the government says 2000 dogs were reported stolen last year, but it says current theft laws are not strong enough, so it's introducing a new offence of pet theft. we think that this has been a growing problem, often with organised gangs behind it. often when the police do bring prosecutions, they find there is other criminality linked to it. that is why we want to strengthen the law in this area. these stolen puppies were put up for sale from a car boot. prices rose sharply during the pandemic. hazel was just ten months old when she was stolen from becky taylor last summer. becky put up posters everywhere, from west sussex to ireland. incredibly, after 11 months, an anonymous tip—off has just led to hazel�*s return. i saw her coming up the road and i thought, i know that dog, it's my hazel. and then she crawled into my arms

and we had to drive someone safer and then i could cuddle her. yeah. the thieves had cut out hazel�*s microchip. becky says she's not sure a new pet theft law would make her dog safer. it's only as good as those that follow it through. if the police don't act and then don't prosecute, then there is no point in having a new law. britain has about ten million dogs and owners say it is now time to treat them as more than just property. duncan kennedy, bbc news. time tojoin samira ahmed time to join samira ahmed for newswatch. hello and welcome to newswatch. hello and welcome to newswatch with me samira ahmed. coming upjournalists in afghanistan have been working in very difficult circumstances but has the bbc done enough to help its former staff leave the country? and what happened

to local news reports over breakfast over the summer? welcome back to newswatch. and like the traditional august news low the past month has seen journalist being confronted with major international crisis as us forces pulled out of afghanistan and the taliban to took control of the country. it's led to some powerful and emotional broadcasting. foreign nationals and some afghans are being evacuated. the huge crowds gathered after rumours even those without geezers could travel. 0utside without geezers could travel. outside the airport even more chaos. 0utside the airport even more chaos. tele— outside the airport even more chaos. tele— band members firing in the air to assert their authority, trying to keep keep control. it’s to assert their authority, trying to keep keep control.— to assert their authority, trying to keep keep control. it's now the 31st of au . ust keep keep control. it's now the 31st of august in — keep keep control. it's now the 31st of august in afghanistan, _ keep keep control. it's now the 31st of august in afghanistan, the - keep keep control. it's now the 31st of august in afghanistan, the day i of august in afghanistan, the day there presidentjoe biden said the american military mission, the 20

year engagement by us—led nato forces formally and. and this is what you are hearing now. the eruption of soul look like celebratory gunfire by taliban supporters in the city of kabul. help? supporters in the city of kabul. new watch viewers _ supporters in the city of kabul. new watch viewers have been paying tribute to the work of bbc staff making report such as those with up with brian price awarding top marks to circle and took her money for his broadcast to afghanistan. and in the view of andrew south...

some viewers have expressed concern for the safety of those staff and also for that of afghan journalists who work for the bbc in the past. a group of the latter are still hiding from the taliban in kabul and they have excused a corporation and the uk government of ignoring the pleas for help. in response the bbc stresses that it says it was making every possible effort to get both current and former staff out of the country. but that it can only work within the permitted government frameworks. a bbc spokesperson said...

that statement didn't satisfy this caller to our phone line. i believe that the corporations _ caller to our phone line. i believe that the corporations official - that the corporations official response is ethically let's say, highly questionable and troubling. so i am leaving this message in support of the call for help by ex—bbcjournalists support of the call for help by ex—bbc journalists and support of the call for help by ex—bbcjournalists and presenters. ex—bbc journalists and presenters. the ex—bbcjournalists and presenters. the bbc does have a response ability for its x employees in the situation.— for its x employees in the situation. ., _ ., ., ., situation. now occupying a lot of air time over _ situation. now occupying a lot of air time over the _ situation. now occupying a lot of air time over the summer - situation. now occupying a lot of air time over the summer was i situation. now occupying a lot of air time over the summer was a | situation. now occupying a lot of. air time over the summer was a tale of geronimo the alpaca who twice tested positive for tuberculosis and was ordered to be euthanized to stop the spread of the disease. for some this was a classic silly season

story hiked talked to fill sparse running orders. for others it was a significant legal injustice and accrual infringement of animal rights. 0n accrual infringement of animal rights. on tuesday the row of geronimo state was resolved once and for all. i geronimo state was resolved once and for all. ., ., , , ., geronimo state was resolved once and for all. ., ., , i. ,., for all. i want to bring you some breakin: for all. i want to bring you some breaking news _ for all. i want to bring you some breaking news jacinta _ for all. i want to bring you some breaking news jacinta was - for all. i want to bring you some breaking news jacinta was on . for all. i want to bring you some - breaking news jacinta was on the bbc breaking news jacinta was on the bbc that geronimo the alpaca so that alpaca has been killed. that news after a court ordered destruction warrant was carried out following the animal twice testing positive for bovine tuberculosis.- for bovine tuberculosis. some viewers objected _ for bovine tuberculosis. some viewers objected to _ for bovine tuberculosis. some viewers objected to the - for bovine tuberculosis. some viewers objected to the termsj for bovine tuberculosis. some - viewers objected to the terms used bear and the headlines with this view asking... 0ther viewers were concerned that some of the footage shown on the news at six and the website was unnecessarily upsetting. kirsten

french wondered... but when almost 30,000 cattle a year a put—down after contracting the same disease was one alpaca his death a significant news event worthy of breaking news alert on the bbc news app? andrew thought not. what's the most popular news bulletin on uk television? you may be surprised to learn that it's the early evening regional news on bbc want. but recent cuts made the bbc�*s local and regional budgets have led some to question the corporations commitment to those services. take the local news, traffic and weather

summary shown twice an hour during practice untiljuly when they disappeared. hundreds of viewers complained to the bbc and on social media. and two of them joined me now. 30 and for manchester and martin from plymouth. thank you both for coming on newswatch. i want to ask when both of you noticed for the first time that the regional news wasn't on, vivian ist. first time that the regional news wasn't on, vivian 1st.— first time that the regional news wasn't on, vivian 1st. through the covera . e wasn't on, vivian 1st. through the coverage of— wasn't on, vivian 1st. through the coverage of the _ wasn't on, vivian 1st. through the coverage of the olympics - wasn't on, vivian 1st. through the coverage of the olympics which i coverage of the olympics which didn't worry me particularly because that was something different and was important. but when it didn't come back on the week following the coverage of the olympics and then not for the week after, that's when i contacted you.— not for the week after, that's when i contacted you. what about for you martin, wendy _ i contacted you. what about for you martin, wendy to _ i contacted you. what about for you martin, wendy to become - i contacted you. what about for you martin, wendy to become a - i contacted you. what about for you | martin, wendy to become a concern you? martin, wendy to become a concern ou? ., , ., . you? the same, really. i noticed that there was _ you? the same, really. i noticed that there was no _ you? the same, really. i noticed that there was no local- you? the same, really. i noticed

that there was no local bulletin i that there was no local bulletin during — that there was no local bulletin during the olympics coverage. and then as _ during the olympics coverage. and then as soon as the normal bbc breakfast — then as soon as the normal bbc breakfast came back i noticed pretty much _ breakfast came back i noticed pretty much from _ breakfast came back i noticed pretty much from date one that from six oflock— much from date one that from six o'clock i_ much from date one that from six o'clock i watch as per normal, and when _ o'clock i watch as per normal, and when we _ o'clock i watch as per normal, and when we have our game and i thought, that's a _ when we have our game and i thought, that's a hit_ when we have our game and i thought, that's a bit odd. i thought it mighi've _ that's a bit odd. i thought it might've been a technical issue and of course _ might've been a technical issue and of course there was no second bulletin — of course there was no second bulletin. then i thought this is odd that it _ bulletin. then i thought this is odd that it is _ bulletin. then i thought this is odd that it is not come back after the olympics — that it is not come back after the gi mics. ., ., ., , olympics. could i ask what it is about those — olympics. could i ask what it is about those regional _ olympics. could i ask what it is| about those regional somebody olympics. could i ask what it is - about those regional somebody the the morning that is so important that you missed? i5 the morning that is so important that you missed?— that you missed? is everything, reall . that you missed? is everything, really- it's _ that you missed? is everything, really. it's the _ that you missed? is everything, really. it's the local _ that you missed? is everything, really. it's the local news, - that you missed? is everything, really. it's the local news, local| really. it's the local news, local views, — really. it's the local news, local views, events, the travel in particular— views, events, the travel in particular because i commute. so i'm going _ particular because i commute. so i'm going to _ particular because i commute. so i'm going to work every morning and i like to— going to work every morning and i like to know what the traffic is going — like to know what the traffic is going to — like to know what the traffic is going to be like. i know there are other— going to be like. i know there are other ways — going to be like. i know there are other ways you can access local news but when _ other ways you can access local news but when you enjoy watching bbc breakfast every morning and the local— breakfast every morning and the local news is an important part of that, _ local news is an important part of that, as _ local news is an important part of that, as you — local news is an important part of that, as you say, every half—hour, when _ that, as you say, every half—hour, when it's— that, as you say, every half—hour, when it's not— that, as you say, every half—hour, when it's not that you really notice not there —

when it's not that you really notice not there. so when it's not that you really notice not there. ., ,~' . . not there. so we did ask bbc management _ not there. so we did ask bbc management of _ not there. so we did ask bbc management of our - not there. so we did ask bbc| management of our interview not there. so we did ask bbc - management of our interview about why it's been for so long and this is the statement that we've got because no one is available for an interview. this is a statement from bbc england who made the decision about summaries on practice. what do you both think of the reasons given for that statement? it's nice to know that now. but of course _ it's nice to know that now. but of course at — it's nice to know that now. but of course at the time when it just wasn't — course at the time when it just wasn't there it was like it or disappeared, it wasjust wasn't there it was like it or disappeared, it was just strange that there was no mention of it. it was almost — that there was no mention of it. it was almost like it wasn't important. i was almost like it wasn't important. i know— was almost like it wasn't important. i know that — was almost like it wasn't important. i know that when i switched over to

the other— i know that when i switched over to the other side they are still doing local news— the other side they are still doing local news bulletins at breakfast and in _ local news bulletins at breakfast and in the evening as well. but not wanting _ and in the evening as well. but not wanting to — and in the evening as well. but not wanting to be interested in winning a caravan _ wanting to be interested in winning a caravan or— wanting to be interested in winning a caravan or anything, i don't want to watch— a caravan or anything, i don't want to watch the — a caravan or anything, i don't want to watch the other. . a caravan or anything, i don't want to watch the other.— a caravan or anything, i don't want to watch the other.- welll a caravan or anything, i don't wantj to watch the other.- well i to watch the other. . vivian. well i thou~ht it to watch the other. . vivian. well i thought it was _ to watch the other. . vivian. well i thought it was to _ to watch the other. . vivian. well i thought it was to save _ to watch the other. . vivian. well i thought it was to save money - to watch the other. . vivian. well i thought it was to save money but l thought it was to save money but they have assured us it's not bad. and i would accept their assurance and hope that there will be able to bring it back as soon as possible. just so you know, that was the bbc�*s position injuly just so you know, that was the bbc�*s position in july and just so you know, that was the bbc�*s position injuly and that just so you know, that was the bbc�*s position in july and that statement held. they now told us that the regional morning bulletins are coming back next week. i wonder if you both think the bbc undervalues local news, perhaps?— local news, perhaps? vivian. yes, i definitely think _ local news, perhaps? vivian. yes, i definitely think they _ local news, perhaps? vivian. yes, i definitely think they undervalue - local news, perhaps? vivian. yes, i definitely think they undervalue it. | definitely think they undervalue it. the evening programme is usually very good. it gives quite a wide coverage. but apart from that, we

don't get an awful lot of news. the lunch time one is quite often shortened a bit. if there's something more important nationally then you perhaps only get about ten minutes at lunchtime.— minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are our minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are your thoughts _ minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are your thoughts on _ minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are your thoughts on how— minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are your thoughts on how far - minutes at lunchtime. martin, what are your thoughts on how far the i minutes at lunchtime. martin, what i are your thoughts on how far the bbc as a corporation values and appreciates the importance of regional tv news? i appreciates the importance of regional tv news?— appreciates the importance of regional tv news? i hope that the bbc values _ regional tv news? i hope that the bbc values local _ regional tv news? i hope that the bbc values local and _ regional tv news? i hope that the bbc values local and regional - regional tv news? i hope that the | bbc values local and regional news was up _ bbc values local and regional news was up an— bbc values local and regional news was up an excellent bulletin spotlight here in the southwest. and they do— spotlight here in the southwest. and they do in— spotlight here in the southwest. and they do in amazing job. and recently with what's— they do in amazing job. and recently with what's been going on with plymouth with the shootings have been incredible. and locally on radio— been incredible. and locally on radio has— been incredible. and locally on radio has been amazing. it would be a shame _ radio has been amazing. it would be a shame if— radio has been amazing. it would be a shame if there were more cutbacks and we _ a shame if there were more cutbacks and we lost _ a shame if there were more cutbacks and we lost so much more of that important — and we lost so much more of that important local import. because it is important to know what's going on locally~ _ is important to know what's going on locally i_ is important to know what's going on locally. i know this so much going

on nationally and internationally but locally it is right on your own doorsteu — but locally it is right on your own doorstep. and everybody needs to know _ doorstep. and everybody needs to know what's going on on their own doorsteu — know what's going on on their own doorsteu i— know what's going on on their own doorstep. i really hope those bulletins to come back. and that there _ bulletins to come back. and that there is— bulletins to come back. and that there is more investment in local news _ there is more investment in local news because it is so important. martin— news because it is so important. martin and — news because it is so important. martin and vivian thank you both so much. thank you for all your comments this week. if you want to share your opinions on bbc news and current affairs or even appear on the program. do e—mail us. 0r current affairs or even appear on the program. do e—mail us. or you can find us on twitter. you can call us. and you have a look at previous discussions on our website. that's all for now will back to hear about bbc news coverage again next week. bye—bye. hello. gradual changes under way with our weather this weekend as it turns warmer and a bit brighter in england and wales by sunday.

same time by then, scotland and northern ireland with a chance of rain. until sunday, it's pretty much as you were, and that means plenty of cloud, as there will be as we get into tonight, and some drizzly rain possible from the thickest cloud. low cloud sitting on the hills giving foggy conditions and some patches of fog possible where we have clear spells, too, towards wales and south west england. temperatures for the most part holding up into double figures. and then into tomorrow, well, the best of any sunny spells will be in wales, southern england, especially south west england. a few in northern and northern scotland. plenty of cloud again elsewhere, the chance of some drizzly rain. the flow of air coming in from the north sea towards the coast of eastern scotland and north east england. here, we'll keep temperatures into around about the mid—teens, whereas elsewhere, its upper teens close to 20 and temperatures a little bit higher where you do get to see some sunshine. that's it for now. bye— bye.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. gunfire is heard is kabul with an announcement of the taliban's new line—up expected imminently. the government's complexion, though, is already becoming clear. the taliban have told decorators to paint over all of this, replacing it with these black—and—white slogans. this one reads, "the blood of the martyrs has washed away the occupation," a glimpse of what the new afghanistan is going to look like. fighting continues in the panjshir valley in afghanistan, where the taliban say they've made further gains. president biden arrives in the us state of louisiana, where hurricane ida left massive destruction. he's expected to warn about the impact of climate change. and a sharp slowdown in job creation

in the us as the spread of the delta variant hits hospitality and leisure.