret that not everybody could be evacuated. it comes after 90 people were killed in two bomb blasts. this includes 13 us military personnel. most of the dead were afghan civilians. an emotional us presidentjoe biden had a message to those behind the attacks saying, "we will hunt you down, and make you pay." the uk says the kabul bombings will not affect the the uk forces airlift timetable. so far nearly 1a,000 british nationals and eligible afghans have been airlifted out. but there is an acceptance amongst uk officials that it is not possible to remove everyone. the first of our reports is from graham satchell. for hour after hour, well into the night, the wounded were rushed to hospital. the chaos of the last week in kabul turned to carnage. some arrived by ambulance,

some in cars, some in wheelbarrows. afghans who had hoped to escape to a better life. just before sunset, there were two large explosions at kabul airport, the plume of smoke seen across the city. the attacks happened at the south side of the airport, one at abbey gate crowded with civilians, the other at the baron hotel, used as a centre for processing evacuees. this was the airport earlier in the day. despite warnings of an imminent attack and advice to stay away, it was packed, throngs of people desperate to escape. this one eyewitness�* account. me and my group waited for more than 25 hours. we did not enter the airport because of the security situation. wounded everywhere.

i cannot explain what we saw today. my word is silent. 13 us military personnel were killed in the attack, the deadliest day for america in afghanistan in a decade. president biden had this warning for is—k, the terror group responsible. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. the flag on the white house has been lowered as a mark of respect, but the loss of so many american lives heaps pressure on a president already being widely criticised for what's happening in kabul. president biden was defiant, saying evacuations would continue. america will not be intimidated. i have the utmost confidence in our brave servicemembers who continue to execute this mission with courage and honour to save lives and get americans, our partners, our afghan allies,

out of afghanistan. planes have started taking off again, but this morning the ministry of defence has announced the evacuation is in its final stages. no more afghans will be processed and it is likely today, we will see the last flights to safety. pashtana durrani is the founder and director of learn, a nonprofit she created to ensure women and girls have access to education in afghanistan. pashtana fled her home in kandahar when the taliban took control. the bbc is not giving her current location for her safety. it has been a number of days since we last spoke to you. how are you? it is an emotional time for us because every two minutes there is a new tragedy and we have not processed the last one and there is

another one. it is a roller—coaster of emotions right now. i another one. it is a roller-coaster of emotions right now.— another one. it is a roller-coaster of emotions right now. i am guessing ou will be of emotions right now. i am guessing you will be getting — of emotions right now. i am guessing you will be getting contact _ of emotions right now. i am guessing you will be getting contact from - you will be getting contact from people who are still trying to leave the country. people who are still trying to leave the country-— people who are still trying to leave the country. definitely. i have been in touch with _ the country. definitely. i have been in touch with a _ the country. definitely. i have been in touch with a few— the country. definitely. i have been in touch with a few people - the country. definitely. i have been in touch with a few people who - the country. definitely. i have been in touch with a few people who are | in touch with a few people who are in, and who are not part of any organisation or something but they still want to leave because of the ongoing vendetta.— still want to leave because of the ongoing vendetta. they will have to do that by land _ ongoing vendetta. they will have to do that by land now. _ ongoing vendetta. they will have to do that by land now. is _ ongoing vendetta. they will have to do that by land now. is that - do that by land now. is that correct? , do that by land now. is that correct?— do that by land now. is that correct? , ., ., ., ., .,~ , ., correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and — correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and they _ correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and they had _ correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and they had to _ correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and they had to wait - correct? they have to go to pakistan or iran and they had to wait there. i or iran and they had to wait there. 0nce or iran and they had to wait there. once they are processed, then they can leave for another country but only if they are eligible in the criteria. how would they go there? most of them are not literate. how

will they reach out? what will be the process? the campaigns, not everyone can access them. all these things concerning me. how everyone can access them. all these things concerning me.— things concerning me. how do you resond things concerning me. how do you respond to — things concerning me. how do you respond to the _ things concerning me. how do you respond to the suicide _ things concerning me. how do you respond to the suicide attacks - respond to the suicide attacks claimed by isis—k yesterday in the capital? claimed by isis-k yesterday in the ca - ital? ., claimed by isis-k yesterday in the caital? ., ., ., , capital? there are other factors riaht capital? there are other factors right now. _ capital? there are other factors right now, everyone _ capital? there are other factors right now, everyone is - capital? there are other factors right now, everyone is trying i capital? there are other factors right now, everyone is trying to i right now, everyone is trying to find a new enemy in afghanistan to blame it on them. the majority of the time the taliban have claimed the time the taliban have claimed the insecurity is because of them. and there will be over once the foreigners leave. but the foreigners have left, even if there are foreigners, it is because of them. so how come they are not even able to secure civilians? haw so how come they are not even able to secure civilians?— to secure civilians? how do you think things _

to secure civilians? how do you think things will _ to secure civilians? how do you think things will unfold - to secure civilians? how do you think things will unfold over - to secure civilians? how do you | think things will unfold over the next few days when the allied troops have left? in next few days when the allied troops have left? ., , , next few days when the allied troops have left? . , , ~ ., have left? in a sense, i think that --eole have left? in a sense, i think that people leaving. — have left? in a sense, i think that people leaving, people _ have left? in a sense, i think that people leaving, people who - have left? in a sense, i think that people leaving, people who want | have left? in a sense, i think that l people leaving, people who want to leave, people who are eligible will suffer a lot, they had to travel to countries who are hostile who to people who have worked in afghanistan full... we have to see how the public administration is going to be handled, women's education, women's rights, you have to wait and watch. i am guessing that they have to do good on whatever promises they have meat right now and they have to stand by those because there is no alternative to that, then cannot close the schools for ever, they cannot stop women from working for ever, they have to accept that this is how countries work and they had to accept the workforce and women and education and schools are the

way forward. the and education and schools are the way forward-— and education and schools are the wa forward. . ., ., way forward. the taliban told women to sta at way forward. the taliban told women to stay at wholeness _ way forward. the taliban told women to stay at wholeness me _ way forward. the taliban told women to stay at wholeness me until- way forward. the taliban told women to stay at wholeness me until they i to stay at wholeness me until they could guarantee their security. do you buy that?— you buy that? no, i don't. ifind it funn , if you buy that? no, i don't. ifind it funny. if you _ you buy that? no, i don't. ifind it funny. if you are _ you buy that? no, i don't. ifind it funny, if you are raised _ you buy that? no, i don't. ifind it funny, if you are raised by- funny, if you are raised by islamic values, you do expect women, you know how to respect women, how to respect women now, they will not know it in two or three months now. what are they going to do or achieve? respecting women all of a sudden, i don't understand that. ? thank you very much for talking to us. the uk defence secretary ben wallace has been speaking this morning — here's our political correspondent helen catt. he confirmed as the ministry of defence has that we are now in the final stages of that

evacuation effort. the last planes are going to leave today. it is now down to people who were already in the airport, the processing centre is now closed, he had quite a lot of detail about that to tell us, have a listen. at about 4:30am this morning we authorised the closure of the baron hotel that is a processing centre and brought across the british, obviously government officials that were working there, our military and indeed the people who were inside it for processing. that is now closed. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. that is effectively where we start to move to the next stage which is the evacuation of a 1000 troops. now, he would not say when the last british soldier would leave afghanistan, but he did say it would be before the us does. he was also really keen to stress that this was a preplanned timetable, the decision to finish flights today was not influenced by those suicide bombings yesterday.

the attacks were horrendous yesterday, but our plan was to leave last night. i knew it was going to happen at some stage. we have squeezed every hour and no doubt we will see stories in a few days' time in the media, why did we leave the _ land rover or why did we leave something, we did it so we had more people on planes, we did it so we had more hours. we squeezed it all out as much as possible and we have ended up with the situation that is a remarkable achievement, hasn't got every single person out, but it has— brought back to this country thousands of people, 15,000 people, some british passports already, but obviously a significant number of afghans who we now need to do the next step, they looked after us for— 20 years, let's now look after them. as you heard then, not everybody is going to be able to cut out. they have evacuated 13,700 people during this airlift but there will be people left behind and obviously

there is a lot of focus on what is going to happen to them. he had suggested that the uk will beef up its processing capacities in countries which surround afghanistan, the implication being that if people get over the border, then they can be processed there and then brought to the uk. but, of course, there are quite serious questions about how feasible that is going to be for somebody who is stuck in afghanistan. ben wallace also said that the taliban had been turning away afghan nationals who were trying to get to the airport yesterday, particularly if they did not have visas or foreign passports, that he saw that as the start of the taliban starting to exert control. there are a lot of questions about people who are in that terrible situation of having been left behind, how feasible it is going to be for them to now get out. with the evacuation efforts by air looking set to end — our correspondent yogita limaye explains how its still continuing on foot. we know that there are people crossing over every day

into pakistan from the border in southern afghanistan at spin boldak, and they are crossing over to chaman town in pakistan. the bbc has been speaking to some of these people, and they say that one woman said that her family has been separated. her son, who used to work for a british organisation, is left behind in, hoping to get out from there. she and the rest of her family have now crossed over to pakistan, they do not know when they will see her son again. people who have left everything behind crossing over in their thousands and we also know there is a crowd building up there. it is not exactly clear what criteria are being applied for those who are being let in, but we hear that they do not really have documents or permits as such. they are entering pakistan and going into different areas where they might have had families. they are a lot of

cross border linkages, people who have family on the other side of pakistan. and we are hearing reports of people going to the border on the other side, the west of the country with iran, we are not clear whether they are being allowed in there, whether people are getting in, people without permits, but the window is closing in. we have heard canada, germany, australia saying they have finished their evacuation operation, the uk in final stages, there are lots of people still in afghanistan, people i have been speaking to over the past couple of weeks who feared for their lives under taliban rule who had the required permits to go to other countries but feel stop now, the window for them to get out is closing and they are looking at other opportunities and other ways of trying to leave the country. the us says evacuations from kabul airport will continue — despite yesterday's attacks — as cbs news' bradley blackburn explained to me earlier.

president biden came in front of the cameras yesterday at the white house and said again that he is committed to this deadline to withdraw all us troops from afghanistan by august the 31st. they still believe they can get every american out of afghanistan who wants to leave by that deadline so the president is sticking to the deadline even when these attacks yesterday. he did say that there is some room, he is committed to remaining until every american is out who wants to get out. the military is also saying that they are working directly with the taliban to try and extend a perimeter around the airport. the taliban is responsible for securing the area around the airport, but officials know it remains a very dangerous situation there. how much olitical dangerous situation there. how much political pressure _ dangerous situation there. how much political pressure is _ dangerous situation there. how much political pressure is there _ dangerous situation there. how much political pressure is there on - dangerous situation there. how much political pressure is there on the - political pressure is there on the president because of his afghanistan policy, particularly in the light of the killing of us soldiers

yesterday?— the killing of us soldiers esterda ? , , , , yesterday? immense pressure, even before these — yesterday? immense pressure, even before these attacks, _ yesterday? immense pressure, even before these attacks, the _ yesterday? immense pressure, even before these attacks, the president i before these attacks, the president was also falling rather badly among americans, a poll here at cbs news said that majority of americans disapproved his handling of the withdrawal from afghanistan. we still have to see what these bombings are going to do to public opinion now but you cannot think it will be a positive reaction. earlier we heard from harriet haslam—greene. she's a former uk military intelligence officer specialising in global counter—terrorism and defence strategy. she also served in afghanistan in 2011. i think it is a really dynamic situation on the ground which is continually evolving. the us and we are going to be concerned to remain abreast of the most up—to—date threat picture. these attacks have demonstrated very fairly clearly is that the taliban are not able to

maintain security to the extent that we might need them to while we are conducting these operations in the face of the mounting threat. there have been strong statements prior to the attacks taking place from taliban spokesmen in apple mac saying they are keen to maintain control and to make sure it a transition as possible —— kabul, but as we have seen, what they are saying at face value is not being borne out by the ability to maintain security on the ground. these attacks have been fairly undermining for the taliban and their capacity to govern and maintain security on the streets. to govern and maintain security on the streets-— to govern and maintain security on the streets. ~ , , _ , the streets. when the president says we will hunt — the streets. when the president says we will hunt you _ the streets. when the president says we will hunt you down, _ the streets. when the president says we will hunt you down, in _ the streets. when the president says we will hunt you down, in terms - the streets. when the president says we will hunt you down, in terms of l we will hunt you down, in terms of hunting those behind these attacks down, how does one go about doing that? fit. down, how does one go about doing that? �* ., , ., ~ that? a great question. with the withdrawal of _ that? a great question. with the withdrawal of a _ that? a great question. with the withdrawal of a large _ that? a great question. with the

withdrawal of a large scale - that? a great question. with the withdrawal of a large scale troop presence on the ground, the nature of operations has to change. president biden has previously spoken including when he was vice president, of wanting to do more targeted specialforces president, of wanting to do more targeted special forces style operations in afghanistan. he was vocal about that ten years ago. i'd rather conduct far more covert targeted specific specialist operations using us special forces than have a permanent larger scale presence on the ground. ultimately, as the united states with drawers and western forces leave, the nature of some of those operations have to change. we are going to have soldiers there, to operate the way they have been doing previously. acid in the introduction, you served in afghanistan in 2011, how do you feel about what going on now? it is

incredibl feel about what going on now? it 3 incredibly different, for feel about what going on now? it 1 incredibly different, for anyone who has served there and has worked closely with the afghan security forces and local people, it is tragic and there are people who suffer are the population. we have seen that pasan with attacks. they were indiscriminate. they were focused on the death of serving us personnel but hundred and 50 afghans were injured, 90 deaths so far that were injured, 90 deaths so far that we know of, and most likely there have been more. afghan women and children, indiscriminate. it is heartbreaking. i speakfor children, indiscriminate. it is heartbreaking. i speak for other veteran colleagues, we are incredibly proud of the efforts of our service personnel who are out there who will be focused on doing as good a job as possible, getting people out as safely as they can and there will be time for discussion

around why we have ended up in this position, but right now, it is all about our forces position, but right now, it is all about ourforces doing position, but right now, it is all about our forces doing as good a job as they can, getting as many people out as safely as they can within the time constraints now and i feel incredibly proud of their efforts and my colleagues as well. a major review of vaccines suggests the astrazeneca jab does raise the risk of blood clots and another serious condition that can cause bleeding. however the researchers, led by the university of oxford, found the risk of such problems was still much higher after a coronavirus infection. the team said the findings showed the "substantial" benefit of vaccination. our health correspondent naomi grimley reports. earlier i spoke to dr andrew preston from bath university, who gave me his reaction to the 0xford—led review. it clarifies this decision that people are having to make when choosing whether to be vaccinated are not in terms of the risk that has been publicised, rare risks

nonetheless from the adverse events following vaccination compared with the very real risk of the adverse events following covid—19 itself and this report quantifies that risk using a very large dataset. it is clear that it has been less recognised that these rare blood clotting disorders are a very real risk of complication from covid—19 itself, notjust the vaccines. is itself, not 'ust the vaccines. is this itself, notjust the vaccines. is this reassuring is enough for those who are questioning have the vaccination? bill it will help some people who have genuine concern over this particular aspect of the vaccination and are trying to weigh up vaccination and are trying to weigh up the rest for themselves. with the virus still circulating at high levels now, i think this study really needs to make clear that it has been widely discussed that if you are not vaccinated, it is inevitable that you're going to

catch covid—19 at some point over the next year or so given the levels of circulation and this clearly indicates you run a much greater risk of these rare blood disorder is than getting the vaccine. i risk of these rare blood disorder is than getting the vaccine.— than getting the vaccine. i don't think it is going _ than getting the vaccine. i don't think it is going to _ than getting the vaccine. i don't think it is going to be _ than getting the vaccine. i don't think it is going to be for - than getting the vaccine. i don't think it is going to be for those | think it is going to be for those who are ideal logically opposed, it is difficult to dissuade from that view. the prime minister of new zealand says the country's national coronavirus lockdown will be extended till the end of the month, a further four days. from september the country will move to level three, save for auckland, the city at the centre of the current outbreak, and the northland. jacinda ardern said they were likely to stay in lockdown for another two weeks. let's get some of the day's other news the israeli prime minister naftali bennett will hold his first face— to— face talks with president biden in the coming hours. the meeting at the white house was postponed after the deaths of us soldiers in the kabul airport blasts. the talks are expected to focus on iran's nuclear programme and bilateral relations. dozens of children abducted from an islamic school in northern nigeria three months ago

have been freed. 136 pupils were seized from a seminary in tegina by gunmen demanding a ransom. six children reportedly died in captivity and another fifteen escaped injune. hundreds of greek health workers have demonstrated in athens against mandatory covid—19 vaccines. the government says workers must be vaccinated or take unpaid leave. the union organising the protest says the vast majority of health workers are already vaccinated, but it opposes compulsory immunisation. it's day three of the competition in tokyo — and more golds for paralympics gb. let's take you live to tokyo and speak to our correspondent rachael latham. if his been a busy day at the velodrome.— if his been a busy day at the velodrome. , . �* . . . if his been a busy day at the velodrome. , . �* . ., ., ., velodrome. great britain kadeena cox smashed the — velodrome. great britain kadeena cox smashed the world _ velodrome. great britain kadeena cox smashed the world record _ velodrome. great britain kadeena cox smashed the world record this - smashed the world record this morning in the 500 metres time

trial. she finished one second ahead of the rest of the field to get the gold medal. because it was a time trial, each athlete races separately. she was going last so she had to sit and wait and watch the rest of her competitors go first just before she went. it was canada kate o'brien who took to the track and she broke the world record. when kadeena cox got on her bike, she knew she had to be the world record again to win the gold medal. and she did. she nailed it. she brought home the gold medal. it is important to know even though kadeena cox and kate o'brien are new rivals, kate o'brien is not new to the sport. she 0'brien is not new to the sport. she competed for canada in the olympics for the velodrome on the track. she fell on her bike and acquire disability in 2017 and is making her debut and took the silver medal

behind kadeena cox. the athletic started today- — behind kadeena cox. the athletic started today. what _ behind kadeena cox. the athletic started today. what has - behind kadeena cox. the athletic started today. what has been - behind kadeena cox. the athletic. started today. what has been going on at the track. we started today. what has been going on at the track.— on at the track. we have seen two world records _ on at the track. we have seen two world records already. _ on at the track. we have seen two world records already. one - on at the track. we have seen two world records already. one was i on at the track. we have seen two l world records already. one was only 100 metres t 35 women's class. it was for china who took the gold medal and broke the world record. in the men's100 metres, it was the usa. day one of athletics, already two world records. at the aquatic centre we have seen a world record from reece dunn who went in the 200 metres freestyle s 1a classification and got the world record and gold medal. it is his second medal at these games. he took a silver medal on the one in the 100 metres butterfly. here in the uk —— it's five years this weekend since the last bhs store closed its doors for good, and since then other department

store chains have also disappeared from the high street. bbc analysis shows that more than 200 premises that were once occupied by those big stores are still empty. but some have been reborn. emma simpson reports. five years on, brand—new hotel bedrooms. the old bhs staff canteen, now a bustling restaurant. this hotel chain jumped at the chance to move on. buildings like this do not come along very often. seeing so many people get use of the space is just fantastic, we have had the opportunity to create new jobs for people, and to keep this building alive. oh, boy. well, the view is the same, but this has been completely transformed. it is amazing. and what is this big hole? the big hole in many ways was key to the viability of the scheme,

be able to form hotel bedrooms. i bet that was expensive. it wasn't cheap. this was one of the biggest bhs stores here on edinburgh's princes street. today it is still a work in progress. that is where the old escalator was, it is gone as well as all the asbestos. the shop floor has been completely stripped back and ready for new occupiers. there is going to be retail here, just a lot less of it. and this project has been relatively quick. bhs had 163 stores. a0 are still vacant, although half of these do have plans in place. the challenges are often financial. it cost a lot of money and takes a lot of time to turn large format space into new uses. we need to be heading towards mixed uses, the demand for retail space is far less than it was. in smaller towns, it is far harder to make the numbers add up.

in dumfries, debenhams was the biggest shock. gosh, it is a lot bigger on the inside. there has not been much interest in it so far, unfortunately. it is a big unit, this isjust one floor. scott runs a company which has bought this empty shop, bringing in new tenants through donations and public funding. how much would you like to get your hands on that building? if we have the funding can absolutely begin to take on a building like this. i think it would make a great small boutique cinema. a food court on the ground floor. upper floors, top floor, potentially residential. it is just how to pay for it. that is the challenge for many of these towns, the vast empty department stores will be tricky spaces to fill. the headlines on bbc news. president biden insists the kabul airlift will continue, despite two attacks killing more than 90 people

near the airport. meanwhile, the uk enters the final stage of its evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. and coming up... nearly a0 years since they last released new music, are abba about to make a return? in a moment, i'll speak with the founder of a abba tribute band. let's return to our top story, and the response to the bombings outside kabul airport which killed 90 people and left dozens injured. 12 us troops were among those killed. but most were afghan civilians. despite that — president biden says the us airlift will continue. he gave his response to the attack last night at the white house.

the lives when lost today were lives given in the service of liberty, the service of security and the service of others. in the service of america. like their fellow brothers and sisters in arms who have died defending our vision and our values and in the struggle against against terrorism, of the fallen this day, they are part of a great, noble company of american heroes. to those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes america harm, know this, we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. i will defend our interests and people with every measure in my command.

0ver over the past few weeks, i know many of you are tired of me hearing me say this, we have been made aware by our intelligence community that the isis k, and arch enemy taliban, people were freed from both those prisons, and they have planned a complex set of attacks on us personnel and others. this is why the from the outset, i repeatedly said this mission was extraordinarily dangerous and why i have been so determined to limit the duration of this mission. earlier this morning i heard from alberto cairo. he's the head of the physical rehabilitation programme of the international committee of the red cross in afghanistan and described the current situation in kabul as he sees it. kabul is quiet, if you move around,

you see it is a quiet place, but it is not the same. i remember it two weeks ago, it was completely different, crowded, people moving around, people more relaxed, now they are not. people are tense, very few women in the street, it is like when you are waiting for something to happen, something that is not good. the feeling is anxiety. people are nervous. it's a kind of quiet situation, calm situation but the reality is not. it's hiding something. and, what are you waiting for? it's difficult to say. now there is a new regime, that is clear. people are starting to understand it is going to last for some time. it is not like in europe when if you are not happy with a government you wait

for the next election. this is something that is going to stay. they are waiting for to understand in which direction this new regime is going to go. is it going to be as tough in the past, or softer? even ourselves, the international organisations, we are waiting to understand to see the direction, the way we are going to work, the way the population will be able to go on with their lives. people are waiting. they do not know what is going to happen. what happened yesterday evening scared a lot of people because many of them told me, well, maybe we are going to lose some freedom, but hopefully we will get more security. now they are not sure of that. we don't know what is going to happen. anxiety, really, really and everybody is affected by that. you could have left.

what prompted you to stay? i work for the international committee of the red cross. if we leave who stays? we work in places at war, afghanistan is at war. we hope to be able to do a lot. there will be a lot to do. in our rehabilitation centre in the past days we have seen many people asking for assistance, for help. for a job, people that in the past had never come. and they all say now their family is without support because those who were the supporters, they have left, or they have no jobs now because they were working for an international or national organisation that has been closed down. the situation is very... we have to stay.

there is plenty to do in favour of the population. we stay. i think it is often women who come to you saying they are terrified. is that correct? not only women. everybody is afraid. really, i have been in this country for 30 years, i am not an afghan, but after such a long time, i have some feeling, more than other expatriates for the afghans. i see the situation is too uncertain. people do not know what to do. women are afraid of losing their freedom they had before, the little freedom. the things that in the past managed to achieve, education, i confirm that women are more afraid than other people and i understand it. do you find yourself in the position

at this stage having to trust the taliban? definitely. i have to say that even in the past, when the previous government was still in place, the open dialogue was had with the taliban, there is a mutual trust. nobody knows exactly what are the plans or the politicians or the people in government, you do not know what direction they want to go, but definitely, we have to trust them. they are the government now. there is no choice. they have to deliver something. before they were only trying to take the place of the previous government. to replace them. but now they have to deliver something. we have to build a relation of trust. there is no choice.

that is something that should be done by the previous government as well. more dialogue. it is the only way. we cannot go on with the war for the next how many years. a2 years of war, is that not enough? you have to speak to people, find a way to trust them, otherwise, it is war for the next god knows how many years. we know evacuation flights are closing, i guess you are receiving news from friends or acquaintances who have made it onto the final flights of who did not manage to get out. yes, plenty, in the past weeks, even this morning, people asking desperately for help to leave. some people were at the airport yesterday, they are traumatised, they are at home now, the don't want to try any more.

every day we receive these messages. it is hurting. what is your message to the international community? don't forget afghanistan. when you speak to the afghans, they feel betrayed. they are afraid that what happened in the 1990s is going to happen again when afghanistan was completely forgotten. at the time the means of communication much less than now, people know what happens in afghanistan and the other way around. it is going to be a little more difficult to forget afghanistan, but i hope that afghanistan is going to be helped and the international community is going to keep an eye on the country, becaue

to feel abandoned as one of the most terrible feelings that one can have. i understand the afghans very well and less. thank you very much for giving us your time this morning at such a busy time. we really appreciate it. as international evacuation flights out of kabul become more difficult — there's been a surge in the number of afghans arriving at the us air force's ramstein base in germany. it's a temporary home to wait for their next flight — to a new life in the united states — but keeping pace with the scale of arrivals is a huge logistical challenge. jean mackenzie visited the base in the hours before the attacks in kabul. the smile says it all. these are the lucky ones. kabul�*s latest evacuees touched down near minutes ago. there is evidence of the chaos they left behind. families have been separated, more than a dozen children are here alone. some arrivals are treated for gunshot wounds, still fresh from their struggle to get out

of the country. but the us commander running this base urges people not to lose sight of their gains. this is about humanity and there are young women that can read today, there are people that are alive today because of the us. whatever policy decision and whether it's 20, 30 years, that's way out of my league. but i'm just focused on people are coming today and the people that we have helped over those 20 years. this is a mission like no other in the air base's history. in a week, it has been transformed into both a refugee camp and an international airport. the pressure is on, they are expecting 10,000 people to arrive here today alone. this is by far the biggest moment in this operation. they won't say when the last flight is expected, only that by tonight, they expect to be at capacity at this airbase. so it is clear that we are into the final push to get people out. there are nowjust a handful of days

before all us troops are scheduled to withdraw from afghanistan. we know the task on the ground is daunting. what we are working on right now is focused on getting as many people out of afghanistan as possible and bringing them to safe locations. what is the plan for the people who you can't get out? so, that's, that's a tough question and i... we are going to keep on advocating to get people out of afghanistan through our channels. but on this tarmac, there is relief. this is the final leg of their escape. a flight to the us and a new home. a world away from the one they fled. jean mckenzie, bbc news, ramstein air base, in germany. michel barnier — the man who led the eu's negotiations on brexit — has announced his plans to challenge emmanuel macron in next year's presidential elections in france. mr barnier is one of several potential candidates

emmanuel macron spent a day in ireland. it is one of the last countries on his to—do list where he said he would go to all eu member state during his term. but all eyes are now on next year's election. michel barnier has entered the race to become conservative candidate. his bid could open a new front in the election, which between now, was a race between macron and the far right politician marine le pen. he says he wants to change the country, adding the limited immigration would be a key policy pledge. the 70—year—old has previously held several top posts in french politics, including foreign minister, but he is most well for fielding this question. will the radio? 0ver... with the radio? and over. patience and determination were his muscles. but his determine

now is to distance himself from the brussels bubble and reconnect with the french voters, many of whom don't know who he is. the headlines on bbc news. president biden insists the kabul airlift will continue — despite two attacks killing more than 90 people near the airport. meanwhile, the uk enters the final stage of its evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. it's been 39 years since abba last released new music, but now their return has been teased in a cryptic message posted on social media. the swedish icons have launched a website, asking fans to register interest in a project — which is thought to be a tour and five new songs. can they ever match these absolute classics though?!

# yes, i've been brokenhearted. # blue since the day we started —— parted. # why, why, did i ever let you go?# # waterloo, i was defeating, you won the war # waterloo, promise to love you for ever more... # tonight the super trouper # lights are going to find me, # shining like the sun. # take a chance on me. # you can dance, you canjive # having the time of your life # see that girl, watch that scene # digging the dancing queen...

let's talk to... rod stephen, who has been running the abba tribute band bjorn again since the 80s. it's probably the most famous of all the abba tribute bands. you are still performing, aren't you? yes, still out there doing it and loving it. you? yes, still out there doing it and loving it— you? yes, still out there doing it and loving it. and are you benny or b'orn? and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm — and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm the _ and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm the bass _ and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm the bass player- and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm the bass player at - and loving it. and are you benny or bjorn? i'm the bass player at the l bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back. bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back- fair— bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back. fair enough. _ bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back. fair enough. what - bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back. fair enough. what do - bjorn? i'm the bass player at the back. fair enough. what do you | bjorn? i'm the bass player at the - back. fair enough. what do you think about this cryptic _ back. fair enough. what do you think about this cryptic new _ back. fair enough. what do you think about this cryptic new message - back. fair enough. what do you think about this cryptic new message from | about this cryptic new message from abba? i about this cryptic new message from abba? ~ �* , about this cryptic new message from abba? ~ �*, ., . abba? ithink it's fantastic. of course, their _ abba? i think it's fantastic. of course, their songs _ abba? ithink it's fantastic. of course, their songs are - abba? ithink it's fantastic. of course, their songs are just i course, their songs are just legendary. everyone knows them, they have heard them somewhere and somehow and so they have some new songs, yes, that one. waterloo, i know it very well. i songs, yes, that one. waterloo, i know it very well.— songs, yes, that one. waterloo, i| know it very well._ so know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs — know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs is _ know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs is just _ know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs is just great. _ know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs isjust great. we - know it very well. i bet you do. so new songs is just great. we are i new songs is just great. we are going to have a listen and hopefully include one or two in those into the show at the end of the year. do you

think is a risk— show at the end of the year. do you think is a risk for _ show at the end of the year. do you think is a risk for them _ show at the end of the year. do you think is a risk for them to _ show at the end of the year. do you think is a risk for them to come - show at the end of the year. do you think is a risk for them to come up | think is a risk for them to come up with new music 39 years after they last released a track? it is with new music 39 years after they last released a track?— last released a track? it is a very risky move _ last released a track? it is a very risky move i _ last released a track? it is a very risky move i would _ last released a track? it is a very risky move i would have - last released a track? it is a very| risky move i would have thought, because people are expecting so much, but i have some insight news that the songs are really good. one of the tracks that was recorded an old analog equipment which they used in the 70s and there are a couple of ballads in there and that's what i have been told anyway. look, i think anything that abba does is pretty much got the gold and magic dust on it and so i think it will work out fine. ~ , ., ~' it and so i think it will work out fine. ~ , ., ~ ., it and so i think it will work out fine. ~ i. ~ ., ., , fine. when you think of other bands that have not _ fine. when you think of other bands that have not done _ fine. when you think of other bands that have not done anything - fine. when you think of other bands that have not done anything for - that have not done anything for years and then they get back together, they are not always a success, are they? hat together, they are not always a success, are they?— together, they are not always a success, are they? not always. it's re success, are they? not always. it's pretty hard — success, are they? not always. it's pretty hard to _ success, are they? not always. it's pretty hard to recreate _ success, are they? not always. it's pretty hard to recreate that - success, are they? not always. it's| pretty hard to recreate that magical formula. i do understand also that the girls focus has changed a bit over the years, they have aged into old women, their voices have gone down a town or something, so it will

sound a bit different, but i think we will still have the abba magic. who do you think the fan base of abba is now?— who do you think the fan base of abba is now? well, we have all the oldies, abba is now? well, we have all the oldies. which _ abba is now? well, we have all the oldies, which i— abba is now? well, we have all the oldies, which i include _ abba is now? well, we have all the oldies, which i include myself - abba is now? well, we have all the oldies, which i include myself in i oldies, which i include myself in that list, and of course a lot of young, when mac one or again nor or does our gig, is largely due to the films are come out, there are young people. you know, priscilla queen of the desert, and mamma mia of course. these children have been exposed to abba music in these films and they know the songs. it’s abba music in these films and they know the songs.— abba music in these films and they know the songs. it's also because of their parents- _ know the songs. it's also because of their parents. i _ know the songs. it's also because of their parents. i have _ know the songs. it's also because of their parents. i have two _ know the songs. it's also because of their parents. i have two teenage i their parents. i have two teenage boys who i am proud to say love abba and that's because we play it at two kitchen discos when we have had a few drinks on friday night. and kitchen discos when we have had a few drinks on friday night.- few drinks on friday night. and so it roes few drinks on friday night. and so it goes on- _ few drinks on friday night. and so it goes on- i _ few drinks on friday night. and so it goes on. i remember _ few drinks on friday night. and so it goes on. i remember that i few drinks on friday night. and so it goes on. i remember that for. few drinks on friday night. and so i it goes on. i remember that for many years the parents are the ones

responsible for introducing their children to this great music. and i'm lad children to this great music. and i'm glad we _ children to this great music. and i'm glad we have _ children to this great music. and i'm glad we have as _ children to this great music. and i'm glad we have as well. thank you very much. we will look out for the new music and whether there is going to be a tour as well as that will be amazing. to be a tour as well as that will be amazinr. ., ~ to be a tour as well as that will be amazinr. ., ,, i. to be a tour as well as that will be amazinr. . ~ i. ., to be a tour as well as that will be amazinr. ., ~' ,, ., ., ,, to be a tour as well as that will be amazinr. ., ~ ,, ., ., ,, ., amazing. thank you for talking to us. all amazing. thank you for talking to us- all the _ amazing. thank you for talking to us. all the best. _ amazing. thank you for talking to us. all the best. thank _ amazing. thank you for talking to us. all the best. thank you. i amazing. thank you for talking to us. all the best. thank you. rod | amazing. thank you for talking to | us. all the best. thank you. rod is the director _ us. all the best. thank you. rod is the director of _ us. all the best. thank you. rod is the director of bjorn _ us. all the best. thank you. rod is the director of bjorn again. - the north coast 500 is scotland's answer to route 66, and in the years since it's been launched, the road across the coastal edges of the north highlands has attracted visitors from far and wide. however, some residents who live along the 516—mile road say its popularity has come at a price, as tim muffett reports. coastlines, cars and a question. can tourism be too successful?

if it takes a bit a life to up here in the north of scotland and people realise how beautiful it is, then that has to be good. it's really good to see young enjoying themselves. horrendous, the amount of traffic, camper vans now, i think it's - clogged up too much. the north coast 500. in terms of boosting visitors much overlooked, it's one of british tourism's great success stories. we were going to do it last year, but we never got round to doing it. £30 altogether. you're getting a 500 t—shirt. you're getting a 500 t-shirt. yes. yes. why you get the t—shirt? just to say where i have been. the north coast 500 was launched six years ago. it linked up existing roads around the coastal edges of the north highlands and rebranded them as a breathtaking, 516 milejourney, a kind of scottish equivalent of america's route 66. but success is leaving its mark. i think north coast 500 has brought extra tourism to places that perhaps weren'tjust ready and expecting the boom that it has brought.

photos have been posted on social media showing what is claimed to be mess and damage left by holiday—makers. there has been a rise in people wanting to experience the route in a more informal way. gayle is a writer and blogger who lives on the route. what have been the main downsides of the promotion of the north coast 500? the main downsides for local residents is that there has been a lot of promotion of the route but it hasn't been backed up by the infrastructure. things like litter bins and toilets and so on. there has been a bit of problem behaviour associated with that, inappropriate disposal of motorhome waste, campfire waste, human remains been left around. 0uter toileting. 0uter toileting is a polite way of putting it. yes. much of the route consists of narrow and winding roads and there have been several accidents.

this one was filmed two years ago on the time—lapse camera and thankfully no one was hurt. for people doing this route, what can they do to make it better? if you're in the middle of nowhere, you have to say and the same side of the road that you are on. a lot of people have come here and have been wild camping and most people who wild camp will be clean and it just takes one person to ruin it for everybody and leaves a load of rubbish. the castle of may, once owned by queen elizabeth, the queen mother. around these areas it's - absolutely gorgeous and people are finding it out. they had around 18,000 visitors a year and when we took off- we have a nearly 29,000. people are coming up and say that we can do it in two- days, but its 516 miles. if we all take our time to it and go at a normal pace, l then there is enough room for everybody. | the route is promoted by a private company, north coast 500 limited. the company has stressed...

we never saw it taking off the way it did... highland council is responsible for infrastructure, such as roads and toilets. we have done a lot and that this year. we have a lot of toilets in. it's probably never going to be enough but we are a remote community appear and it is very difficult to provide what would be expected in the city centres. when this nc 500 concept was born, where you consulted as an organisation? it was just done anyway. how frustrating was that? it's frustrating but what can you do about it now? we are where we are. as foreign travel gets easier, many predict pressure on the nc 500 route will ease. but many people think crowds, camper vans riske stunning -- risk —— risk spoiling...

this part of the world. tim muffet, bbc news. scientists in egypt say they've discovered the fossilised remains of an amphibious, four—legged whale. the bones were found in rock formations that are a3 million years old. it's thought they could help trace the transition of whales from land to sea. tim allman reports. giants of the ocean, we know they are different enough fish. up until now, we knew they didn't normally have legs. but then, in the western deserts of egypt, these bones were unearthed. we named it after the ancient egyptian god anubis. this is what

fire up my seat as anubis might have looked like, some a0 odd million new years ago. it is looked like, some 40 odd million new ears aro. , , ., looked like, some 40 odd million new earsaro. , , ., ., looked like, some 40 odd million new ears aao_ , , ., ., ., years ago. it is estimated to have been around _ years ago. it is estimated to have been around three _ years ago. it is estimated to have been around three metres - years ago. it is estimated to have been around three metres long i years ago. it is estimated to have i been around three metres long and would have weighed somewhere in the region of 600 kilos. it may be a sort of missing link as wales evolved moving from land to the oceans. , ., , oceans. the question here is, can we find skeletons _ oceans. the question here is, can we find skeletons of _ oceans. the question here is, can we find skeletons of other _ oceans. the question here is, can we find skeletons of other wales? i oceans. the question here is, can we j find skeletons of other wales? wales are considered similar creatures that were most evolved because they evolved from land to the sea. the hunt is now _ evolved from land to the sea. the hunt is now on _ evolved from land to the sea. the hunt is now on for more bones, more fossils, a chance to discover the secret of whales could walk. bbc news. the gun used to kill the wild west outlaw billy the kid

1a0 years ago is going to public auction for the first time, with an estimated selling price around two to three million dollars. the colt single action gun belonged to sheriff pat garrett. he killed billy the kid in new mexico in 1881. the auction house bonhams, which is selling it, called it a "relic of one of the most important and well known stories of the wild west." a group of eight ukrainian strongmen set a national record by pulling the world's largest and heaviest cargo plane. pulling the 285—tonne aircraft in two groups of four, the men managed to move it more than four metres along the tarmac in one minute and 13 seconds. they say they'll be applying for a guinness world record entry. london zoo has begun its annual animal weigh—in. zookeepers armed

with clipboards and calculators are tallying the height, weight and size of animals — and many of the reluctant creatures have to be coaxed onto the scales with snacks. with at least 20,000 animals calling the zoo home, you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. we started the day with a little bit of mist and fog around, which is now starting to lift and clear away. things will continue to brighten up for the rest of the day. there will be a bit of sunshine and offer many of us today and things are looking largely dry, not completely dry, just the odd spot of drizzle coming out of the thick cloud, but we have high pressure still much in charge of the north of the uk, keeping weather fronts at bay between here and certainly the course of the weekend and into bank holiday monday, if it is a bank holiday where you are. today, a bit of cloud coming from the north east of scotland and across and down towards the midlands and southern england.

either side of that area of cloud, a bit more sunshine and offer. a brighter day to come to east anglia and the south—east compared to yesterday but it was still a breeze coming off the north sea so making things feel cooler for the likes of aberdeen towards norwich. in the sunny spells further west, we are likely to see highs of 20 degrees. into this evening and overnight, breezy for east anglia and cloud drifting around but lots of clear spells as well and there will be mist and fog patches developing overnight and it's turning fairly chilly first thing tomorrow. temperatures in a few spots getting down to low single figures across parts of scotland and northern england as well. the weekend starts off on a bit of a fresh note a not of dry weather and long spells of weather and sunshine for most of us. this is how saturday is shaping up. just an isolated chance of a rogue shower across kent and essex as well and breezy in the south—east. lighter winds elsewhere and lots of sunshine on the map.

more cloud drifting in from the western isles, northern isles at times too, but for most of us, temperatures are 22. a touch warmer tomorrow compared to today and lighter winds today. heading into sunday, with changing its position literate —— a little bit... and so we will start to draw in a little bit more moisture and cloud across eastern scotland and eastern england and coming in on that breeze as well, but for the bulk of the uk, it's dry and fine and lots of sunshine on offer as well. temperatures getting up to around 21 degrees in the warmest spot but about 15 or 16 in the north east under the cloud. it does look like a fine settled weather will continue next week but with temperatures and low for the time of year. goodbye.

welcome to bbc news, i'm luxmy gopal. the headlines at 11 o'clock. the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. it comes as at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. president biden promises to hunt down the perpetrators. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay.

the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. in tokyo, kadeena cox retains her paralympic title and coming up: nearly a0 years since they last released new music, are abba about to make a return? good morning and welcome to bbc news. the uk's defence secretary has said

that british forces have entered the final stages of flying people out of kabul. ben wallace said it was a matter of deep regret that not everyone could be evacuated. of deep regret that not it comes after 90 people were killed in two bomb blasts. this includes 13 us military personnel. most of the dead were afghan civilians. an emotional us presidentjoe biden had a message to those behind the attacks saying, "we will hunt you down, and make you pay." the uk says the kabul bombings will not affect the the uk forces airlift timetable. so far, nearly 1a,000 british nationals and eligible afghans have been airlifted out. but there's an acceptance amongst uk officials that it isn't possible to remove everybody. the first of our reports this hour is from graham satchell. for hour after hour, well into the night, the wounded were rushed to hospital. the chaos of the last week

in kabul turned to carnage. some arrived by ambulance, some in cars, some in wheelbarrows. afghans who had hoped to escape to a better life. just before sunset, there were two large explosions at kabul airport, the plume of smoke seen across the city. the attacks happened at the south side of the airport, one at abbey gate crowded with civilians, the other at the baron hotel, used as a centre for processing evacuees. this was the airport earlier in the day. despite warnings of an imminent attack and advice to stay away, it was packed, throngs of people desperate to escape. this one eyewitness' account. me and my group waited for more than 25 hours. we did not enter the airport because of the security situation. wounded everywhere.

i cannot explain what we saw today. my word is silent. 13 us military personnel were killed in the attack, the deadliest day for america in afghanistan in a decade. president biden had this warning for is—k, the terror group responsible. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. the flag on the white house has been lowered as a mark of respect, but the loss of so many american lives heaps pressure on a president already being widely criticised for what's happening in kabul. president biden was defiant, saying evacuations would continue. america will not be intimidated. i have the utmost confidence in our brave servicemembers who continue to execute this mission

with courage and honour to save lives and get americans, our partners, our afghan allies, out of afghanistan. planes have started taking off again, but this morning the ministry of defence has announced the evacuation is in its final stages. no more afghans will be processed and it is likely today, we will see the last flights to safety. 0ur political correpsondent helen catt is at westminster. that is the latest from what the defence secretary ministers have been saying for days talking about hours and not weeks to get this air left carry out. it has been confirmed that these are the final stages of that operation processing having stopped outside of the airport. ben wallace, the defence secretary give more detail

earlier. we closed the processing centre and bot across the british and the people that were working with us. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. (05) that is where we move to the next stage which the evacuation of our 1000 trips. he stage which the evacuation of our 1000 tri s. ., , stage which the evacuation of our 1000 trips-— stage which the evacuation of our 1000 tri s. ., , ., 1000 trips. he has not said when the last british soldier— 1000 trips. he has not said when the last british soldier would _ 1000 trips. he has not said when the last british soldier would leave i last british soldier would leave afghanistan but said that will be before the us does and also said they would have to leave some equipment behind or destroy it and stressed this was a planned timetable and the suicide bombings yesterday have not made the british forces leave faster than they would have planned. the attacks were horrendous yesterday. our plan was to leave last night.

i knew it was going to happen at some stage. we have squeezed every hour, and no doubt we will see stories in a few days' time in the media, you know, why did we leave the land rover, why did we leave something? we did it so that we had more people on planes, and we did it so we had more hours, so we squeezed it all out as much as possible, and we have ended up with a situation that is a remarkable achievement. it hasn't brought every single person out, but it has brought back to this country 15,000 people, some british passport already, but obviously a significant number of afghans, who we now need to do the next step and say, they looked after us for 20 years, and now let's look after them. those are large numbers of people that have been evacuated in this air lift operation but as you had ben wallace say there are still some of those who are being left behind. and as this phase of the evacuation moved to an end i think the political focus is moved to an end i think the politicalfocus is going moved to an end i think the political focus is going to start looking at what happens to these

people. borisjohnson has talked about them wanting the taliban to ensure safe passage for people out of the country after the military operation stops. there is a question about how that will happen. boris johnson is talked about trying to use influence on the taliban to allow that. ben wallace talked about beefing up of the processing capacities and countries surrounding afghanistan so people can get over borders and process there and brought into a third country and into the uk if they qualify. though sort of things are being looked out. but there will be some serious questions about how feasible that will be for those people left behind, particularly given the situation on the ground. ben wallace admitted the taliban had started yesterday turning away afghan nationals trying to get to the airport. he said the taliban starting to exert control. i think there will be huge questions asked about how feasible it is for those left behind in this operation to get

out. with the evacuation efforts by air looking set to end, our correspondent yogita limaye explains how it's still continuing on foot. we know that there are people crossing over every day into pakistan from the border in southern afghanistan at spin boldak, and they are crossing over to chaman town in pakistan. the bbc has been speaking to some of these people, and they say that one woman said that her family has been separated. her son, who used to work for a british organisation, is left behind in, hoping to get out from there. she and the rest of her family have now crossed over to pakistan, they do not know when they will see her son again. people who have left everything behind crossing over in their thousands and we also know there is a crowd building up there. it is not exactly clear what criteria are being applied for those

who are being let in, but we hear that they do not really have documents or permits as such. they are entering pakistan and going into different areas where they might have had families. they are a lot of cross—border linkages, people who have family on the other side of pakistan. and we are hearing reports of people going to the border on the other side, the west of the country with iran, we are not clear whether they are being allowed in there, whether people are getting in, people without permits, but the window is closing in. we have heard canada, germany, australia saying they have finished their evacuation operation, the uk in final stages, there are lots of people still in afghanistan, people i have been speaking to over the past couple of weeks who feared for their lives under taliban rule who had the required permits to go to other countries but feel stop now, the window for them to get out is closing and they are looking at other opportunities and other ways

of trying to leave the country. a major review of vaccines suggests the astrazeneca jab does raise the risk of blood clots and another serious condition that can cause bleeding. but researchers, led by the university of oxford, found the risk of such problems was still much higher after a coronavirus infection. the team said the findings showed the "substantial" benefit of vaccination. dr andrew preston from bath university explained how much reassurance the review will give to those who have yet to take—up the vaccine. i certainly think it will help some people who have been vacillating about the vaccination. as in the study points out that if you are not

vaccinated it is probably inevitable you're going to covid catch at some point given the figures and you run the risk of having some of these rear blood disorders. those who are i do logically opposed to having a vaccine,, from the adverse events following vaccination compared with the very real risk of the adverse events following covid—19 itself and this report quantifies that risk using a very large dataset. it is clear that it has been less recognised that these rare blood clotting disorders are a very real risk of complication from covid—19 itself, notjust the vaccines. are likely to be published in the same week next year. the arrangement was put in place for this year to allow time for appeals on grades assessed by teachers. let's get more details on that from our education editor branwen jeffreys. this was put in place for people who were not happy with the grades and

sold for this first time we got a level on monday and gcse on a thursday. i level on monday and gcse on a thursda . , ., level on monday and gcse on a thursday-_ level on monday and gcse on a thursda . , . ., , , thursday. i understand that this is what the government _ thursday. i understand that this is what the government wants i thursday. i understand that this is what the government wants to i thursday. i understand that this is l what the government wants to keep thursday. i understand that this is i what the government wants to keep in place and not —— wants to see. i understand it would move to a system where students after their a—level grades would then go through the process of getting a university place rather than as of no applying where the applied months and months ahead and get their offers and then wait for the grades. it's part of a bigger picture shift to applying to university after qualification. this is england only. university applications are uk wide so any measures like this put in place would have to be agreed across the uk. will it make any meaningful difference to gcse pupils? it's slightly less of an issue for gcse pupils because it's not so critical for progression so for most gcse pupils they will have a range of

options to go on to at college or sixth form, whether doing btec or other qualifications at a level. there is usually a place for them so this is much more about university applications are getting that right. 0ne applications are getting that right. one of the big arguments in favour and why many people support this idea is if you look at predicted grades there is some research that suggests for example pooler or disadvantaged pupils get lower predicted grades and their actual results are better so this could potentially pave the way in the longer term towards a fairer application process for universities. this is one of the changes brought about as a direct result of the pandemic. are there any similar changes that might be kept on beyond the pandemic? for example having assessments focus less than exams? —— less on exams? across the uk ministers of indicated its is their intention to go back to

exams and next summer. there will be modifications and we expect more details on how exactly that will work in its subject in the early autumn. there have been consultations carried out appropriate so there is a recognition students have missed a huge amount with all the destruction of the last year so the exams will probably slimmed down next year. there has been discussion in england about how you get back to a situation where you have a more even spread of grades rather than them clustered at the top with the suggestion being that could be moved towards a number system in a—level which i understand is off the cards for next year. it's being considered in the longer term, possibly in place for 2023 but if not for 202a. the headlines on bbc news:

the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. it comes as at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. mark king has been campaigning for all schools and sports clubs to have defibrillators, since his 12—year—old son 0liver died from a sudden cardiac arrest, after a swimming lesson. following an appearance on the bbc, alongside former liverpool footballerjamie carragher, the pair were invited to meet the education secretary gavin williamson, to discuss the campaign. they had that meeting yesterday, and ijoined them on theirjourney. preparing for the next step in a journey which started a decade ago, with the death of his son, 0liver. my lucky lock of our 0llie's hair.

that will go in my pocket, so it will bring us a bit of luck. not a bit, a lot of luck, that will be here. 0liver was 12 when he died, having suffered a cardiac arrest during a swimming lesson at school. his father, mark, is on a mission to make defibrillators mandatory for all schools and sports clubs. tickets, money, yeah. see you later on. he's taking his schools mission right to the top, to the education secretary. also on board is former liverpool and england defender, jamie carragher, who has worked with mark's campaign for years. mark says his son would still be alive if there had been a defibrillator at the pool where he died. through a charity he set up, mark has distributed the devices to more than 5,500 schools and gyms. he hopes today's meeting will help push towards the legislation he's after. how are you feeling about today?

very optimistic, confident that we'll get a good result today off gavin. and what do you hope the outcome will be? hopefully legislation for schools and then full legislation to follow. that wherever you see a fire extinguisher in a public building, you've got fire extinguishers here. obviously there are defibs here already. wherever you see a fire extinguisher in a public building, a defib not farfrom it. we can't have a meeting about a meeting about a meeting that happened three months ago. it's an answer today, please. the fact these aren't in every school up and down the country, every sports centre, every building basically is a travesty really and hopefully we can change that. i think this has become even more prominent now on the back of what happened in the summer with christian eriksen. we all watched that. as i said, it really hit home — how important defibrillators are. hopefully, we can get what everybody wants. christian eriksen collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during the euros. he was treated with a defibrillator on the pitch and went on to recover. current legislation in england means defibrillators are put in place in new schools and those being refurbished. mark and jamie want

the education secretary, gavin williamson, to get it extended further. a seemingly positive meeting with a tweet of support. i think he is committed to what we're trying to do. he's got children himself. he understands from a father's point of view that we've got to look after our kids. the education secretary told mark and jamie he's committed for pushing full retrospective legislation to get defibrillators in all schools and to try to secure funding for schools to get the devices at cost price, £600 each. he has also said he's going to give us some financial support. that was a shock to me because we've never asked the government to pay. but if they're feeling generous... carry on. who am i to say no? let's get the money in, the equipment out and let's start saving lives. yes, i think speaking to gavin williamson today, it looks like he's on board.

that's the impression in the meeting and we're very thankful of that. hopefully he'll back that up and i think he will. lending them support is a politician who, as a child, learned to swim in the very pool where mark's son died. i'm hoping this legislation is not needed because who would be against putting defibrillators in school? pushing the secretary of state as we did today and others is the way forward in my view. if we wait for legislation, it might be too long. the second reading of mark's bill to make devices mandatory in schools is due before parliament in a couple of weeks. he hopes, with this new backing today, it may stand more of a chance of progressing to the next stage. for the short time we had him, in the 12 years we had him, he never let us down. this is my turn now not to let him down. we'll push and push and push. we've started this, i will not be giving up. their decade—long campaign continues. they now feel a big step closer to pushing for law change and

potentially saving more lives. to pushing for law change and a 37—year—old man has been charged with contaminating products at three supermarkets in west london. leoaai elghareeb is due to appear in court today. officers in forensic suits were seen in three shops in the fulham area of london following the incidents on wednesday evening. the prime minister of new zealand, jacinda ardern, says the country's national coronavirus lockdown will be extended till the end of the month. new zealand has escaped much of the pandemic, but is now reporting record numbers of cases of the delta strain. the manchester city footballer benjamin mendy is to appear in court charged with four counts of rape, and one of sexual assault. police say the charges relate to three complainants aged over 16 and are alleged to have happened between october last year and this month. the 27—year—old has been suspended by the premier league club, which hejoined back in 2017. it's five years this weekend since the last bhs store closed its doors for good, and since then other department store chains have also disappeared from the high street. bbc analysis shows that more

than 200 premises that were once occupied by those big stores are still empty. but some have been reborn. emma simpson reports. look at all these lockers! this is a representation of the human— this is a representation of the human scale of what has happened to be hs~ _ human scale of what has happened to be hs. there were 500 locus year. —— bhs _ five years on, brand—new hotel bedrooms. the old bhs staff canteen, now a bustling restaurant. this hotel chain jumped at the chance to move on. buildings like this do not come along very often. seeing so many people get use of the space is just fantastic, we have had the opportunity to create newjobs for people, and to keep this building alive. oh, boy. well, the view is the same, but this has been completely transformed. it is amazing. and what is this big hole?

the big hole in many ways was the key to the viability of the scheme, be able to form hotel bedrooms. i bet that was expensive. it wasn't cheap. this was one of the biggest bhs stores here on edinburgh's princes street. today it is still a work in progress. that is where the old escalator was, it has gone as well as all the asbestos. the shop floor has been completely stripped back and ready for new occupiers. there is going to be retail here, just a lot less of it. and this project has been relatively quick. bhs had 163 stores. a0 are still vacant, although half of these do have plans in place. the challenges are often financial. it cost a lot of money and takes a lot of time to turn large format space into new uses. we need to be heading towards mixed uses, the demand for retail space is far less than it was. in smaller towns, it is far harder to make the numbers add up.

in dumfries, debenhams was the biggest shock. gosh, it is a lot bigger on the inside. there has not been much interest in it so far, unfortunately. it is a big unit, this isjust one floor. scott runs a company which has bought this empty shop, bringing in new tenants through donations and publicfunding. how much would you like to get your hands on that building? if we have the funding absolutely we could begin to take on a building like this. i think it would make a great small boutique cinema. a food court on the ground floor. upper floors, top floor, potentially residential. maybe a food court. it isjust how to pay for it. that is the challenge for many of these towns, the vast empty department stores will be tricky spaces to fill. let's return to our top story —

shukria barakzai is a politician, journalist and a prominent muslim feminist from kabul and was the ambassador of afghanistan to norway up until 2019. she told my colleague victoria derbyshire a short time ago that yesterday's attack highlighted afghanistan's vulnerabilities. u nfortu nately unfortunately with the sorrow and terror we should say the attack yesterday shows you how often afghanistan can be and how the international terrorism attack and kill innocent afghans and an example of how the superpowers of the world can be vulnerable from such small groups they didn't calculate it politically rightly. i think yesterday's attack was a clear sign of how afghanistan can be a safe haven for all international terrorist networks. of course the situation of afghanistan and the future of afghanistan especially afghan women is a bit?. today's and yesterday's circumstances clearly

show it is chaos and a disaster and it is better to stop and take measure about the reality on the ground, what is going on, and i think countries and nations and politicians, especially those who bring the taliban and power should be accountable for their shameful ideas and actions and the opportunity to give an identity and legitimacy to all international terrorist networks. i don't want afghanistan to be a safe land for international terrorists so it will be hard to beat them. every country try to protect their own nation through afghanistan but if that dollar is going to be open it will be hard enough for any nation in any country to feel safe and secure from terrorist networks and terrorist attacks. i terrorist networks and terrorist attacks. ., ., ., , ., terrorist networks and terrorist attacks. ., ., ., ., attacks. i want to ask you about the taliban asking _ attacks. i want to ask you about the taliban asking women _ attacks. i want to ask you about the taliban asking women to _ attacks. i want to ask you about the taliban asking women to stay i attacks. i want to ask you about the taliban asking women to stay at i attacks. i want to ask you about the i taliban asking women to stay at home because their safety cannot be assured. what do you read into that?

i think it is an excuse. the taliban in their previous time also for five years asking women to stay home. i think the taliban don't believe women to be part of the government system. are to receive them are welcome very well and society. they were showing worse behaviour even with foreign journalists, female journalists as to cover their face and then ask questions. they are not letting the universities are high schools be open because of all the younger generation and girls and boys. this year we got the highest number in kabul which was the entry exam to a higher examination and that was a girl and she was not appreciated by the taliban yet. this is a clear sign, older women's right activists and journalists and civil

rights society organisations, we live in a cage for the time being and it is hard for us to think beyond that cage. right now the safety and security is important but later i think target killing is one of the issues and putting down and letting down women from the entire political agenda is another issue. they didn't meet with any women's group position and for them this is something quite obvious and normal. i don't think the taliban assuring any kind of commitment, neitherfor their security narked for having them in the society as a responsible citizen. accepting the fundamental rights as women. coming up in a moment

here on bbc news — a new limit for contactless payments as banks announce the cap will be raised to £100 — we'll tell you when it's expected to come into effect. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. good morning. the generally fine, settled theme to the weather will continue through today and through the course of the weekend. so things not changing in a hurry. some spells of sunshine out there today. things looking largely dry. we did have some mist and some fog around this morning which is clearing away, so a lot of fine, bright weather. just the odd spot of drizzle perhaps coming out of that cloud in parts of north—east england down towards the midlands, but most places fine. more sunshine than yesterday for east anglia and the south—east, but still a breeze coming in off the north sea, so feeling a bit cooler for the likes degrees, the warmest spots in the west, up to about 20 degrees. into this evening and overnight, it is dry with some patchy cloud, but also agains, some mist and some fog patches developing and quite chilly. temperatures down into single figures across northern areas in particular. fog patches developing and quite chilly. temperatures down into single figures across northern areas in particular. a bit of a fresh start to saturday,

but saturday brings another fine, dry day. just the outside chance of a rogue shower in the south east first thing. we've got lighter winds than we've seen recently, so a touch warmer tomorrow with highs around 18 to 22 degrees. bye. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines...

the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. it comes as at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. president biden promises to hunt down the perpetrators. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. and coming up nearly a0 years since they last released new music — are abba about to make a return? sport now, and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. it's been another medal—filled day

for paralympics gb out in tokyo. among the highlights, cyclist kadeena cox rode an incredible race in the 500 metre time trial, winning gold in a stunning world—record time. and there have been two golds in swimming, with gb's hannah russell retaining her 100m backstroke title and reece dunn taking 200 metre freestyle gold. stuart pollitt rounds up today's action. even in the remarkable world of paralympic sport, kadeena cox achievements are extraordinary. she won gold into sports, cycling and athletics. she is the first gb athlete to do so in more than 30 years. in tokyo, she is attempting it again. the first leg of the double double, and two laps of the track in the 500 metres time trial. cox powered into gold by more than a cycle —— a new world record. cheered

from leeds by her sisters. i cycle -- a new world record. cheered from leeds by her sisters.— from leeds by her sisters. i said to her she was _ from leeds by her sisters. i said to her she was bringing _ from leeds by her sisters. i said to her she was bringing home - from leeds by her sisters. i said to her she was bringing home a i from leeds by her sisters. i said to her she was bringing home a gold. | her she was bringing home a gold. she smashed it. she has overcome these extra obstacles as well, but these extra obstacles as well, but the passion and the driver is what keeps her focus to keep the passion and the driver is what keeps herfocus to keep going. she keeps her focus to keep going. she has proven that all things are possible _ has proven that all things are ossible. . �* , has proven that all things are ossible. ,, �* , ., has proven that all things are ossible. ,, �*, ., ., possible. she's done it today. it was a double — possible. she's done it today. it was a double of— possible. she's done it today. it was a double of a _ possible. she's done it today. it was a double of a different i possible. she's done it today. it| was a double of a different kind. the paratrooper turned paralympian. he added a bronze medal in the time trial to the gold he won yesterday. in the pool, hannah russell knows what it takes to win. she was defending her title in the 100 metre backstroke. and defend it she did, just. she will be back for more medals later in the games. reece dunn won silver two days ago, upgraded to gold here and a world record as an added bonus. scottish

sprinter gutter brands on the first day of the athletics action. next week kadeena cox will raise there in the 400 metres. a work record—breaking effort already on track. so another good day for paralympics gb and to bring us up to date with other medal successes on day three we can cross to tokyo now and join our reporter rachael latham, rachel. rachel, there is so much to get excited about, isn't there? fin rachel, there is so much to get excited about, isn't there? on top ofthe excited about, isn't there? on top of the medals _ excited about, isn't there? on top of the medals that _ excited about, isn't there? on top of the medals that we _ excited about, isn't there? on top of the medals that we have - excited about, isn't there? on top of the medals that we have just i of the medals that we have just seen, we also picked up two medals in the swimming pool in the 200 metres freestyle s14 classification. both of those athletes were training in their back garden during lockdown, so quite the achievement for them. also at the pool, stephen clegg. he got a bronze medal in the visually impaired 100 metre backstroke. it is not his main event

until day ten when he will do the 100 metre butterfly hoping for gold there. going over to powerlifting, ali gerrard unfortunately lip missed out on a medal, but his team—mate got a bronze in the women's pulse. in fencing, we had a bronze medal as well. it has been a fantastic day all round for paralympicsgb. thank ou ve all round for paralympicsgb. thank you very much _ all round for paralympicsgb. thank you very much indeed. _ england have been bowled out for 432 early on day three of the third test against india at headingley. that's a huge lead of 354. there was a brief spot of rain , but india have just started their second innings. and they've got a mountain to climb. remember they were skittled forjust 78 first time round. live commentary right now with test match special on radio 5 live sports extra.

before we go just a reminder that the draw for the europa league is ongoing. leicester city, west ham, rangers and celtic are all involved. you can found out who they draw on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport fewer than one in four homeless people have moved into permanent accommodation in england, after being housed by a government—backed scheme, according to figures seen by the bbc. over 37,000 rough sleepers were provided a place to stay during the pandemic. but around 29,000 were still in emergency accommodation or returned to the streets. the government says the figures are misleading. the housing chairty shelter obtained those figures and their chief executive, polly neate, joins me now from west london. thank you forjoining us. first of all, is this a missed opportunity? does it represent a missed opportunity to tackle the issue of homelessness? it

opportunity to tackle the issue of homelessness?— opportunity to tackle the issue of homelessness? it really does. the government _ homelessness? it really does. the government made _ homelessness? it really does. the government made a _ homelessness? it really does. the government made a fantastic- homelessness? it really does. the i government made a fantastic effort. it's brilliant that they provided the funding to make sure that, as much as possible, nobody was sleeping rough during lockdown is and at the height of the pandemic, but the government has a policy commitment to ending homelessness, and if that is a serious commitment, this is an opportunity to make an enormous step towards that. but actually, what we have found out, and just to be clear these figures are not misleading, they are from freedom of information requests to local authorities, and their that is from the government own definition. three quarters of those helped through the everyone in programme are still not helped into accommodation and that is an opportunity —— a missed opportunity. it is tragic to see people returning to a really dangerous and insecure

situation. ., , _ situation. the government is saying the fi . ures situation. the government is saying the figures are _ situation. the government is saying the figures are misleading - situation. the government is saying the figures are misleading because| the figures are misleading because they don't take into account those who have moved in with friends or family supported accommodation. the? family supported accommodation. they do. the family supported accommodation. they d0- the point— family supported accommodation. they d0- the point is— family supported accommodation. tue do. the point is that family supported accommodation. tte do. the point is that that family supported accommodation. tte1: do. the point is that that is not settled a combination, and that is not ending homelessness. so those are the situation is that people are in when they become homeless. what the opportunity is here is to really end homelessness by making sure that we keep track of the people that are helped through everyone in and support them in settled accommodation. that clearly is what is not is happening and that is the point that we are trying to make. so yes people have written turned to sofa surfing, for example. what we know is that that is not a stable situation, and often it is a step, actually, towards an even worse homelessness situation, where people are in an emergency b&bs, hostels or

even returning to streets. the government — even returning to streets. the government is _ even returning to streets. the government is saying it is putting even more money into tackling the problem and was going to support 6000 long—term moves and problem and was going to support 60001ong—term moves and homes. problem and was going to support 6000 long—term moves and homes. what more needs to be done to tackle this issue in a long—term way or do you think that is a good start? it think that is a good start? tit certainly is a start and welcoming. i wouldn't want to criticise the government, obviously providing move on home. the problem is that itjust isn't enough and what we're seeing isn't enough and what we're seeing is a system that was in a grave crisis even before the pandemic. we already had a quarter of a million people, at least, who were already in these highly situations, homeless and in emergency and temporary accommodation. now we have the people from everyone in also moving into that space, which again is not satisfactory and is not settled

accommodation. the system simply cannot cope. i mean, it is absolutely overwhelmed. we are now in a grave emergency. the only long—term solution to this is the government has to provide genuinely affordable homes for people on low incomes to rent. that simply does not exist. we are not building what is known as social housing at all. in fact, we are experiencing a net loss of social housing because of sales and demolitions and so on, and such tiny number being built. that is the root cause of this crisis. the system simply cannot cope. 0f the system simply cannot cope. of course the intervention are good, but it simply is not enough because this is an emergency and the government really need to get a grip of it. ., ~ government really need to get a grip of it. . ~ i. ., i. of it. thank you for your time, shelter's _ of it. thank you for your time, shelter's chief _ of it. thank you for your time, shelter's chief executive - of it. thank you for your time, | shelter's chief executive there.

the spending limit on a single use of a contactless bank card is to rise to 100 pounds in october. nearly two—thirds of all debit card transactions are made via the technology, but academics have warned that raising the limit could increase crime. let's get more on that from our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey. tell us what the motivation is back behind boosting the limit?- behind boosting the limit? anyone who has been _ behind boosting the limit? anyone who has been into _ behind boosting the limit? anyone who has been into a _ behind boosting the limit? anyone who has been into a shop - behind boosting the limit? anyone who has been into a shop during . behind boosting the limit? anyone i who has been into a shop during the pandemic would have been encouraged to use contactless cards to limit the contact between customers and staff. that is really encouraged people to use contactless and increase the numbers. as you say, two thirds of all debit card transactions and are now made by contactless. that has been extended. we knew that their limit was going to go up from the current £45 to £100 at some point, and what we have

learned today is that that is going to start from the 15th of october. it may take a little bit of time for some retailers to update their technology, so that is possible, but it will become more of a way of life if you like. when contactless technology started in 2007, the limit was just £10. it was the point of milk or buying the morning paper, that kind of thing. the kind of thing you would use loose change for. that is what it was designed for, but gradually over time that limit has increased and now going up to £100 going much more to payments like filling up your car full of pectoral and doing the weekly grocery shop. all of that will be paid for with a card without having to put in your pin number. what paid for with a card without having to put in your pin number. what are some of the — to put in your pin number. what are some of the concerns _ to put in your pin number. what are some of the concerns around - to put in your pin number. what are some of the concerns around crime l some of the concerns around crime and how it might lead to more crime? what are some of the issues around that? . ., . , , what are some of the issues around

that? . ., . i, that? the chancellery she soon exlained that? the chancellery she soon explained that _ that? the chancellery she soon explained that this _ that? the chancellery she soon explained that this is _ that? the chancellery she soon explained that this is a - that? the chancellery she soon explained that this is a much . that? the chancellery she soon - explained that this is a much more convenient and secure way for shoppers returning to their high street for shoppers to pay for their purchases, but there are concerns raised particularly by academics raised particularly by academics raised to this issue of the limit rising that there are criminals who are going to look at this as a green light. they are worried it is going to encourage bag snatching, break—ins and that hand of thing. cards, credit and debit cards are already known as hot property among criminals, and this will only encourage them, the academic side, to steal and get out there and spend money, a higher amount of money, as quickly as they can. what the banking industry will say is that there are controls put in. if someone goes around spending very quickly on a contactless card, it will very quickly flash up on the screen that you need to put in your

pin. there is a bit of a debate going on about the security element of this, but i think the convenience is what shoppers will notice festival. ~ , , ., , is what shoppers will notice festival. ~ , , . ~' festival. absolutely. kevin, thank ou. i festival. absolutely. kevin, thank from i have _ festival. absolutely. kevin, thank you. i have some _ festival. absolutely. kevin, thank you. i have some breaking - festival. absolutely. kevin, thank you. i have some breaking news. festival. absolutely. kevin, thank. you. i have some breaking news to bring you on the latest of the evacuations in afghanistan. reuters has just published the latest figures from the white house which says around 12 under par thousand people were airlifted from afghanistan on thursday, raising the total from the 14th of august two around 105,000 people. we will bring you more on that later. it's time to have our monthly catch—up with what happening in coventry�*s city of culture — the year long festival of events . and as we slowly come out of lockdown, there's been an unlocking of talent across the city. this bank holiday weekend, a new arts centre — the daimler powerhouse — which has undergone a £2.5 million revamp —

will officially open its doors over the bank holiday weekend with a special free event. let's go to coventry now, where our corrrespondent trish adudu has been keeping across what the city has to offer. yes, what a fantastic view, isn't it? absolutely glorious. that's six metre by six metre moon was woven by 40 local residents, and it is part of this huge opening at the daimler powerhouse. it is unbelievable to think that over 100 years ago, this was a bustling factory with 5000 employees, and now it is a huge creative space opening its doors for the first time to the public. there is low is happening, acrobatics going on. i can do that. well, —ish. it is going to be an exciting weekend, isn't it? we it is going to be an exciting weekend, isn't it? ~ ., , ,

weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open — weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open the _ weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open the doors _ weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open the doors for _ weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open the doors for the - weekend, isn't it? we open the first -- we open the doors for the first i —— we open the doors for the first time to the general public. we have exhibitions, live music, circus, dance, a big ship outside, and then wikipedia, a carousel. it is saturday, sunday and monday 12 until 4pm. saturday, sunday and monday 12 until 4m, ., , . ., ., ~ 4pm. please come down. prince charles open — 4pm. please come down. prince charles open the _ 4pm. please come down. prince charles open the venue - 4pm. please come down. prince charles open the venue four- 4pm. please come down. prince i charles open the venue four weeks ago and of course this is the first public opening of the coventry city of culture event. how important is it to be part of the city of culture?— it to be part of the city of culture? �*, ., , , culture? it's so important because it is something — culture? it's so important because it is something for _ culture? it's so important because it is something for everyone - culture? it's so important because it is something for everyone to - culture? it's so important because | it is something for everyone to join and it's about the going forward for us. culture is part of all of us, our languages, the food we eat, the things we do. being the city of culture is an amazing thing for all of us to be part of. i culture is an amazing thing for all of us to be part of.— of us to be part of. i can tell you this now. _ of us to be part of. i can tell you this now. the — of us to be part of. i can tell you this now, the acrobatics - of us to be part of. i can tell you this now, the acrobatics are - of us to be part of. i can tell you this now, the acrobatics are just| this now, the acrobatics are just incredible. it is like stepping into the greatest showman. all right, i

wish i could do that. also, there is acrobatics and dancing going on. louis, you are part of this big weekend, what you doing? i louis, you are part of this big weekend, what you doing? i have got the pleasure — weekend, what you doing? i have got the pleasure of— weekend, what you doing? i have got the pleasure of working _ weekend, what you doing? i have got the pleasure of working with - weekend, what you doing? i have got the pleasure of working with my - the pleasure of working with my dances and working with some of the area lists. it's amazing to be here, it's a great space and were happy to be here. �* .., , it's a great space and were happy to be here. �* , ., it's a great space and were happy to be here.�* , ., ., " it's a great space and were happy to behere.�* , ., ., " be here. because of covid-19, you have not had _ be here. because of covid-19, you have not had many _ be here. because of covid-19, you have not had many chances - be here. because of covid-19, you have not had many chances to - have not had many chances to perform. have not had many chances to erform. ., ' . .,, , perform. how difficult has it been? it's been difficult _ perform. how difficult has it been? it's been difficult not _ perform. how difficult has it been? it's been difficult not being - perform. how difficult has it been? it's been difficult not being a - perform. how difficult has it been? it's been difficult not being a new l it's been difficult not being a new natural element, as it has been for everybody, and it's so great to be back here today. the people to be here and be inspired by a performance.— here and be inspired by a performance. here and be inspired by a erformance. ~ ., ., , ., ~ here and be inspired by a erformance. ~ ., ., ~ ., performance. what do you think of this space? _ performance. what do you think of this space? it's _ performance. what do you think of this space? it's amazing. - performance. what do you think of this space? it's amazing. i've - performance. what do you think of this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day _ this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day in. _ this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day in, day— this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day in, day out— this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day in, day out for- this space? it's amazing. i've been on here day in, day out for the - this space? it's amazing. i've been| on here day in, day out for the past few weeks over its home by now. it's so expiring, many people working here and there, and a big collaboration going on from every corner of the room so it's amazing to be here. corner of the room so it's amazing to be here-— to be here. what about the city of culture, a quarter _ to be here. what about the city of culture, a quarter way _ to be here. what about the city of culture, a quarter way through i to be here. what about the city of l culture, a quarter way through now. do you think young people are being

immersed in it?— do you think young people are being immersed in it? absolutely. people i have taught — immersed in it? absolutely. people i have taught since _ immersed in it? absolutely. people i have taught since they _ immersed in it? absolutely. people i have taught since they were - immersed in it? absolutely. people i have taught since they were small, l have taught since they were small, it's amazing to see them involved. projects like this are coming up and “p projects like this are coming up and up and up giving them windows of opportunity to come forward. 15 opportunity to come forward. is there space for a middle—aged woman in your dance troupe? join there space for a middle-aged woman in your dance troupe?— in your dance troupe? join in now and let's see? _ in your dance troupe? join in now and let's see? i _ in your dance troupe? join in now and let's see? i think— in your dance troupe? join in now and let's see? i think my - in your dance troupe? join in now| and let's see? i think my moment in your dance troupe? join in now - and let's see? i think my moment has one. if and let's see? i think my moment has gone- if you — and let's see? i think my moment has gone- if you do _ and let's see? i think my moment has gone. if you do want _ and let's see? i think my moment has gone. if you do want to _ and let's see? i think my moment has gone. if you do want to take - and let's see? i think my moment has gone. if you do want to take part - gone. if you do want to take part in come to any of the events over this weekend go to their city of culture website and book tickets. it is all free. i'm going to have a go at doing this. do you think i should? i want to see you doing that right now, trish. i'lljust practice. back to you in the studio. come on. it's been 39 years since abba last released new music, but now their return has been teased in a cryptic message posted on social media. the swedish icons have launched

a website, asking fans to register interest in a project, which is thought to be a tour and five new songs. can they ever match these absolute classics though?! # yes, i've been brokenhearted. # blue since the day we parted # why, why, did i ever let you go?# # waterloo, i was defeating, you won the war # waterloo, promise to love you for ever more... # tonight the super trouper # lights are going to find me, # shining like the sun. # take a chance on me. # you can dance, you canjive # having the time of your life # see that girl, watch that scene

# digging the dancing queen... the old ones are the best. earlier we spoke to superfan gary collins, who is also one of the editors of the international abba fan club magazine. it isa it is a gamble, but i have, as a fan, complete faith in them. i'm not worried at all about the music. none of us have heard it yet and we don't know exactly how much we are getting. i think that will become clear next week. they are such hard workers in the studio, i think, all the way through their career, and they would not give us new music unless they were 100% sure that it was great. i'm not worried. over the years, with the films and theatre show, they have seen how much people love their music, i think. after all

those years of not doing anything creatively, i think they suddenly got a passion to do something creative again. i think even though they were two married couples that were divorced, they have remained friends and i think that's been clear. and also rod stephen, who has been running the abba tribute band bjorn again since the 805. i think it's fantastic. of course their songs are just legendary. everyone knows them, they have heard them somewhere and somehow. waterloo, i know it very well. we are going to have a listen and hopefully include one or two of those into the show at the end. people are expecting so much but i have some inside news that the songs are really good. one of the tracks that are recorded on the old analogue equipment that they used in the 705, and there are a couple of ballads in there as well. that's

what i've been told anyway. i think anything that abbott does has pretty much got the golden magic du5t anything that abbott does has pretty much got the golden magic dust on it, so i think it will work out fine. the north coast 500 is scotland's answer to route 66, and in the years since it's been launched, the road across the coastal edges of the north highlands has attracted visitors from far and wide. however, some residents who live along the 516—mile road say its popularity has come at a price, as tim muffett reports. coastlines, cars and a question. can tourism be too successful? if it takes a bit a life to up here in the north of scotland and people realise how beautiful it is, then that has to be good. it's really good to see young enjoying themselves. horrendous, the amount of traffic, camper vans now, i think it's - clogged up too much. the north coast 500. in terms of boosting

visitors much overlooked, it's one of british tourism's great success stories. we were going to do it last year, but we never got round to doing it. £30 altogether. you're getting a 500 t—shirt. yes. why you get the t—shirt? just to say where i have been. the north coast 500 was launched six years ago. it linked up existing roads around the coastal edges of the north highlands and rebranded them as a breathtaking, 516—milejourney, a kind of scottish equivalent of america's route 66. but success is leaving its mark. i think north coast 500 has brought extra tourism to places that perhaps weren'tjust ready and expecting the boom that it has brought. photos have been posted on social media showing what is claimed to be mess and damage left by holiday—makers. there has been a rise in people

wanting to experience the route in a more informal way. gayle is a writer and blogger who lives on the route. what have been the main downsides of the promotion of the north coast 500? the main downsides for local residents is that there has been a lot of promotion of the route but it hasn't been backed up by the infrastructure. things like litter bins and toilets and so on. there has been a bit of problem behaviour associated with that, inappropriate disposal of motorhome waste, campfire waste, inappropriate disposal of motorhome waste, campfire remains, human waste being left around. outer toileting. outer toileting is a polite way of putting it. yes. much of the route consists of narrow and winding roads and there have been several accidents. this one was filmed two years ago on the time—lapse camera and thankfully no one was hurt.

for people doing this route, what can they do to make it better? if you're in the middle of nowhere, you have to say and the same side of the road that you are on. a lot of people have come here and have been wild camping and most people who wild camp will be clean and it just takes one person to ruin it for everybody who leaves a load of rubbish. the castle of may, once owned by queen elizabeth, the queen mother. around these areas it's - absolutely gorgeous and people are finding it out. they had around 18,000 visitors a year and when we took off- we have nearly 29,000. people are coming up and say that we can do it in two- days, but its 516 miles. if we all take our time to it and go at a normal pace, l then there is enough room for everybody. | the route is promoted by a private company, north coast 500 limited. the company has stressed... we never saw it taking off the way it did...

highland council is responsible for infrastructure, such as roads and toilets. we have done a lot and that this year. we have brought more toilets in. it's probably never going to be enough but we are a remote community appear and it is very difficult to provide what would be expected in the city centres. when this nc 500 concept was born, where you consulted as an organisation? it was just done anyway. how frustrating was that? it's frustrating but what can you do about it now? we are where we are. as foreign travel gets easier, many predict pressure on the nc 500 route will ease. but many people think crowds, camper vans risk spoiling this stunning part of the world. tim muffet, bbc news.

just getting reports here of a large fire in leamington. emergency services are currently there. it is a fire at industrial services on juneau drive. service say road closures in the area are in place and the fire service is advising people nearby to keep windows and doors closed. there is a picture is we have just been getting on doors closed. there is a picture is we havejust been getting on in doors closed. there is a picture is we have just been getting on in the past few minutes. some drone footage there of a large fire in leamington, we understand that in industrial premises and we will bring you more on that as we get it. now it's time for a look at the weather. with darah keith lucas. we started the day with a little bit of mist and fog around, which is now starting to lift and clear away. things will continue to brighten up for the rest of the day. there will be a bit of sunshine and offer many of us today and things are looking largely dry, not completely dry, just the odd

spot of drizzle coming out of the thick cloud, but we have high pressure still much in charge of the north of the uk, keeping weather fronts at bay between here and certainly the course of the weekend and into bank holiday monday, if it is a bank holiday where you are. today, a bit of cloud coming from the north east of scotland and across and down towards the midlands and southern england. either side of that area of cloud, a bit more sunshine and offer. a brighter day to come to east anglia and the south—east compared to yesterday but it was still a breeze coming off the north sea so making things feel cooler for the likes of aberdeen towards norwich. in the sunny spells further west, we are likely to see highs of 20 degrees. into this evening and overnight, breezy for east anglia and cloud drifting around but lots of clear spells as well and there will be mist and fog patches developing overnight and it's turning fairly chilly first thing tomorrow. temperatures in a few spots getting down to low single figures across parts of scotland and northern england as well. the weekend starts off on a bit

of a fresh note a not of dry weather and long spells of weather and sunshine for most of us. this is how saturday is shaping up. just an isolated chance of a rogue shower across kent and essex as well and breezy in the south—east. lighter winds elsewhere and lots of sunshine on the map. more cloud drifting in from the western isles, northern isles at times too, but for most of us, temperatures are 22. a touch warmer tomorrow compared to today and lighter winds today. heading into sunday, with changing its position a little bit, and so we will start to draw in a little bit more moisture and cloud across eastern scotland and eastern england and coming in on that breeze as well, but for the bulk of the uk, it's dry and fine and lots of sunshine on offer as well. temperatures getting up to around 21 degrees in the warmest spot but about 15 or 16 in the north east under the cloud. it does look like a fine settled weather will continue next week but with temperatures and low

for the time of year. goodbye. this is bbc news. the headlines: this is the scene live in kabul — as the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people are to be called forward to leave. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. it comes as at least 90 people, including 13 american soldiers, are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. president biden promises to hunt down the perpetrators. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay.

the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. three gold medals for paralympic gb today in tokyo. two in the pool, reece dunn clocks a new world record, and hannah russell retains her title. and in cycling, kadeena cox also defends her title setting a new world record. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the defence secretary has said that british forces have entered the final stages of flying people

out of kabul. ben wallace said it was a matter of deep regret that not everyone could be evacuated. it comes after 90 people were killed in two bomb blasts. this includes 13 us military personnel. most of the dead were afghan civilians. an emotional us presidentjoe biden had a message to those behind the attacks saying, "we will hunt you down, and make you pay." the uk says the kabul bombings will not affect the the uk forces airlift timetable. so far nearly 14,000 british nationals and eligible afghans have been airlifted out. but there's an acceptance amongst uk officials that it isn't possible to remove everybody. the first of our reports this hour is from graham satchell. sirens blare. for hour after hour, well into the night, the wounded were rushed to hospital.

the chaos of the last week in kabul turned to carnage. some arrived by ambulance, some in cars, some in wheelbarrows. afghans who had hoped to escape to a better life. just before sunset, there were two large explosions at kabul airport, the plume of smoke seen across the city. the attacks happened at the south side of the airport, one at abbey gate crowded with civilians, the other at the baron hotel, used as a centre for processing evacuees. this was the airport earlier in the day. despite warnings of an imminent attack and advice to stay away, it was packed, throngs of people desperate to escape. this one eyewitness's account. me and my group waited for more than 25 hours. we did not enter the airport because of the security situation. wounded everywhere.

i cannot explain what we saw today. my word is silent. 13 us military personnel were killed in the attack, the deadliest day for america in afghanistan in a decade. president biden had this warning for is—k, the terror group responsible. we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. the flag on the white house has been lowered as a mark of respect, but the loss of so many american lives heaps pressure on a president already being widely criticised for what's happening in kabul. president biden was defiant, saying evacuations would continue. america will not be intimidated. i have the utmost confidence in our brave servicemembers who continue to execute this mission with courage and honour to save lives and get americans, our partners, our afghan allies,

out of afghanistan. planes have started taking off again, but this morning the ministry of defence has announced the evacuation is in its final stages. no more afghans will be processed and it is likely today, we will see the last flights to safety. the defence secretary ben wallace has been speaking this morning — here's our political correspondent helen catt. ministers have been saying for days talking about hours about hours and days not weeks to get this airlift carried out. it has been confirmed that these are the final stages of that operation processing having stopped outside of the airport. ben wallace, the defence secretary give more detail earlier.

at 4:30 this morning we closed the hotel and brought over oui’ personnel. the abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so and indeed we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. that is where we move to the next stage which the evacuation of our 1000 trips. he has not said when the last british soldier would leave afghanistan but said that will be before the us does and also said they would have to leave some equipment behind or destroy it and was keen to stress this was a planned timetable and the suicide bombings yesterday have not made the british forces leave faster than they would have planned. the attacks were horrendous yesterday. our plan was to leave last night. i knew it was going to happen at some stage.

we have squeezed every hour, and no doubt we will see stories in a few days' time in the media, you know, why did we leave a land rover, why did we leave something? we did it so that we had more people on planes, and we did it so we had more hours, so we squeezed it all out as much as possible, and we have ended up with a situation that is a remarkable achievement. it hasn't brought every single person out, but it has brought back to this country 15,000 people, some british passport already, but obviously a significant number of afghans, who we now need to do the next step and say, they looked after us for 20 years, and now let's look after them. there was a large number of people evacuated in this operation but as you had a ben wallace a there are those that have been left behind and as this phase of the evacuation mousse i think -- i think —— mike mousse behind. i think it will tend to focus of what

the political situation will be. borisjohnson has talked about the taliban negotiating safe passage and mention negotiating with the taliban to allow that and ben wallace talked about countries that surround afghanistan people being processed there and getting over the borders is the land being brought in to a third country and brought into the uk if they qualify. though sort of things will be fees make serious questions about how feasible that will be for people left behind particularly given the situation on the ground. ben wallace admitted the taliban had started yesterday turning away afghan nationals who had come to the airport and he saw that as the taliban beginning to exert control so i think there will be huge questions asked about how feasible it will be for those left behind in this operation to get out.

this is the scene live in kabul airport. figures reported by reuters that have come from the white house, the latest figures on the number of people airlifted from afghanistan. 12,500 people have been brought from afghanistan on thursday and that raises the total since august 14 to around 105,000 people airlifted from afghanistan. that has come from the white house according to reuters. as you can see on your screen that is the scene live from kabul airport. we will return to that with any latest news from there. with the evacuation efforts by air

looking set to end — our correspondent yogita limaye explains how it's still continuing on foot. we know that there are people crossing over every day into pakistan from the border in southern afghanistan at spin boldak, and they are crossing over to chaman town in pakistan. the bbc has been speaking to some of these people, and they say that one woman said that her family has been separated. her son, who used to work for a british organisation, is left behind in kabul, hoping to get out from there. she and the rest of her family have now crossed over to pakistan, they do not know when they will see her son again. people who have left everything behind crossing over in their thousands and we also know there is a crowd building up there. it is not exactly clear what criteria are being applied for those who are being let in, but we hear that they do not really have documents or permits as such.

they are entering pakistan and going into different areas where they might have had families. they are a lot of cross—border linkages, people who have family on the other side of pakistan. and we are hearing reports of people going to the border on the other side, the west of the country with iran, we are not clear whether they are being allowed in there, whether people are getting in, people without permits, but the window is closing in. people without permits, but the we have heard canada, germany, australia saying they have finished their evacuation operation, the uk in final stages, there are lots of people still in afghanistan, people i have been speaking to over the past couple of weeks who feared for their lives under taliban rule who had the required permits to go to other countries but feel stop now,

the window for them to get out is closing and they are looking at other opportunities and other ways of trying to leave the country. the taliban's takeover poses a major challenge for the international community. there was plenty of rhetoric at the g7 meeting earlier this week on the leverage the west might use against afghanistan's new rulers. but, after 20 years on the ground, what influence can western nations actually have, now that they're gone. here's caroline hawley. the taliban triumphant inside the presidential palace when they took kabuljust 12 days ago. its leaders are sanctioned as terrorists, but they are in charge of afghanistan now and calling the shots. as the taliban advance through the country, western leaders had warned they would be international pariahs if they took power by force. they would be cut off from funds. now it has happened, and there is the dilemma

of exactly how to respond. the g7 leaders, and leaders across the eu, nato and the un, all agreed that we will stand united in our approach to the taliban. the g7 has very considerable leverage, economic, diplomatic and political. now that the last troops are almost gone, most countries have political influence, while russia and china keep their embassies in the capital. the departing west may have less financial leverage than they hope. there are other ways for the taliban to raise revenue, as they have already been doing. it is notjust about drugs, which does get a lot of attention, but the taliban can generate billions from its control over lucrative trade routes and it controls the whole country. and there are other partners, and i think particularly the role of china could be pivotal here. earlier this week, the taliban proudly tweeted a picture of them

it meeting the chinese ambassador. the americans did have extensive dealings with the taliban, talks that led to the deal struck in doha last year. it paved the way for the us to withdraw from afghanistan without being attacked, and the taliban promised in return not to harbour terrorists as they had during the last rule. education for girls is another key demand of the west, along with wider human rights, issues that won't particularly concern beijing. the difficulty with using economic leverage is that it only works if the target of your leverage has no other options. and in this case, the taliban does have the option of looking to the regional countries for support, and those countries, china, russia, iran, pakistan, are likely to be more flexible in their expectations of the taliban. the fear is that deepening poverty as well as fear will push more afghans to leave. europe is desperately worried that the taliban takeover, like the syrian war, will lead to a new flood

of refugees that can't be contained in the region. so much is at stake now and so much riding on these men. they have not yet formed a government, but their next steps will dictate how the rest of the world responds. caroline hawley, bbc news. the latest coronavirus figures have come through, infections in the week ending the 20th of august is one in 70 people. that's from the office of national statistics compared with the previous week statistic of one in 80. the prevalence has increased. the headlines on bbc news: the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave.

the latest coronavirus figures have come through, infections in the week ending the 20th of august is one in 70 people. that's from the office of national statistics compared with the previous week statistic of one in 80. the prevalence has increased. it comes as at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those who catch coronavirus, than those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. kadeena cox her record and knew she to beat canadian o'brien whether a brilliant ride setting a new world record in the process much to isaid to i said to her you are bringing home

a gold and she smashed it. she has ove 1120 m e overcome the extra obstacles and the pattern and the driver is what keeps the focus going. all things are possible. hannah russell and reece dunn retained their titles. it is the third games for hannah russell and she took a break from the games in rio dejaneiro for mental health reasons. reece dunn one his first medal in the 200 metres freestyle. the draw for the europa league group stages has taken place and leicester against napoli. rangers face lyons

and celtic take on bayern leverkusen. england have been bowled out for 432 early on day three of the third test against india at headingley. that's a huge lead of 354. there was a brief spot of rain , but india have just started their second innings. and they've got a mountain to climb. remember they were skittled forjust 78 first time round. live commentary right now with test match special on radio 5 live sports extra. a few moments ago there were 17 without loss. you can see the latest on the first practice ahead of the belgian grand prix.

a major review of vaccines suggests the astrazeneca jab does raise the risk of blood clots and another serious condition that can cause bleeding. but researchers, led by the university of oxford, found the risk of such problems was still much higher after a coronavirus infection. the team said the findings showed the "substantial" benefit of vaccination. dr andrew preston from bath university explained how much reassurance the review will give to those who have yet to take—up the vaccine. i certainly think it will help some people who have been vacillating about the vaccination. with the levels of

circulation, with the levels of circulation, as the study points out that if you are not vaccinated it is probably inevitable you're going to covid catch at some point given the figures and you run the risk of having some of these rare blood disorders. the risk of having some of these those who are i do logically opposed to having a vaccine, , it clarifies this decision that people are having to make when choosing whether to be vaccinated are not in terms of the risk that has been publicised, rare risks nonetheless from the adverse events following vaccination compared with the very real risk of the adverse events following covid—19 itself and this report quantifies that risk using a very large dataset. it is clear that it has been less recognised that these rare blood clotting disorders are a very real risk of complication from covid—19 itself, notjust the vaccines. i don't think it is going to be for those who are ideal logically opposed, it is difficult to dissuade from that view. bbc news understands that a—level and gcse results in england are likely to be published in the same week next year.

the arrangement was put in place for this year to allow time for appeals on grades assessed by teachers. earlier i spoke to education editor branwenjeffreys. this was put in place for people who were not happy with their grades and so for this first time we got a—level results on monday and gcse on a thursday. i understand that this is what the government wants to see and to keep inp lace and i understand it would move to a system where students after their a—level grades and gcse on a thursday. i understand that this is what the government wants to see and to keep inp lace and i understand it would move to a system where students after their a—level grades would then go through the process of getting a university place rather than as of now applying months and months ahead and get their offers and then wait for the grades. it's part of a bigger picture shift to applying to university after qualification. this is england only. university applications are uk—wide so any measures like this put in place would have to be agreed across the uk. will it make any meaningful difference to gcse pupils? it's slightly less of an issue for gcse pupils because it's not so critical for progression so for most gcse pupils they will have a range of options to go on to at college or sixth form, whether doing btec or other qualifications at a—level. there is usually a place for them

so this is much more about university applications are getting that right. one of the big arguments in favour and why many people support this idea is if you look at predicted grades there is some research that suggests for example poorer or disadvantaged pupils get lower predicted grades and their actual results are better so this could potentially pave the way in the longer term towards a fairer application process for universities. this is one of the changes brought about as a direct result of the pandemic. are there any similar changes that might be kept on beyond the pandemic? for example having assessments focusse less on exams? across the uk ministers have indicated its is their intention to go back to exams next summer. there will be modifications and we expect more

details on how exactly that will work in the early autumn. there have been consultations carried out appropriate so there is a recognition students have missed a huge amount with all the destruction of the last year so the exams will probably slimmed down next year. there has been discussion in england about how you get back to a situation where you have a more even spread of grades rather than them clustered at the top with the suggestion being that could be moved towards a number system in a—level which i understand is off the cards for next year. it's being considered in the longer term, possibly in place for 2023 but if not for 2024. let's show you the pictures of a large fire on an industrial estate in leamington spa on ginnal drive. ——juno. police say emergency

measures are in place and the fire service and advising people who live nearby to keep indoors. mark king has been campaigning for all schools and sports clubs to have defibrillators, since his 12—year—old son oliver died from a sudden cardiac arrest, after a swimming lesson. following an appearance on the bbc, alongside former liverpool footballerjamie carragher, the pair were invited to meet the education secretary gavin williamson, to discuss the campaign. they had that meeting yesterday, and ijoined them on theirjourney. to discuss the campaign. preparing for the next step in a journey which started a decade ago, with the death of his son, oliver. my lucky lock of our ollie's hair. that will go in my pocket, so it will bring us a bit of luck. not a bit, a lot of luck, that will be here. oliver was 12 when he died, having suffered a cardiac arrest during a swimming lesson at school. his father, mark, is on a mission

to make defibrillators mandatory for all schools and sports clubs. tickets, money, yeah. see you later on. he's taking his schools mission right to the top, to the education secretary. also on board is former liverpool and england defender, jamie carragher, who has worked with mark's campaign for years. mark says his son would still be alive if there had been a defibrillator at the pool where he died. through a charity he set up, mark has distributed the devices to more than 5,500 schools and gyms. he hopes today's meeting will help push towards the legislation he's after. how are you feeling about today? very optimistic, confident that we'll get a good result today off gavin. and what do you hope the outcome will be? hopefully legislation for schools and then full legislation to follow. that wherever you see a fire extinguisher in a public building, you've got fire extinguishers here.

obviously there are defibs here already. wherever you see a fire extinguisher in a public building, a defib not farfrom it. we can't have a meeting about a meeting about a meeting that happened three months ago. it's an answer today, please. the fact these aren't in every school up and down the country, every sports centre, every building basically is a travesty really and hopefully we can change that. i think this has become even more prominent now on the back of what happened in the summer with christian eriksen. we all watched that. as i said, it really hit home — how important defibrillators are. hopefully, we can get what everybody wants. christian eriksen collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during the euros. he was treated with a defibrillator on the pitch and went on to recover. current legislation in england means defibrillators are put in place in new schools and those being refurbished. mark and jamie want the education secretary, gavin williamson, to get it extended further. a seemingly positive meeting with a tweet of support. i think he is committed to what we're trying to do. he's got children himself. to what we're trying to do.

he understands from a father's point of view that we've got to look after our kids. the education secretary told mark and jamie he's committed for pushing for retrospective legislation to get defibrillators in all schools and to try to secure funding for schools to get the devices at cost price, £600 each. he has also said he's going to give us some financial support. that was a shock to me because we've never asked the government to pay. but if they're feeling generous... carry on. who am i to say no? let's get the money in, the equipment out and let's start saving lives. yeah, i think speaking to gavin williamson today, it looks like he's on board. that's the impression in the meeting and we're very thankful of that. hopefully he'll back that up and i think he will. lending them support is a politician who, as a child, learned to swim in the very pool where mark's son died. i'm hoping this legislation is not needed because who would be against putting defibrillators in school? pushing the secretary of state as we did today and others is the way forward in my view. if we wait for legislation,

it might be too long. the second reading of mark's bill to make the devices mandatory in schools is due before parliament in a couple of weeks. he hopes with this new backing today it may stand more of a chance of progressing to the next stage. for the short time we had him, in the 12 years we had him, he never let us down. this is my turn now not to let him down. we'll push and push and push. this is my turn now not to let him down. we'll push and push and push. we've started this, i will not be giving it up. their decade—long campaign continues. they now feel a big step closer to pushing for law change and potentially saving more lives. luxmy gopal, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas... good morning. the generally fine, settled theme to the weather will continue through today and through the course of the weekend. so things not changing in a hurry. some spells of sunshine out there today. things looking largely dry. we did have some mist and some fog around this morning which is clearing away, so a lot of fine, bright weather. just the odd spot of drizzle perhaps coming out of that cloud in

parts of north—east england down towards the midlands, but most places fine. more sunshine than yesterday for east anglia and the south—east, but still a breeze coming in off the north sea, so feeling a bit cooler for the likes of newcastle, around 16 degrees, the warmest spots in the west, up to about 20 degrees. into this evening and overnight, it is dry with some patchy cloud, but also agains, some mist and some fog patches developing and quite chilly. temperatures down into single figures across northern areas in particular. a bit of a fresh start to saturday, but saturday brings another fine, dry day. just the outside chance of a rogue shower in the south east first thing. we've got lighter winds than we've seen recently, so a touch warmer tomorrow with highs around 18 to 22 we've got lighter winds than we've seen recently, so a touch warmer tomorrow with highs around 18 to 22 degrees. bye— bye.

you can hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... the uk enters the final stage of its afghanistan evacuation operation by air. no more people will be called forward to kabul airport to leave. the government says it correct that not everybody can be helped to leave the country. it comes as at least 90 people including 13 american soldiers are now known to have died in the kabul airport suicide attacks. president biden promises to hunt down the perpetrators. the risk of blood clots is almost nine times higher in those

who catch coronavirus, than in those who've had a vaccine, according to a major new study. three gold medals for paralympic gb today in tokyo. two in the pool, reece dunn clocks a new world record, and hannah russell retains her title. and in cycling, kadeena cox also defends her title setting a new world record. let's return to our top story, and the response to the bombings outside kabul airport which killed 90 people and left dozens injured. 12 us troops were among those killed. despite that, president biden says the us airlift will continue. he gave his response to the bombings last night at the white house. the lives we lost today were lives given in the service of liberty.

in the service of security and the service of others. in the service of america. like their fellow brothers and sisters in arms who have died defending our vision and our values in the struggle against terrorism, of the fallen this day, they are part of a great, noble company of american heroes. to those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes america harm, know this, we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. i will defend our interests and people with every measure at my command. over the past few weeks, i know many of you are tired of me hearing me say this, we have been made aware by our intelligence community

that the isis k, and arch enemy taliban, people were freed from both those prisons, and they have planned a complex set of attacks on us personnel and others. this is why the from the outset, i repeatedly said this mission was extraordinarily dangerous and why i have been so determined to limit the duration of this mission. following those attacks, speaking to bbc breakfast, the defence secretary ben wallace explained when uk evacuations from kabul airport will end. at about 4.30 this morning we authorised the closure of the baron's hotel, that is a processing centre, and brought across the british government officials that were working there are military in

processing. abbey gate is currently closed and will remain so. indeed, we are a processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and we will fly them out today. that is effectively where we will move to the next stage which is the evacuation of our troops. hog? is the evacuation of our troops. how many flights — is the evacuation of our troops. how many flights do _ is the evacuation of our troops. how many flights do you expect to take off today? the many flights do you expect to take off toda ? , ., , many flights do you expect to take offtoda ? , ., , off today? the flights vary, as do the payload- _ off today? the flights vary, as do the payload- l— off today? the flights vary, as do the payload. i have _ off today? the flights vary, as do the payload. i have authorised i off today? the flights vary, as do | the payload. i have authorised the loosening of regulations a few days ago so that we can put more people in planes that we would not normally do, so it could range between eight or nine flights coming in. we have to take the equipment out of the military as well as we start to draw down. the americans have a clear timetable. i think we will top off in a few days' time, i will not tell you exactly when the last british soldier will be out for operational regions, but we will be out before the united states.— regions, but we will be out before the united states. understood. so we have a clear —

the united states. understood. so we have a clear picture _ the united states. understood. so we have a clear picture of _ the united states. understood. so we have a clear picture of the _ have a clear picture of the numbers, you talked about the british troops that were there, how many british troops are there who will clearly need to be evacuated as we reach these final hours.— these final hours. 1000 is the number of — these final hours. 1000 is the number of troops _ these final hours. 1000 is the number of troops that - these final hours. 1000 is the number of troops that are - these final hours. 1000 is the i number of troops that are there. that is made of 150 or 160 that were there before this was triggered, plus the two pirate entry parent regiment, a whole range of characters who have made this happen, and we have even had people backin happen, and we have even had people back in the uk ready on standby from three scott. so, a huge cast of people that have been out there doing it. they are obviously accompanied by equipment. one of the challenges i had a few days ago is that i needed as many hours it is possible to get afghans and british nationals out. the trade—off is how much kit do we take out and how much do we effectively leave on the ground or destroy on the ground so no one else can use them, or

abandon, so that i can have more hours for humanitarian versus military. we started a long evacuation for our military, and that was eating into too many days, so i took a decision when i was given advice by myjoint commander that he could concertina those hours but there would be a certain cost to that. i said yes, let's do it. every 24 hours matters to get out. we should not underestimate the significance of the achievement. i wish the environment it was in was much better, but overall we have taken out, since this thing started, bidding in august 14, we have taken out nearly 8000 the interpreters and people who helped the british armed forces over 20 years and helped wider government, but also british nationals. we have taken out nearly 4000 passport holders as well and

thatis 4000 passport holders as well and that is a huge achievement to do in a very hostile environment with awful humanitarian crisis around them. i think that is an achievement. but as i have sadly had to say a few days ago, two weeks ago, that we will not get everyone out, but we have made a significant chunk of that has gone out. it is chunk of that has gone out. it is inescapable _ chunk of that has gone out. it is inescapable to _ chunk of that has gone out. it is inescapable to ask— chunk of that has gone out. it is inescapable to ask you this morning, given what you just said about your previous statements, this is in many ways the moment that the uk government and you personally, this is the moment you treaded, the moment when you would have to say no more. , ~' moment when you would have to say no more. , ~ ., .,, more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was — more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was not _ more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was not haste _ more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was not haste and - more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was not haste and by - more. yes, i knew that last night, and it was not haste and by the i and it was not haste and by the attacks. the attacks were horrendous yesterday, but our plan was to leave last night. i knew it was going to happen at some stage. we have squeezed every hour, and no doubt we will see stories in a few days' time in the media why did you leave a

land rover or something? we did it so that we would have more people in planes and we would have more hours. we have squeezed it out as much as possible and have ended up with a situation that is a remarkable achievement, has not brought every single person out, but has brought back to this country, 15,000 people, some british passport holders already, but a significant number of afghans who will now need to do the next step. they looked after roughs of 20 years, and now let's look after them. of 20 years, and now let's look after them-— of 20 years, and now let's look after them. . , ., , . after them. the harsh reality check here is that — after them. the harsh reality check here is that notwithstanding - after them. the harsh reality check here is that notwithstanding those | here is that notwithstanding those comments you made about the commitments you have a duty to still help on going, as you talk to me this morning, as we stand the gates shut. literally or metaphorically to anyone who is not already within that compound, this moment of those people trying to get out is over. it

people trying to get out is over. tit is over on that route for the short time. the g7 met and was very clear that the international community wanted to put pressure on the taliban to do a number of things. one was to make sure that routes through the country and out of the country were maintained. but also that afghanistan signed up to a number of international obligations under the last government, those obligations such as towards human rights were maintained. also that the taliban would give passage to our people. i'm not kidding myself that that is easy but it is likely the afghan taliban will want to keep the afghan taliban will want to keep the airport functioning. trade is incredibly important to afghanistan. they will keep their borders open and keep theirflights they will keep their borders open and keep their flights going. whether that will be immediately, we don't know but in the medium term i think that is possible. other countries in the middle east with

close ties to afghanistan are working to explore how they can keep the airports open and actually deliver the airport maintenance and function so we can do that. but also, two things for those people, and i know how desperate they will be, i have had them in my e—mails and everything with my family desperately trying to get through, is that we will beef up where we need to in neighbouring countries the visa processing centres. we will take those people from them if and when they turn up. so those countries is a possibility. again it is optimal, but i if they can get there i think it is possible and we will make her arrangements in the scheme and we will get them processed and bring them home back to the united kingdom to start a new life if they can do that, and at the same time what advice we can give them to protect themselves while they are in afghanistan. 1

them to protect themselves while they are in afghanistan. ijust them to protect themselves while they are in afghanistan. i 'ust want to brina they are in afghanistan. i 'ust want to bring you — they are in afghanistan. i 'ust want to bring you some t they are in afghanistan. i 'ust want to bring you some new _ they are in afghanistan. i just want to bring you some new coronavirus| to bring you some new coronavirus figures that have come through from scotland, some record data that we have got coming through. scotland has recorded for coronavirus deaths and 6835 new cases in the past 24 hours. nicola sturgeon has said that is their record daily high for positive test north of the border. the death toll under this daily measure, that is of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days stands at 1903. nicola sturgeon, speaking during a cottage government briefing said there were a number of tests on thursday, and the daily test positivity rate is up from 11.5% the previous day, and 7.9%... that is up

53 with 47 patients in intensive care in scotland. scotland has recorded four covid—19 deaths and 6435 new cases in the past 24 hours. that is a record daily —positive tests there. as internet —— it is a temporary home for them to wait for then next flight into a new life in the united states. keeping pace with the scale of the arrivals is a huge challenge. jean mackenzie visited the base in the hours before the attacks in kabul. the smile says it all. these are the lucky ones. kabul�*s latest evacuees touched down near minutes ago. there is evidence of

the chaos they left behind. families have been separated, more than a dozen children are here alone. some arrivals are treated for gunshot wounds, still fresh from their struggle to get out of the country. but the us commander running this base urges people not to lose sight of their gains. this is about humanity and there are young women that can read today, there are people that are alive today because of the us. whatever policy decision and whether it's 20, 30 years, that's way out of my league. but i'm just focused on people are coming today and the people that we have helped over those 20 years. this is a mission like no other in the air base's history. in a week, it has been transformed into both a refugee camp and an international airport. the pressure is on, they are expecting 10,000 people to arrive here today alone. this is by far the biggest moment in this operation. they won't say when the last flight is expected, only that by tonight, they expect to be at capacity

at this airbase. so it is clear that we are into the final push to get people out. there are nowjust a handful of days before all us troops are scheduled to withdraw from afghanistan. we know the task on the ground is daunting. what we are working on right now is focused on getting as many people out of afghanistan as possible and bringing them to safe locations. what is the plan for the people who you can't get out? so, that's, that's a tough question and i... we are going to keep on advocating to get people out of afghanistan through our channels. but on this tarmac, there is relief. this is the final leg of their escape. a flight to the us and a new home. a world away from the one they fled. jean mckenzie, bbc news, ramstein air base, in germany.

the labour leader can circuit stammer has been speaking to reporters over the last few minutes on the situation there. i pat; on the situation there. i pay tribute to — on the situation there. i pay tribute to the _ on the situation there. i pay tribute to the courage - on the situation there. i pay tribute to the courage and l on the situation there. t n—1 tribute to the courage and bravery of all of those that have worked, particularly on the ground, at kabul airport under horrific circumstances to get thousands of people out to safety. but it is a dark day for those in afghanistan and particularly those who have not managed to get out. that includes people on the uk protection scheme. these are people that are eligible to come out because they have worked alongside us on the front line in afghanistan. some of those individuals have not had their claims processed on time, have not been brought forward and have not managed to get through the barriers, and we need an urgent plan for them because they are very much at risk. i want to see that urgent plan and keepin i want to see that urgent plan and keep in contact with them, we need

to keep giving them advice and support and the government need to show what legal and safe passages there are out. the immediate concern is those that have been left behind who urgently need that protection and support right now. haifa who urgently need that protection and support right now. how serious setback is the _ and support right now. how serious setback is the situation _ and support right now. how serious setback is the situation in _ and support right now. how serious setback is the situation in to - setback is the situation into western— setback is the situation in to western foreign inc dressed and globally? it western foreign inc dressed and aloball ? , ., western foreign inc dressed and aloball ? , . , globally? it is a huge setback, regionally _ globally? it is a huge setback, regionally and _ globally? it is a huge setback, regionally and globally. - globally? it is a huge setback, i regionally and globally. obviously in the coming weeks and months there is going to have to be serious thought given to what the policy in afghanistan is. i think the immediate priority is to ensure that our troops get out safely in the next few days, and i hope they'll get out safely. and that we have a plan in place for those that should have got out in the last few days but did not. we all have examples. i have examples and my caseworkers are

working for people on the uk government scheme who put their claiming weeks or even months ago but did not get it processed on time and were not called forward and did not get on flights. really serious questions for the government to answer in due course over lack of preparation, but in the immediate term we need to answer how many of them are going into hiding and giving them the advice that they need and setting up safe legal routes for them to get out of the country as soon as possible. we went into a deal with _ country as soon as possible. we went into a deal with terrorism _ country as soon as possible. we went into a deal with terrorism and - country as soon as possible. we went into a deal with terrorism and we - into a deal with terrorism and we are coming — into a deal with terrorism and we are coming out in the face of a terrorist — are coming out in the face of a terrorist attack. in are coming out in the face of a terrorist attack.— terrorist attack. in due course there are _ terrorist attack. in due course there are going _ terrorist attack. in due course there are going to _ terrorist attack. in due course there are going to be - terrorist attack. in due course there are going to be many i terrorist attack. in due course - there are going to be many questions that have to be answered in relation to what has gone on. we have known for 18 months that this moment would come but there has been a lack of preparation by the government. but i think all of us want to pay tribute to the courage and bravery of those on the ground, whether it is our troops or diplomatic staff, embassy

staff, afghan so it's —— afghan soldiers and civilians alongside us. incredible bravery of those that have been working in awful circumstances, and in stark contrast to the cowardice of the terrorists attacks we have seen. the immediate concern is those that have not got out who need to get out. there are many hundreds of these cases and we need urgently to protect them. is need urgently to protect them. is this now the conclusion of a series of failings — this now the conclusion of a series of failings of consecutive governments?— of failings of consecutive governments? of failings of consecutive covernments? ., ., �* ~ governments? no. i don't think an bod governments? no. i don't think anybody could _ governments? no. i don't think anybody could look— governments? no. i don't think anybody could look at _ governments? no. i don't think anybody could look at 20 - governments? no. i don't think anybody could look at 20 years | governments? no. i don't think l anybody could look at 20 years of educating girls and women in afghanistan could say that was a failure. quite the contrary. i don't think anyone could say that over the past 20 years there have been successful terrorist plot avoided and that has been a failure. today,

my concern is about those eligible people on the uk government scheme, some nationals and wider groups who have not got out of the country on those flights that desperately need our advice and support and to know what safe and legal routes they have now got to get out of the country as quickly as possible.— quickly as possible. when do you think the special _ quickly as possible. when do you think the special relationship - quickly as possible. when do you i think the special relationship goes? would _ think the special relationship goes? would you — think the special relationship goes? would you put the pressure on the us president? _ would you put the pressure on the us president? the would you put the pressure on the us resident? ., ., , , ., president? the relationship we have had with americo _ president? the relationship we have had with americo over _ president? the relationship we have had with americo over the _ president? the relationship we have had with americo over the past - president? the relationship we have| had with americo over the past years has been as drunken special relationship. it will continue in that way. this evacuation in the way we have dealt with afghanistan has been a particular difficulty but the relationship will endure. what i want to see from our prime minister is leadership. we are a chair of g7 and a member of nato and the securities council. we want global leadership on this issue.— securities council. we want global leadership on this issue. should we aliun leadership on this issue. should we ali . n with leadership on this issue. should we align with the _ leadership on this issue. should we align with the us _ leadership on this issue. should we align with the us on _ leadership on this issue. should we align with the us on a _

leadership on this issue. should we align with the us on a response - leadership on this issue. should we align with the us on a response to| align with the us on a response to their_ align with the us on a response to their terrorist attacks yesterday? at the _ their terrorist attacks yesterday? at the moment, i think the focus should be on dealing with such intelligence that we have got like the other attacks and making sure we can mitigate as best we can against them. i want to see our troops safely out of afghanistan. hopefully that will happen in the next few days, and i think everyone watching this will say we want to see all of our troops out and safely back to our troops out and safely back to our country, but we also want to see a plan for those that have been left behind, some afghans who were alongside us on the front line, and because of that are now significantly at risk and have gone into hiding. all of us are dealing with those very difficult cases at the moment. it's time to have our monthly catch up with what happening in coventry�*s city of culture — the year—long festival of events . and as we slowly come out of lockdown, there's been an unlocking of talent across the city. this bank holiday weekend,

a new arts centre — the daimler powerhouse — which has undergone a £2.5million revamp — will officially open its doors over the bank holiday weekend with a special free event. our correspondent trish adudu has been keeping across what the city has to offer. yes, thanks, i'm outside daimler powerhouse, it's an incredibly impressive building, that's for sure and hundreds of years ago it put coventry on the map because it was the uk first car factory, employing around about 5000 people. it doesn't produce cars any more, it produces creativity and this weekend the public will be able to come these huge doors and see the best of coventry creativity talent as part of a city of culture event. let's speak to jane, ceo of imagineer, that manage this building. what will the public expect? again, they'll see all kinds of things as part of this coventry summer canal programme. in this building there is going to be machines and mayhem, we've got the encyclopaedia, 36 interconnected tricycles that people

can ride, we've got venture, which is a merry—go—round powered by tricycles. we've got a french company coming, actually, lots of live stuff, isn't it great to have live stuff happening? a french company coming, who blow ribbons and cover you in ribbons and they blow it out of leaf blowers. it sounds great! extraordinary, and we've got circus performers, aerial flight work and exhibitions and things that people could come and make and do. and how important is it to be part of the city of culture, jane? it's a really, really important year for all of us and all the independent arts organisations in the city. we are getting so much inspiration from companies coming from outside. but this building is a legacy to the city of culture so when the city of culture is over we are going to be here still motoring away, still doing extraordinary things, i hope. 0k. extraordinary things are definitely here because look at this huge moon, six metres by six metres of woven wall. incredible, it's taken over 40 local people to interconnect all the fibres and the artist behind it isjean.

what a massive feat! yes, it has been a labour of love. it's brought together individuals, groups and community groups across coventry, each moving their individual part of the moon, all to be brought together in the imagineer building. sewn together, constructed to create this six metre by six metre moon. last night i was at the rehearsal of the story behind the brightest moon which talks about the story of the coventry blitz. yes, that's right, the actual title of the brightest moon came from an eyewitness account on that night and how the moon was used for such a destructive act but now this installation is reclaiming the moon for the city of coventry and reclaiming it to its rightful place as a beautiful part of nature. it really is totally beautiful. we many not be able

to walk on the moon in our lifetime but you can get up close and personal in coventry with it this weekend. and thank you, sophie, wonderful piano playing in the background. it's been 39 years since abba last released new music, but now their return has been teased in a cryptic message posted on social media. the swedish icons have launched a website, asking fans to register interest in a project — which is thought to be a tour and five new songs. can they ever match these absolute classics though?! # yes, i've been brokenhearted. # blue since the day we parted # why, why, did i ever let you go?# # waterloo, i was defeating, you won the war # waterloo, promise to love you for ever more... # tonight the super trouper # lights are going to find me,

# shining like the sun. # take a chance on me. # you can dance, you canjive # having the time of your life # see that girl, watch that scene # digging the dancing queen... earlier we spoke to superfan gary collins, who is also one of the editors of the international abba fan club magazine. it is a gamble, but i have, as a fan, complete faith in them. i'm not worried at all about the music. none of us have heard it yet and we don't know exactly how much we are getting. i think that will become clear next week. they are such hard workers

in the studio, i think, all the way through their career, and they would not give us new music unless they were 100% sure that it was great. so i'm not worried. over the years, with the films and theatre show, they have seen how much people love their music, i think. after all those years of not doing anything creatively, i think they suddenly got a passion to do something again. i think, even though they were two married couples that were divorced, they have remained friends and i think that's been key. now it's time for a look at the weather. there is variable amounts of blood today— there is variable amounts of blood today like — there is variable amounts of blood today like we had yesterday but some areas will _ today like we had yesterday but some areas will remain sunny and clear.

there _ areas will remain sunny and clear. there will— areas will remain sunny and clear. there will be a bit more sunshine around. ourarea of there will be a bit more sunshine around. our area of high pressure dominating. still quite breezy across the south—east corner and it is there we will see the most patchy cloud. there will be some sunny spells in between there. the greatest chance to see sunny spells this afternoon. 21 and 22 degrees will be there high. still quite cool along the north sea coast are particularly along the south—east corner. this evening and overnight it stays dry once again. varying amounts of cloud over central northern and eastern areas. temperatures here dropping in the west to single figures. where we have the cloud in the breeze just into double figures. over the weekend, ourarea into double figures. over the weekend, our area of high pressure stays put it will remain dry. the centre of high pressured drifts towards the west of the uk this

weekend. it could allow the threat of just one or weekend. it could allow the threat ofjust one or two showers over the continent to scrape past the very fast south—east, perhaps intercoastal kent but i think even here it should stay largely dry. central and eastern areas, more of the breeze in the south—east. here, the breeze in the south—east. here, the wins will be like to. it will be a little bit warmer on saturday afternoon, highs into the low 205. the central belt of scotland 23 degrees but may be even higher temperatures across central and southern england two. a breeze across northern areas, so could give across northern areas, so could give a bit more cloud across northern ireland. cooler along northern and eastern coast. for many of us, monday is a bank holiday and it looks like it is going to be a dry one. quite a lot of cloud around,

the best of the sunshine out west. top temperature is going to be a dry one. quite a lot of cloud around, the best of the sunshine out west. top temperatures 21 celsius.

this is bbc news, i'm lyse doucet live in kabul. you're watching a bbc news special on the crisis in afghanistan. the military operation to evacuate thousands of people from the country is entering its last few hours, but some afghans desperate to flee taliban rule will be left behind. kabul is still reeling from two explosions at the city's

airport on thursday, which killed at least 90 people,