got up and said, well, then george got up and said, well, i've got to rush now, because i'm moving home at half past four with ringo and the police are giving us an escort and he left, years later i met george and his lovely .itis . it is is very hard to put this all into words. new york declared a state of emergency as tropical storm hurricane i don't brings record rainfall and flash flooding! . the foreign secretary goes to cattle for talks about persuading afghanistan's new rulers to reopen kabul airport, to allow the exit of british nationals and afghans. as school

starts a new academic year, the education secretary urges the government or adviser to make a decision on covid—i9 vaccinations for 12—15 —year—olds. i decision on covid-19 vaccinations for 12-15 -year-olds._ for 12-15 -year-olds. i think parents _ for 12-15 -year-olds. i think parents will _ for 12-15 -year-olds. i think parents will find _ for 12-15 -year-olds. i think parents will find it - for 12-15 -year-olds. i think parents will find it deeply . parents will find it deeply reassuring to have a choice of whether their children should have a vaccination or not.— vaccination or not. meanwhile, if ou a vaccination or not. meanwhile, if you a teacher. — vaccination or not. meanwhile, if you a teacher, carer— vaccination or not. meanwhile, if you a teacher, carer or _ vaccination or not. meanwhile, if you a teacher, carer or parent, l vaccination or not. meanwhile, if. you a teacher, carer or parent, and your children are back to school or about to be, let me know what plans are in place to try to prevent covid—i9 transmission. our pupils being asked to keep wearing masks? have any monitors of c02 arrived? you can get in touch with on twitter. . , . , , twitter. critics including president joe biden condemn _ twitter. critics including president joe biden condemn a _ twitter. critics including president joe biden condemn a new- twitter. critics including president joe biden condemn a new law - twitter. critics including president joe biden condemn a new law in l twitter. critics including president - joe biden condemn a new law in texas joe biden condemn a new law in texas banning abortion from as early as six weeks. and abba are set to make a comeback

for the first new music in almost four decades. good morning and welcome to bbc news. dame sarah storey has become britain's most successful paralympian of all time. she successfully defended her ca to 5 cycling road race title in tokyo earlier this morning, to claim her third gold medal of the tokyo games — and the 17th paralympic gold of her career. dame sarah has now won an incredible 28 paralympic games medals since making her debut at the 1992 games in barcelona — nearly three decades ago. michael redford reports. dame sarah storey, record—breaker, history maker! the latest chapter in this incredible career.

dame sarah storey is great britain's most successful paralympian. and it was perhaps fitting that she would become great britain's best in typical great british weather. not that that would ever be an issue. the road race is storey�*s event. she won it at the past two paralympics. not that she had it all her own way, though. germany's kerstin brachtendorf hadn't read the script, opening up a lead of more than a minute. but to beat sarah storey, you need a bigger lead than that. a grimace, and then a glance behind told brachtendorf she had been caught with a lap to go. pushed by team—mate crystal lane wright, there was time for a chat and a pat on the back. storey�*s success just around the corner. from a young age, storey was told to focus only on herself. she's certainly done that. so have her competitors. she's now a3. they still couldn't find a way to beat her. we're always confident in sarah. what sarah does is wins, and wins races well,

and gradually she pulled it back. she did all the work behind the leader, and then finally she got to the front and outsprinted crystal to take the win, so it was a beautiful watch, brought tears to my eyes, even for me. this is storey�*s third gold medal of this games, her 17th gold medal overall. she is quite simply the perfect paralympian. michael redford, bbc news. speaking from tokyo within the past hour, dame sarah described how she's still coming to terms with the enormity of her achievement. it still feels a bit like an out of body experience, like you're watching someone else go through that, it is very hard to put into words, but i have worked for this for such a long time, but i have worked for each race independently. so now, we finished all three, i'm like, "we're finished!" i'm going home tomorrow and be at home tomorrow evening. it's very strange that over

the course of the next few hours, and the next day before i get home, it starts to sink in, i've just had so many messages, and i'm trying desperately hard to reply to all them all as quickly as i can, because it is incredibly overwhelming! and back at home in the uk, dame sarah's husband barney praised his wife's extraordinary talent. it is very difficult to put into words how to describe her drive, dedication, which allows her to keep competing and winning and getting better. every single games she gets to. ifor one, i'mjust about the same age and it's... i have no wish to be that as of breath ever again! but she is just amazing, how she manages to find new ways, being in different environment chambers, at high altitude, just to push her body even more and she just able to do that i think there are very few people in

the world that are able to do that. a couple of little yawns in the eight—year—old, louisa, very late night for the whole family! eight-year-old, louisa, very late night for the whole family! staying u . night for the whole family! staying u- to night for the whole family! staying up to watch _ night for the whole family! staying up to watch her— night for the whole family! staying up to watch her mum. _ rachel morris won gb�*s first—ever handcycling gold at the paralympics in beiijng and a bronze four years later in london. she then changed sport to rowing and won gold for single sculls at rio in 2016. so, like sarah storey, competing across two different disciplines. shejoins me now. rachel, an absolutely phenomenal achievement from sarah storey. and it was interesting listening to the clip saying that she feels that she feels like it has been an out of body experience. i guess when you win a gold, when you win as many goals as she has, it takes a while for that to sink in! i goals as she has, it takes a while for that to sink in!— for that to sink in! i think it does. i think _ for that to sink in! i think it does. i think for _ for that to sink in! i think it does. i think for any - for that to sink in! i think it i does. i think for any athlete, for that to sink in! i think it - does. i think for any athlete, there is almost a stopping time, it really does feel like that. and to know

what she was going to achieve, by the outcome of this race, by winning, and she is the most oppressive person of dealing with pressure, used to share a room with her, she is the ultimate athlete. but to have that knowledge about what was going to happen if you achieve that goal today, it is quite achieve that goal today, it is quite a pressure on her and i'm sure she has a really good job of pushing it away, so she's not heading it in the race. but it was like you have to catch up on that period of time. yes, i think i know what you mean! she hasn't won anything except gold since making her cycling her olympic debut at beijing in 2008. just put into context with us how extraordinary that achievement is and what level of dedication, physical and mental fitness as a require to do something like this? again, it is entirely because of who

she is and how she has done in that she is and how she has done in that she has achieved what she has. but to come back and retain the title is incredibly hard, often harder than going out and winning a first time. both mindset wise and physically, very challenging to do. so to have come back and keep getting goals when she wins, you know, when she's competing, isjust an incredible experience and shows the result that i don't think we will see again a very long time. i say she is the ultimate athlete, she can put her mind to something and just filter everything else out. when i was running, used to row in a lake, but when you are in lanes, you don't look either side of you, and you are very focused in how you grow, whereas in cycling, there are so many other things that can change in lots of ways, although you are facing the right direction when cycling! slightly easier than the rowing! but it is trying to keep

yourself and not let other people get involved in your race plan. sarah is so full of at that. so is that what _ sarah is so full of at that. so is that what you _ sarah is so full of at that. so is that what you mean _ sarah is so full of at that. so is that what you mean when - sarah is so full of at that. so is that what you mean when you | sarah is so full of at that. so is i that what you mean when you say sarah is so full of at that. so is that what you mean when you say that is because of who she is? i read about her father having said to her when she was starting off, in swimming, then it wasn't at that stage, winning competitions, eight he said, that she just had to focus on her, and just being the best that you can be. is that the essence of her success? you can be. is that the essence of hersuccess? do you can be. is that the essence of her success? do you think? absolutely. sarah is completing —— competing against herself. so it is not so much about the other competitors. i liked a lot in essence from sarah when i came to sport and went and changed to sports, took a lot of what i had learnt from sarah. but yes, she is also exceptionally talented, with the right people around her for that team, so the people that were with her out in tokyo, they are people that will enable her to perform best, not necessarily always to

other people want to be there, but sarah's know is what is right for her and as an athlete, is a very hard place to be to get balance, of saying yes, actually, you're the right person for me, but you're not necessarily on the programme, but equally, you can come in, but you can't get a ticket to come into the velodrome has a race or to come into some of her races, but she knows that person is there as part of her team. it is a really crucial part of her game. team. it is a really crucial part of her game-— team. it is a really crucial part of her name. ,, , , team. it is a really crucial part of her name. ,, ., , , . her game. she has been competing at the hirhest her game. she has been competing at the highest level— her game. she has been competing at the highest level for _ her game. she has been competing at the highest level for almost _ her game. she has been competing at the highest level for almost three - the highest level for almost three decades. given what we have seen from her, here in tokyo, i guess there is a pretty strong possibility that we might see her at the next paralympics as well! what do you think? , ., , ., , paralympics as well! what do you think? , ., , ., , think? three years out is not very lona in think? three years out is not very long in an — think? three years out is not very long in an athlete's _ think? three years out is not very long in an athlete's lifestyle -- i long in an athlete's lifestyle —— life—cycle. i imagine she will be really keen to have her family there, the kids will be old enough

to enjoy the whole part of being at the paralympics and hopefully we'll be able to have people watching for the athletes next time, hopefully in paris. i think it will be a really big thing for sarah to have that family units then for them to experience it with her. i would not be surprised to see sarah and starting again in paris! aha, be surprised to see sarah and starting again in paris!- be surprised to see sarah and starting again in paris! a bet that would be an _ starting again in paris! a bet that would be an absolutely _ starting again in paris! a bet that would be an absolutely amazing l would be an absolutely amazing motivation for her. rachel, really good to talk to you, glad to hear your thoughts on this wonderful story today, rachel morris. we will have much more reaction to dame sarah's historic win in our sports bulletin which is at 9:30am this morning. in the last two minutes, it has been reported that six people have died in torrential flood, tornado and torrential rain in the east coast of the united states. two of the deaths happened in newjersey and four in newjersey. —— new york. a state of emergency has been

declared. almost all subway stations are closed, and services on major routes are suspended, after unprecedented levels of rainfall in the wake of hurricane ida. you are seeing some of these latest pictures coming into us as drivers in the city struggled to pass through flooded streets, in fact most drivers were advised not to try to be out on the street, emergency vehicles only, the mayor of new york city has described the record—breaking levels of rainfall as brutal. brutalflooding was record—breaking levels of rainfall as brutal. brutal flooding was the phrase that he used, he said it was life threatening and encouraged people to stay inside. a new york's central park, more than three inches of rainfall fell in just one single hour on wednesday evening, that is a record. stay with us this morning for the latest, we hope to speak to cbs correspondent bradbury blackburn, his camera crew has been delayed because of the weather, so

we hope to get the latest from him from cbs. the foreign secretary dominic raab, will hold talks with leaders in the gulf state of qatar today, about the prospect of re—opening kabul airport, and allowing people to leave afghanistan. he will also be briefed on discussions between british officials and the taliban. it follows his appearance yesterday before the house of commons foreign affairs select committee, where he faced some awkward questions over his handling of the afghanistan crisis. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. could you tell me why you are confident of your numbers of those remaining in afghanistan now? one of the main criticisms levelled at dominic raab by mps yesterday was that he'd failed to focus enough on afghanistan and its neighbours during his time as foreign secretary. well, today he'll try to put that right. he'll begin a regional tour in qatar, where he'll hold talks with the emir and the country's foreign minister. the key issue will be the prospect

of persuading the taliban to reopen kabul airport and provide a route out for british nationals and afghans wishing to leave. the gulf state has close links to the taliban, which has a political office there, and has already begun discussions about how best to ensure security at the airport. we do need to be able to send clear and direct signals. we've done that for some time via their political commission which has been based in doha. we now have simon gass, the prime minister's special envoy in the region, to ensure that we can do that. we want to have as much continuity in our diplomatic presence as possible. that official, simon gass, has been meeting senior taliban leaders in qatar this week, and he will brief the foreign secretary on the outcome of those talks. with many afghans wishing to leave, mr raab will also hold talks in the region over how best to ensure safe passage through land borders such as pakistan, which is where he'll head to next on his tour. james landale, bbc news.

the headlines on bbc news... sarah storey has won her wins her 17th gold medal — to become britain's most successful paralympian of all time. new york declares a state of emergency as tropical storm ida brings record rainfall and flash flooding. there are reports of a number of deaths there. the foreign secretary goes to qatar for talks about persuading afghanistan's new rulers to re—open kabul airport — to allow the exit of british nationals and afghans. just to let you know we are expecting a news conference with the foreign secretary, dominic raab at around 9:45am. we will bring that to you when it happens. ministers have been urged to stop "hanging around" and launch a mass booster programme for covid vaccinations. the comments from the former health secretaryjeremy hunt come as pupils in england begin returning

to school, prompting fears that it could lead to a spike in infections. matt graveling reports. when you go outside, you need to sanitise your hands again. the first test of the new school year. it was better than i thought it would be, and it was quite nice that we got to do it ourselves, because then i felt more comfortable. pupils in england are returning to school, and regular covid swabs other the new normal. ——are the new normal. here in newquay, a coronavirus hotspot, pupils will need to wear masks in communal areas, but that isn't the case everywhere. rules around face coverings and social distancing have been relaxed, with head teachers deciding their own measures. we met yesterday as a leadership team and we took it upon ourselves quite confidently to make that decision in the best interests of our young people and our staff, and we're going to review that now almost on a weekly basis. scientists have warned that the reopening of schools will likely lead to a rise in infections. in scotland, where pupils

went back in mid—august, covid cases are at a record high, something first minister nicola sturgeon believes could be linked to a return to classrooms. now some big decisions lie ahead. the first is whether all over—12s should be offered a vaccine, something that the us, france, spain and italy are all doing. the second is around extra doses. while third doses are going to be offered to around half a million people with poor immune systems soon, it's not clear when the rest of the population will get them. in a tweet, former health secretary jeremy hunt said the clear lesson for the uk seems to be get on with boosterjabs, not just for the clinically vulnerable, but for everyone. health secretary sajid javid said the booster programme is on track to start later this month, subject to the green light from scientists. matt graveling, bbc news.

i'm nowjoined by our chief political correspondent adam fleming. morning. so the education secretary gavin williamson has been doing interviews this morning. what did he say about this issue about vaccinations for 12 to is—year—olds? ministers are treading very carefully here because they want to preserve the independence of the jcvi, the expert committee that will make the recommendation about booster jabs for the older population and initial vaccinations for 12 to is—year—olds. just because thatis for 12 to is—year—olds. just because that is the process and thejcvi, the god that quite jealously. i think ministers are also aware that if there seems to be any kind of political interference in the scientific advice, that might dissuade people from getting the vaccine. —— they guard that quite jealously. it is a bit delicate. but you do not need to be an expert in decoding political language to listen to the department for education, gavin williamson, who was

really keen for the jcvi to education, gavin williamson, who was really keen for thejcvi to make a decision and to recommend that young people get the vaccine. i think parents will find it deeply reassuring to have a choice of whether their children should have a vaccination or not. we wait for the decision ofjcvi. you can imagine that probably a lot of us are very keen to hear that and very much hope that we are in a position of being able to roll out vaccinations for those who are under the age of 16. and he was pressed, adam, on general issues of keeping schools safe? ventilation, monitors and classrooms, whether a lot of people have been calling for the government to say that masks should be mandatory again in schools. what more did he say when asked about the possibility of dealing with rising cases as we have seen happening in schools in scotland? the cases as we have seen happening in schools in scotland?— cases as we have seen happening in schools in scotland? the big message from gavin williamson _ schools in scotland? the big message from gavin williamson today - schools in scotland? the big message from gavin williamson today said - schools in scotland? the big message from gavin williamson today said he l from gavin williamson today said he wants school pupils in england who will go back now going back next

week, for their school experience to be as normal as possible. and so lots of the things that parents, teachers and pupils have become used to have been stripped away, no more bubbles, classes and year groups can mix much more freely now, pupils who get contacted as a contact of a positive case, it will not necessarily have to isolate any more and that will be done by test trust, nhs, ratherthan and that will be done by test trust, nhs, rather than the schools themselves. —— test and trace. others will disappear like staggered starting times, the ban on mixing at the school gates, everyone will be “p the school gates, everyone will be up to have lunch and break time together and assemblies will become normal again. things will feel much more normal. there are in the background, schools have been told that they have to have contingency plans, which could include reintroducing some of those things, like bringing back bubbles, the rule on a mask wearing overall has gone, but that is one of the tools that

schools are being told they have is that if they want to decipher the local directors of public health, that may be more students should work more masks in settings, there is something they should do —— could do. looming over all of this is the idea that they may have to be schools shut down locally, regionally, or maybe even nationally if a new variant comes along all the pandemic spirals out of control again. ministers cannot say they will never shut schools ever again, they can only promise to do as much as they can to avoid getting into that situation. this as they can to avoid getting into that situation.— that situation. as in, thank you. some of you _ that situation. as in, thank you. some of you have _ that situation. as in, thank you. some of you have been - that situation. as in, thank you. some of you have been getting | that situation. as in, thank you. | some of you have been getting in touch about this. colin scott has beenin touch about this. colin scott has been in touch on twitter, he says in a secondary head teacher, worried about keeping my school safe, no co2 monitor yet, about keeping my school safe, no co2 monitoryet, guidance about keeping my school safe, no co2 monitor yet, guidance remains confusing, i'm trying to make school normal again, confusing, i'm trying to make school normalagain, pupils confusing, i'm trying to make school normal again, pupils should be vaccinated, as he says, he says for his staff, families of staff and students as well. another from nathan drummond, but with schools going a different way, saying they

should be covid—i9 testing on the return to schools, all schools are doing that, staggered starts to prevent mixing between bubbles, mask wearing in the classroom and in communal areas. wearing in the classroom and in communalareas. i wearing in the classroom and in communal areas. i would love to know if you are a teacher, carer, parent, if you are a teacher, carer, parent, if you are back to school already, about to be back to school, with your children, then it get in touch. let me know what plans you are aware of in the school to try to deal with this, to prevent covid—i9 transmission. you can do that on twitter and use the hashtag bbc your questions. i will try to read out as many of your questions and comments as possible. 100 organisations have signed an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to scrap the planned cut to universal credit.

an extra 20 pounds a week was added to the benefit at the start of the pandemic, as a temporary measure. it's now being phased out from the end of this month. here's our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan. fresh fruit and veg might not seem a luxury, but for ron graham, too often they were a cost he couldn't afford. a failed business venture in 2016 left the 63—year—old relying on universal credit. until his benefit was increased by £20 a week at the start of the pandemic, such basics were beyond him. i would have to forego all this if the £20 a week was stopped. also i would have to cut back on other things that i was getting, even cleaning products, stuff for the house. ron, who's a keen walker, has long had to limit his heating to keep to his budget. i've only had the heating on in my flat three times since august 2016, so i'lljust put a dressing gown on and an extra jumper, or both. and basicallyjust get on with it. last week at bridlington beach in yorkshire, unite the union organised this sand sculpture to highlight their opposition

to the government's plan. today's open letter to the prime minister is signed by groups representing education, housing, the economy, health care and anti—poverty campaigners. we're facing a crossroads where the government faces a choice. it has said it is committed to improving the lives of people on the lowest incomes, but the depth of that commitment will be revealed this autumn when it decides whether or not to go ahead with this cut to the incomes of the poorest people in our country. ministers say the increase in benefit levels was always meant to be temporary, and that they're now focused on getting people into work. many of those on universal credit already have a job, but now face a £20 a week income cut from the end of this month unless the treasury relents. michael buchanan, bbc news. with me now is dr fran darlington—pollock, the manchester—based chair of the equality trust, one of the letter�*s signatories. thank you forjoining us today. many of the signatories to the letter

provide front line support, don't they, too committees around the uk. what are they saying about the impact, the removal of this £20 per week? ., �* ., ., ., week? you've heard some of it from the stories — week? you've heard some of it from the stories just _ week? you've heard some of it from the storiesjust in _ week? you've heard some of it from the storiesjust in that _ week? you've heard some of it from the storiesjust in that little - week? you've heard some of it from the storiesjust in that little clip - the stories just in that little clip then,in the stories just in that little clip then, in his removing a top up that was needed for assisting —— a system that was already insufficient. it is pushing working age families with children into poverty, trapping them in poverty, widening inequality. it is misleading to suggest that the reason not to do this is to focus on putting people into work, bringing people back into work we know that people back into work we know that people already working and do not have enough to survive on. so that is a key counterargument - have enough to survive on. so that is a key counterargument to - have enough to survive on. so that is a key counterargument to what i is a key counterargument to what the government are saying. you are saying that the signatories to this letter that many people getting credits, universal credit car, already working. the government says that the uplift to universal credit was temporary, to help through the economic shock and the financial uplift of the pandemic. more than £9

million will have been spent by the time it ends. it is right that economic support is wound down as we come out of this crisis and we focus on helping people back into work. that is the key statement from the government. what is a response to that? ., , , ., ., that? that suggest we need to do it comin: out that? that suggest we need to do it coming out of _ that? that suggest we need to do it coming out of the _ that? that suggest we need to do it coming out of the crisis. _ that? that suggest we need to do it coming out of the crisis. we - that? that suggest we need to do it coming out of the crisis. we are - coming out of the crisis. we are still in extraordinary and turbulent times, this is after a decade of freezers, public cuts, public services cuts, making and people on an uneven footing. they directly contradict the political agenda to level up, the government agenda to level up, the government agenda to level up, the government agenda to level up, to remove the lifeline while we are still in this crisis. more than that to not make it permanent, completely undermining the one —— wider agenda to build back better. we cannot do that if we have not got that. this is the biggest overnight cut we have seen since the birth of welfare state in britain, so that many people admire. we should not be getting rid of it, particularly if we have these agendas to level up and build back

better. six. agendas to level up and build back better. ,, , ., ., . ., 4, better. six conservative former work and pensions — better. six conservative former work and pensions secretary _ better. six conservative former work and pensions secretary is _ better. six conservative former work and pensions secretary is a - and pensions secretary is a post—removal of this £20 per week and have not managed to persuade the prime minister. do you think this letter can? i prime minister. do you think this letter can?— letter can? i think this letter shows and — letter can? i think this letter shows and l _ letter can? i think this letter shows and i think _ letter can? i think this letter shows and i think people - letter can? i think this letter - shows and i think people watching this should think really carefully about what they think their mps should do. the mps represent us and this country is the one being pushed into further poverty. inequality is not inevitable, this is something made by the people who represent us, they should listen to people and listen to the people who are suffering the most in the pandemic, in a very turbulent time even before that, and it should persuade them. he referenced the birth of the welfare state in your previous answer. if this £20 per week is removed, what does that say to you about the concept of social security in 2021? , ., , in 2021? the problem whether social securi is in 2021? the problem whether social security is we _ in 2021? the problem whether social security is we are _ in 2021? the problem whether social security is we are still _ in 2021? the problem whether social security is we are still modelling - security is we are still modelling it on this system that is built for a population that does not exist any more. we need to radically rethink

what we do and how we people, but removing urgently needed funds from the people who need it most is not the people who need it most is not the thing to do. we have this kind of contract, this position we're in, in government, vote them in, we pay the taxes for them, but they need to support the population, that should be there, and they should not we can a time like this.— a time like this. thank you for s-ueakin a time like this. thank you for speaking to — a time like this. thank you for speaking to us _ a time like this. thank you for speaking to us from _ a time like this. thank you for speaking to us from the - a time like this. thank you for. speaking to us from the equality trust. the us supreme court has refused to block a law banning most abortions in texas. the law — which came into force on tuesday — makes it illegal to terminate pregnancies after six weeks — even in cases of rape or incest. it's the most dramatic restriction so far to the roe versus wade judgment of 1973, which legalised abortion across the united states. our correspondent in washington, nomia iqbal, has more. this texas law basically allows any individual to sue those who help a woman get an abortion. the supreme court was asked

by pro—abortion rights groups and providers to block this law, but in a ruling, that was dominated by mainly conservative bench — they voted to keep it in place. the bench did not comment on the constitutionality of this law, which basically leaves it open for it to potentially be appealed, but experts are worried that other states could bring in similar laws, which would eliminate the guarantee of roe versus wade, which is, of course, the landmark ruling that legalised abortion across america in 1973. it is a huge milestone for lots of pro—life groups that exist in this country that have tried to roll back access to the procedure for many, many years. of course, a huge step back for women's rights groups who said that this is just going to push women into crossing state lines to get an abortion, it will affect those who are poor, it will affect minority women as well. in terms of the reaction of president biden, before the supreme court ruled to keep this law in place, he had commented

on his concern about it. he is a religious man, a devout catholic and in the past, he has said that he believes that life begins at the point of conception, but he has also said that he would not impose his view on anybody else. he has also said that this law is concerning and that his administration will do whatever it takes to protect the rights of women. have a look at the weather with carol. i was asking about gloomy skies yesterday, but i heard you this morning talking about some sunshine on the way! that is right! yes, for many of us today, it is going to be fairly cloudy, that cloud is thick again, from some spots of drizzle, also through east anglia and the midlands, but as annita said, across southern counties, we could see some sunshine, easy on the english channel, some sunshine in west wales, north—west england, parts of northern ireland and most of

scotland. in the highlands could we should maybe see temperatures of 23 or 2a degrees, but generally looking at 13-19. still or 2a degrees, but generally looking at 13—19. still breezy dallas north sea coastline, so feeling cooler. —— down at this north sea coastline. there will be some breaks in this cloud, where the temperatures are at their lowest, so single figures. in parts, but for most we are seeing in double figures, and we have seen some patchy rain coming in across shetland and some of drizzle out —— out of the thicket cloud. tomorrow, more of the same, some drizzle in wales and also the midlands, west is best in terms of sunshine, so western scotland, northern ireland, north—west england and also southern england. it won't be so much a breeze. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... sarah storey has won her wins her 17th gold medal —

to become britain's most successful paralympian of all time. the foreign secretary goes to qatar for talks about persuading afghanistan's new rulers to re—open kabul airport — to allow the exit of british nationals and afghans. as schools start a new academic year, the eduction secretary has urged the government's advisers to make a decision on covid vaccinations for 12 to 15—year—olds. and abba are set to make a comeback with the first new music from the swedish supergroup in almost four decades. and coming up — twitter launches a new feature that it hopes will help crack down on abuse and trolling.

sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mike bushell. mike, whata mike, what a wonderful story, no pun intended, to be reporting to bait today about dame sarah storey. phenomenal, isn't it? good morning. nearly 30 years after she won her first paralympic gold, aged just 1a, dame sarah storey has today become the most successful, british paralympian ever, with her 17th gold medal, overall and in two different sports too, swimming and then cycling. our sports reporter rachel latham, is in tokyo and can give us more details on this record breaking triumph. hi there, rachel. hello, yes, i mean sarah storey is an absolutely exceptional athlete. she started when she was 1a in 1992. she started when she was 1a in 1992. she didn't move to cycling from

swimming until 2007. she didn't move to cycling from swimming until2007. not she didn't move to cycling from swimming until 2007. not only has she won the 17 paralympic medals, she won the 17 paralympic medals, she has also won 29 world titles in her career. today was the 17th and in very different conditions what she prepared for. and before she came out here she was in the he chambers and getting ready for that someone coming down on her on the bike, but today it was a very different story for story. and we can hear from different story for story. and we can hearfrom her. i wasn't fussed about the forecast as we had trained for it, but it was 17 degrees. i had to wear a bears _ for it, but it was 17 degrees. i had to wear a bears -- _ for it, but it was 17 degrees. i had to wear a bears -- much - for it, but it was 17 degrees. i had to wear a bears -- much mag - for it, but it was 17 degrees. i had to wear a bears —— much mag base layer— to wear a bears —— much mag base layer and _ to wear a bears —— much mag base layer and we — to wear a bears —— much mag base layer and we are asking for heat packs. — layer and we are asking for heat packs. but — layer and we are asking for heat packs, but yes, it was brilliant weather — packs, but yes, it was brilliant weather to be trying to hurl around corners _ weather to be trying to hurl around corners and — weather to be trying to hurl around corners and try to do the best you could~ _ corners and try to do the best you could~ it _ corners and try to do the best you could. it still feels a bit of an out of— could. it still feels a bit of an out of body experience, it's like you're _ out of body experience, it's like you're watching somebody else go through— you're watching somebody else go through that. it is very, very hard to put— through that. it is very, very hard to put into — through that. it is very, very hard to put into words. i have work at this for— to put into words. i have work at this for such _ to put into words. i have work at this for such a long time, but i

have _ this for such a long time, but i have worked for each race independently so now having finished all three. _ independently so now having finished all three. i_ independently so now having finished all three, i am like independently so now having finished allthree, lam like i'm independently so now having finished all three, i am like i'm finished, independently so now having finished allthree, lam like i'm finished, i am going— allthree, lam like i'm finished, i am going home tomorrow and i will be at home _ am going home tomorrow and i will be at home tomorrow evening. it's very strange _ at home tomorrow evening. it's very strange and — at home tomorrow evening. it's very strange and i'm hoping that over the course _ strange and i'm hoping that over the course of— strange and i'm hoping that over the course of the next few hours and the next day _ course of the next few hours and the next day before i got home it starts to sink— next day before i got home it starts to sink in _ next day before i got home it starts to sink in i— next day before i got home it starts to sink in. i have had so many messages _ to sink in. i have had so many messages and i'm trying desperately hard to— messages and i'm trying desperately hard to reply to them all as quickly as i hard to reply to them all as quickly as t can _ hard to reply to them all as quickly as i can because it is incredibly overwhelming.— as i can because it is incredibly overwhelming. as i can because it is incredibly overwhelmina. ~ ., ., , overwhelming. wonderful to see her return home — overwhelming. wonderful to see her return home tomorrow. _ overwhelming. wonderful to see her return home tomorrow. won - overwhelming. wonderful to see her return home tomorrow. won a - overwhelming. wonderful to see her return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was — return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was also _ return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was also one _ return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was also one in _ return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was also one in the _ return home tomorrow. won a silver medal was also one in the same - return home tomorrow. won a silver| medal was also one in the same race for gb and she has one her second medal and after horatio announced her retirement. sticking to the cycling, ben watson grabbed gold and that's his second paralympic medal of these gains. it's his paralympic debut and since so many people have been asking that how gb does so well

in the olympics, and ben watson is a prime example of how. basically a lot of talent id days are done and he was invited to one of those and british cycling decided that he was worth the time and effort to put in and the effort from ben watson today showed that clearly everything that they are doing four paralympics gb paid off with him getting gold on the road as well in the cycling. and we have also had the swimming finals and nine athletes went in the heat this morning and converted to the finals tonight. already we have seen the 400 metres freestyle heats and ellie simmonds was disqualified and we will hear about why, but i can tell you that there are still races to come for great britain in the pool to come for great britain in the pool. the 100 metres backstroke in the s 14 backs —— my class and we will have two athletes going for

gold. will have two athletes going for old. . ~ will have two athletes going for old. ., ~' ,, will have two athletes going for .old, ., ~' away from the paralympics, but to another history maker, and cristiano ronaldo has now become the highest goal scorer ever, in men's international football thanks to his brace in portugal's dramaic win over the republic of ireland, in a world cup qualifier. he may now be 36, but his athleticism, belies his age. the way he can still outjump defenders. manchester united fans will love watching this, the way he scored his 110th international goal to equalise, after the irish, had taken a shock lead. that goal saw him go ahead of ali daei, who scored 109 goals for iran. and hejumped again to power in the winner deep into injury time to break irish hearts and to hand portugal all three points. scotland need to recover and get points from their next two matches against moldova and austria after their dreams of reaching the world cup in qatar, next year, were dealt a blow, beaten 2—0 by denmark. the scots were up against it anyway, with a weakened squad due to covid—19 reasons and injury, but conceding two goals, in as many minutes, early on,

meant their task became all but impossible, and although they improved they never recovered from this double blow, it means scotland are now fourth in group f, seven points behind the danes, who lead the way. england, are back in action tonight for theirfirst match since the euro 2020 final. they're taking on hungary in budapest. england top their group, but know things won't be easy against a team who held both france and germany to draws at the euros. northern ireland are away to lithuania. now despite a toe injury, dan evans is through to the third round, of the us open. the british number one beat american marcos giron in four sets. he'd flown out of the blocks taking the first set 6—4, before taking the second on a tie—break. then evans rolled on a toe and the american hit back to take the third, but a short time out, evans recovered to win the fourth set, and book his place in the third round, when he'll face

australia's alexei popy—rin. tammy beaumont hit a brilliant 97, as england's women thrashed new zealand by 46 runs, in their first t—20 international at chelmsford. england were put in to bat and they never looked back. beaumont leading the charge as they reached 184—4 from their 20 overs. and england were too good with the ball. bowling the visitors all out forjust 138. the second game in the three—match series is on saturday at hove. and as for england's men, this morning, they start the fourth test against inida, at the oval, with the five match series, tied at one all. that's all the sport for now. a busy day for you. thank you very much. let me update you on this news conference we are expecting with the foreign secretary at his —— and his qatari counterpart. that was we were told due to be at 945, but we think that would be a little bit later at 10:15am. we have received these pictures of mr rab in qatar and he will speak with his counterparts

there about how to help british nationals and afghans who are trying to leave afghanistan and he will also be briefed on talks with uk officials and the taliban. expect that news conference and briefing at ten 15 am. since the taliban's takeover of afghanistan, the uk has evacuated 8,000 afghans from the country — with the final flight leaving last saturday. now the government has the task of accommodating those who have arrived. today the housing secretary is meeting with local government bosses to discuss how this can be done. jamal barak was an afghan interpreter for the british army who left afghanistan in 2015 and moved to coventry. hejoins me now. thank you forjoining us on bbc news today. tell us first of all a little bit about your work with the british army. bit about your work with the british arm . . ~ bit about your work with the british arm . ., ,, , ., ,

bit about your work with the british arm . . ~ ,, , ., ~' bit about your work with the british arm. ., , ., ~ bit about your work with the british arm. ., ,, , ., ~ ., army. thank you. yes, i worked as a military interpreter _ army. thank you. yes, i worked as a military interpreter for _ army. thank you. yes, i worked as a military interpreter for the _ army. thank you. yes, i worked as a military interpreter for the british . military interpreter for the british army from 2007 until 2015 in helmand province. so, yes, iworked on army from 2007 until 2015 in helmand province. so, yes, i worked on the front line with the british troops and then after that when i got shot in 2010 and we were moved to the afghan headquarter,. i in 2010 and we were moved to the afghan headquarter,.— afghan headquarter,. i believe it was this incident, _ afghan headquarter,. i believe it was this incident, in _ afghan headquarter,. i believe it was this incident, in fact - afghan headquarter,. i believe it was this incident, in fact you - afghan headquarter,. i believe it. was this incident, in fact you were shot at twice i understand, that prompted you to leave afghanistan when the opportunity presented itself. , ., , ., , when the opportunity presented itself. , ., , ., itself. yes, it was a rest for the interpreters _ itself. yes, it was a rest for the interpreters who _ itself. yes, it was a rest for the interpreters who worked - itself. yes, it was a rest for the interpreters who worked for - itself. yes, it was a rest for the | interpreters who worked for the british army, so i was the main reason and i was taken by the british armed forces and i came to this country, which i am much safer now. , ., ., i. this country, which i am much safer now. , ., , this country, which i am much safer now. , ., ., i. , ., now. tell us about how you build a new life in — now. tell us about how you build a new life in the _ now. tell us about how you build a new life in the uk _ now. tell us about how you build a new life in the uk and _ now. tell us about how you build a new life in the uk and what - now. tell us about how you build a new life in the uk and what sort i now. tell us about how you build a new life in the uk and what sort ofj new life in the uk and what sort of help did you receive to do that.

there's been some big changes to my life when i came in 2015. i have had enough help from the british army. when we came first, they gave us a house, they supported us, in a financial way as well, and so we started a new life. it's good that we are now back in the uk and safe and not being in the afghanistan and killed by the taliban. you and not being in the afghanistan and killed by the taliban.— killed by the taliban. you must be worried about _ killed by the taliban. you must be worried about people _ killed by the taliban. you must be worried about people in _ killed by the taliban. you must be i worried about people in afghanistan, interpreters among them who have not been able to get out and family. i understand your father and three brothers were supposed to leave, but their attempts to get on a flight, well, they were unsuccessful. tell me how they are doing.— me how they are doing. yes, absolutely- _ me how they are doing. yes, absolutely. in _ me how they are doing. yes, absolutely. in afghanistan i me how they are doing. yes, | absolutely. in afghanistan we me how they are doing. 1a: absolutely. in afghanistan we have more than 1000 afghan interpreters and other staff and they have all been given eligibility and they were all at the airport for days and

waiting for evacuation and to be evacuated to come to the uk and i can give you a good example. on the 23rd of august, the defence secretary had told my father to leave helmand province and come to kabul and as soon as they arrived on the 24th, my father was there for a few days waiting at the entrance to be evacuated, but unfortunately he hadn't made it because of the checkpoints of the taliban. at the moment, they are hiding in kabul, notjust my family, but all afghan interpreters they are incredibly hopeless at the moment. x�*t�*aur interpreters they are incredibly hopeless at the moment. your family left their family _ hopeless at the moment. your family left their family in _ hopeless at the moment. your family left their family in helmand, - hopeless at the moment. your family left their family in helmand, came i left theirfamily in helmand, came to kabul in the understanding that we get on a flight but they haven't been able to do that and are now in hiding. are you able to communicate

with them, perhaps not on a daily basis, but are you able to speak to them fairly frequently? yes. basis, but are you able to speak to them fairly frequently?— them fairly frequently? yes. i try m best them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all _ them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all the _ them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all the time _ them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all the time to _ them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all the time to get i them fairly frequently? yes. i try my best all the time to get in i my best all the time to get in touch with them but it is really difficult in kabul because they can't get out of the house. it's difficult for them as they don't have internet, food and everything, so they feel really scared to go outside. we have already given a massive sacrifice to the british government because of ourjob. iron in touch with them sometimes but not all the time. jamal, we wish your father and brothers well and that they stay safe and thank you very much for sharing your experiences with us. jamal was a former interpreter for the british army in afghanistan. two groups representing nhs organisations say patients would be left at risk and services might have to be cut, if the government doesn't raise the nhs england budget by £10 billion next year. the nhs confederation and nhs

providers say the funding boost is required to cover covid care, and cut the backlog of postponed operations and treatment. the government says it's committed to making sure the nhs had everything it needed to provide excellent care while tackling backlogs. with me now is matthew taylor, the chief executive of the nhs confederation. matthew, thank you for your time this morning. the government is saying it has committed to making sure you have everything you need. you say that requires £10 billion. has the government said its going to give you any additional money? we have give you any additional money? - have been reading this week suggests that the government says 5 billion rather than ten billion and it is our responsibility having surveyed our responsibility having surveyed our members to be clear about what the consequences of our —— of us getting the money that we need will be. the government has fully

supported the work that has been necessary during covid, but one thing we all know is firstly, covid has not gone away and it is continuing to be there and there are over 7000 patients in hospital, we have to do infection control, ppe and we have long covid to deal with and we have long covid to deal with and we have the issue of the rising demand for mental health services. covid has not gone away and so we need to continue to fund the demands created by it. and secondly, we know and the secretary of state is underlined that we have this enormous backlog of people who didn't go to the doctor, weren't able to go to the hospital during covid. if we're going to dress those two issues, the ongoing cost of covid and dealing with this immense backlog, unprecedented waiting lists which are going to grow, we need that £10 billion. if we don't, we are going to have a longer waiting lists and we are going to have a growing problem of meeting the demand which exists in all parts of the health service.—

the health service. which services are most under— the health service. which services are most under threat _ the health service. which services are most under threat in - the health service. which services are most under threat in your i are most under threat in your opinion? i are most under threat in your oinion? ~' , ., , are most under threat in your oinion? ~ , ., , ., opinion? i think the story of the nhs is clear— opinion? i think the story of the nhs is clear that _ opinion? i think the story of the nhs is clear that there - opinion? i think the story of the nhs is clear that there is - opinion? i think the story of the i nhs is clear that there is pressure everywhere. if you talk to gps, they talk about unprecedented levels of demand, ambulance services, mental health services, community services. this is partly because of the effect that covid has had on us and partly because of the fact that people have not been seeking treatment and support and now they are starting to do so because restrictions have been removed. we have talked to the confederation of the fact that even though we are, we are coming out of the summer, it feels like we're in the summer, it feels like we're in the middle of a winter crisis. that is the kind of pressure we are under. systems cannot work on hot indefinitely. you have to move to a sustainable position and we want a sustainable position and we want a sustainable position. we need this £10 billion. on the positive side, there is immense potentialfor digital technology and we saw that during covid from advances in

medical science, you just yesterday heard about new treatments in terms of cholesterol, so we need to take advantage of those opportunities and we need this funding.— we need this funding. matthew ta lor, we need this funding. matthew taylor. thank _ we need this funding. matthew taylor, thank you _ we need this funding. matthew taylor, thank you very - we need this funding. matthew taylor, thank you very much i we need this funding. matthew| taylor, thank you very much for we need this funding. matthew- taylor, thank you very much for your time today. let's return now to the torrential weather on the east coast of the us. in the last hour we've heard that six people have died in torrential rain, floods and tornadoes. two of the deaths happened in newjersey, and four in new york city. a state of emergency has been declared by the mayor of new york city because of flash flooding. george bailey lives in the city. hejoins me now. george, thank you for talking to us in the middle of this. describe exactly where you are in new york city and what the situation is around you right now. i'm from queens, which is in the east of the city so i am not in the skyscraper area,

east of the city so i am not in the skyscraperarea, but east of the city so i am not in the skyscraper area, but no matter where you are in new york it is wet. i can see the storm drains outside on the end of my block, and water was shooting out of them like a fountain, it's pretty bad. tote shooting out of them like a fountain, it's pretty bad. we have seen some _ fountain, it's pretty bad. we have seen some incredible, _ fountain, it's pretty bad. we have seen some incredible, awfully i seen some incredible, awfully incredible pictures of the situation, subways flooded and so on. and we're showing our viewers now picture of your street. we can see some cars on the left of the picture, partially submerged in the water. have you ever seen anything like this before? hat water. have you ever seen anything like this before?— like this before? not even close. not even kind _ like this before? not even close. not even kind of— like this before? not even close. not even kind of close, - like this before? not even close. not even kind of close, not i like this before? not even close. not even kind of close, not even | not even kind of close, not even during hurricane sandy, i was super surprised. we got the flood warning and whatnot but within, i started hearing gurgling out of our shower drain and within 15 minutes my floor was under 15 foot of water. you have

sent us some _ was under 15 foot of water. you have sent us some pictures _ was under 15 foot of water. you have sent us some pictures and _ was under 15 foot of water. you have sent us some pictures and we - was under 15 foot of water. you have sent us some pictures and we are i was under 15 foot of water. you have l sent us some pictures and we are now seeing a table and chairs and what looks like a rug which has been lifted by the water. trainers floating in the water. give us a sense of what the damages throughout the house. we can obviously in this picture that there is going to be substantial damage. yes picture that there is going to be substantial damage.— picture that there is going to be substantial damage. yes i can't even imauine. substantial damage. yes i can't even imagine. brand-new— substantial damage. yes i can't even imagine. brand-new washing - substantial damage. yes i can't even l imagine. brand-new washing machine imagine. brand—new washing machine and dryer, they are sitting on a foot of water now. the refrigerator is sitting in a water boiler. plus although the walls, it's not going to be fun to deal with. stand although the walls, it's not going to be fun to deal with.— to be fun to deal with. and was there any _ to be fun to deal with. and was there any kind _ to be fun to deal with. and was there any kind of _ to be fun to deal with. and was there any kind of sense - to be fun to deal with. and was there any kind of sense that i to be fun to deal with. and was| there any kind of sense that the city might be in dangerfrom there any kind of sense that the city might be in danger from flash flooding? i city might be in danger from flash floodin: ? ., , ., ~ ., city might be in danger from flash floodin: ? . ,, ~ ., . , flooding? i mean, you know, the city sends out alerts _ flooding? i mean, you know, the city sends out alerts in _ flooding? i mean, you know, the city sends out alerts in text _

flooding? i mean, you know, the city sends out alerts in text messages i sends out alerts in text messages but i have gotten those for a mild thunderstorm. and sometimes it doesn't feel as pressing, but this one was very much a case, pretty severe. , ., , ., ., ., ., ., severe. george, you are managing to look and sound — severe. george, you are managing to look and sound pretty _ severe. george, you are managing to look and sound pretty cheery, - look and sound pretty cheery, despite what has happened. the pictures that we are seeing from right around new york are really horrendous, so what steps do you think, as an individual, you're going to try to take now to clean up? what help might be available to citizens to help clean up their homes and their neighbourhoods? i hope there would be some help. maybe i'm a little delusional right now because i was able to spend the last

four or five hours and because i was able to spend the last four orfive hours and draining the water out of the house with one telling gallon bucket at a time. —— matt ten gallon bucket. i’m telling gallon bucket at a time. -- matt ten gallon bucket.— telling gallon bucket at a time. -- matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little ha: card. matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little haggard- thank— matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little haggard. thank you _ matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little haggard. thank you so _ matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little haggard. thank you so much i matt ten gallon bucket. i'm a little haggard. thank you so much for i haggard. thank you so much for talking to us. good luck with the clear up operation and clean up and we do appreciate you talking to us here on bbc news. take care. george in queens in new york. new figures show a fall in the number of suicides in the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic in england and wales, compared to the previous year. data from the office for national statistics show 1,603 deaths by suicide were recorded between april and july 2020. it's the first official data for the first few months of lockdown measures. joining me now is leonie stokes, volunteer call handler at suicide prevention bristol.

leone, thank you forjoining us today on bbc news. well, the numbers that we have just had from the ons, they are down, but i know that in your work as a call handler during the pandemic, you started during the pandemic, many people who have been ringing the helpline have talked about the pandemic and lockdown as being perhaps part of the reason why they are feeling suicidal. absolutely. obviously it's great news that the numbers have gone down but it is certainly not what i have experienced personally by working, as you say, as a call handler. i think a high number of calls that i took or have taken have been people that are isolated, whether they are students that have come over to study in the uk or in a location thatis study in the uk or in a location that is not their home location,

they have just had no support network. you have a lot of elderly people, single people that have really struggled during the pandemic when they couldn't see people. so it's been very tough, i think, for a lot of people. it's been very tough, i think, for a lot of people-— it's been very tough, i think, for a lot of people. and i also understand that a lot of — lot of people. and i also understand that a lot of people _ lot of people. and i also understand that a lot of people under— lot of people. and i also understand that a lot of people under financial i that a lot of people under financial strain is having perhaps lostjobs or having no income or substantial income. that has been a big issue for callers as well.— for callers as well. yes, definitely. _ for callers as well. yes, definitely. when - for callers as well. yes, definitely. when a i for callers as well. yes, definitely. when a job i for callers as well. yes, | definitely. when a job is for callers as well. yes, _ definitely. when a job is suspended and people are on furlough or they have lost their jobs and people are on furlough or they have lost theirjobs and they see no way out. because there is no opportunity to get different employment, so it has been very hard for people. bud employment, so it has been very hard for --eole. �* ., , for people. and tell me a little bit more about _ for people. and tell me a little bit more about the _ for people. and tell me a little bit more about the charity _ for people. and tell me a little bit more about the charity suicide i more about the charity suicide prevention bristol and the support line that you run and the other work that you do to try to help people who have suicidal thoughts. absolutely, we are a charity that is

bristol—based, although our telephone support line is a national support line. we aim to help anybody who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. we operate a 20 four sevenths support line, as i mentioned, and that is all manned by volunteers. 24 —— 24—7. we have a social media presence and sometimes people reach out to us that way. and within the bristol area, we also operate a patrol, where we have a number of vehicles that travel around to known hotspots in bristol where our patrol team that they will engage with people, talk to people, offer support. we look at all sorts offer support. we look at all sorts of different areas. we go to multistorey car parks come around the sea walls, bridges and just engage with people so they know that

we are here and that there is an alternative and we can help them get the help and support that they need. and obviously we talk about pressure on the nhs, including mental health services, and sometimes people haven't been able to access the help that they might want as readily as they would otherwise. what is your message today to someone who is having suicidal thoughts and two per haps —— men who perhaps hasn't spoken to anybody else about those? i think the most important thing is to reach out and speak to someone. you don't have to be on your own. there are charities like us, and we will always find time to speak to people. it's the most important thing. we provide a listening service. if people have friends, family, if they want to speak to

their gp, all of these are options and obviously, call us, never be on your own. call us and we will do our very best to help and support you. thank you very much forjoining us. volunteer call handler at suicide prevention bristol. and if you are affected by anything we are discussing you can find information at... the time is 9:57am. let's look at... the time is 9:57am. let's look at the weather forecast. good morning everyone. today once again it is going to be a fairly cloudy day, particularly so across england and wales and that cloud thick enough for some drizzle across east anglia and the midlands. but there is sunshine in the forecast. like the last few days, it's primarily going to be in the north—west, but we will see this cloud break across southern areas. you can see the extent of the cloud cover we have at the moment and so it's in the

western highlands and parts of scotland that we see the sunshine and parts of northern ireland and north—west england. but we expect more sunshine to develop and that cloud to break and especially across central and southern scotland, north—west england, north west wales and southern areas. and also breezy in the english channel but here in the channel islands we are looking at a day. the breeze is strong in that east coast but it will feel cooler if you are here. we hang onto the cloud into the afternoon, breaking in parts and some of us will see a few lenses of sunshine but more as we come into northern england, scotland and northern parts of northern ireland. temperatures today getting up in the highlands in that sunshine to about 23 or maybe 24 degrees. down the east coast will be 16-19 24 degrees. down the east coast will be 16—19 but generally we are looking at 19—21. as we had overnight we see a lot of clout and there will be some breaks in this cloud and under the clear skies temperatures, especially in rural areas, will follow into single figures. the cloud is still thick

enough of a drizzle and by the end of the night, we will see patchy rain arriving in shetland. into tomorrow, a lot of clout around once again. it will be thick enough for drizzle and especially in wales and the midlands but it will not be all the midlands but it will not be all the time and we won't all see it. but breaking across the south and it will allow sunshine to come through and similarly in north—west england and similarly in north—west england and western parts of scotland. our temperatures will be 14 — 22 degrees and the breeze will not be so noticeable. into saturday a lot of cloud around. less of a breeze again but still sunshine with a few showers here and there. more especially in western areas and temperatures responding accordingly. we are looking at highs on saturday getting up to 23 degrees. and it will be 19 in glasgow. then there is a slight change to the weather forecast on sunday because the weather front is coming in faster than we thought and so it will bring rain in across north—west scotland and also into northern ireland and for south staying dry.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. at least six people have died as a result of flash floods in new york city and the state of newjersey.— new york the state of newjersey. new york declares a state of emergency. the uk foreign secretary goes to qatar for talks about persuading afghanistan's new rulers to re— open kabul airport — to allow the exit of british nationals and afghans. this is a seen live in doha, we expect to hear from this is a seen live in doha, we expect to hearfrom dominic raab in the next few minutes, we will bring you that life. critics — including presidentjoe biden — condemn a new law in texas — banning abortion from as early as six weeks.

as schools start a new academic year, the uk eduction secretary