here's our wales correspondent, hywel griffith.not quite ripping up the rules but from today, life in wales is far less limited. social distancing is no longer written into law. no need to count how many people meet indoors. facemasks are still mandatory in shops and most indoor spaces, something emma says she can live with. i think it's quite a good idea, really, because there's still quite a lot of vulnerable people. i don't like wearing them but it's just something we've all had to do, really, isn't it? for the manager here, it's about keeping customers confident. they can't afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, gently to complete normality. it isn't going to happen overnight but we do need to build our trade up because since we've reopened, we're only taking about 60% of what we took in 2019. while there's obvious relief at ending some of the restrictions people have had to live with for almost a year and a half, there's already some nervousness about the months ahead. the welsh government has warned that the rise of

here's our wales correspondent, hywel griffith.s not quite ripping up the rules but from today, life in wales is far less limited. social distancing is no longer written into law. no need to count how many people meet indoors. facemasks are still mandatory in shops and most indoor spaces, something emma says she can live with. i think it's quite a good idea, really, because there's still quite a lot of vulnerable people. i don't like wearing them but it's just something we've all had to do, really, isn't it? for the manager here, it's about keeping customers confident. they can't afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, gently to complete normality. it isn't going to happen overnight but we do need to build our trade up because since we've reopened, we're only taking about 60% of what we took in 2019. while there's obvious relief at ending some of the restrictions people have had to live with for almost a year and a half, there's already some nervousness about the months ahead. the welsh government has warned that the rise o

hywel griffith, bbc news, maesteg.es and there were more than 28,500 new infections, in the latest 24—hour period. that makes an average of nearly 27,000 new cases per day, over the last 7 days. so the longer term trend remains slightly down. 103 deaths were recorded in the last 2a hours. that's an average of 90 a day, in the past week. nearly 89 percent of adults in the uk have had theirfirstjab — and more than 7a percent, are now fully vaccinated. the headlines on bbc news... the us and britain warn their remaining citizens in afghanistan to leave as the taliban continue their advance, seizing a second provincial capital. the end of most coronavirus restrictions in wales — no more limits on meeting indoors, plus an end to rules on social distancing. and it's gold medal number 20 for team gb — asjoe choong takes top spot in the men's modern pentathlon let's return to our top story — the deteriorating situation in afghanistan. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams says that even though the military situation may not

hywel griffith, bbc news, maesteg.ussia — only to end up being killed by a cat. the tiny female pipistrelle bat, like the one pictured here, was discovered in a small russian village by a resident who noticed it had a ring with �*london zoo' written on. the bat had been ringed in 2016 near heathrow airport. its epicjourney is of huge interest to scientists studying the creatures in the uk. broadcaster and wildlife expert tom hird says there's a huge amount we can learn from bats. (sot) you're talking about an animal that really, a chunky one might be five centimetres. it's a long way, and across the north sea as well. it's an incredible effort from such a small mammal. bats are pretty hardy creatures. here in the uk we have 18 species of bats, and apart from taking a bit of a break overwinter, they've got to get out there, they've got to get out there and feed. so they can withstand a bit of wind. they can withstand a bit of rain, because they're just, they're so tough. they really are olympians. if you watch bats in t

here's hywel griffith.r less limited. social distancing is no longer written into law. no need to count how many people meet indoors. facemasks are still mandatory in shops and most indoor spaces, something emma says she can live with. i think it's quite a good idea, really, because there's still quite a lot of vulnerable people. i don't like wearing them but it's just something we've all had to do, really, isn't it? for the manager here, it's about keeping customers confident. they can't afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, gently to complete normality. it isn't going to happen overnight but we do need to build our trade up because since we've reopened, we're only taking about 60% of what we took in 2019. while there's obvious relief at ending some of the restrictions people have had to live with for almost a year and a half, there's already some nervousness about the months ahead. the welsh government has warned that the rise of another coronavirus variant could yet mean having to reimpose some

hywel griffith, bbc news, maesteg.y ferry in greece, as firefighters continue to battle an unprecedented outbreak of wildfires. let's stay with that now. a little earlier, bethany gave my colleague lukwesa burak an update from the island of evia. welcome we are in the hills of the island of evia, and as you can see the fire behind me is still raging out of control. the sky is full of smoke, and as you can see there's ash floating through the air almost like snowflakes. the authorities are doing their best, they say, to try and, the flames but this is an extremely difficult thing. they are helped for the moment by the fact that the wind has died down, but as you can see the blazes behind me are threatening the houses in this area and they are getting closer to this island's second—largest municipality. bethany, it's interesting that you are on an island, they have same resources as the mainland greece to fight those fires? well, many of the inhabitants here have been complaining that they really have not been given the

hywel griffith, bbc news, maesteg.kok. the demonstrators are calling for political reforms and changes to the monarchy. they're also angry at the thai government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. as jonathan head reports. these protests are not yet on the scale of last year's mass rallies. but they are no less determined. pushing once again for the government to resign and for the lavish funds spent on the military monarchy to be diverted instead to fighting the covid pandemic. the police walled off the prime minister's home and much of bangkok's royal quarter. they push the protesters back with volleys of tear gas. a now familiar confrontation we are seeing each weekend despite the government's declaration that such gatherings are strictly forbidden. the grievances that fired up thailand's youth last year have not gone away. if anything, the government's botched vaccine rollout combined with the rapid spread of the delta variant overwhelming hospitals and morgues in a country that largely contained the virus las

hywel griffith reports from bridgend. year old was a happy, friendly little boy. neighbours say he was always smiling. he used to visit ian and jasmine's garden. they remember him being full of laughter. always a smile on his face, laughing, giggling. every time he walked past... just can't believe it. didn't have a bad bone in his body. just shocked, the community's shocked. everybody's shocked by the sadness of the loss of logan. itjust makes you want to hold your children so tight and not let them... not let them go. he was a five—year—old lad, you know. divers have been searching the riverbed where his body was found. the police were first called early on saturday, after reports that logan was missing. he was found here, shortly afterwards. then on sunday night, detectives announced that his death was being treated as a murder — arresting a 39—year—old man, a 30—year—old woman and a 13—year—old boy, who all remain in custody. this house, around 100 metres from the river, has become the centre of the police investigati

the bbc�*s hywel griffith in rather misty weather.mediterranean. and actually, as we head towards the weekend, some of that extreme heat is going to shift its attention further west across to spain, for us, however, we've got an area of low pressure into the northwest. you keep some sunshine, you'll see temperatures pretty much but that low will continue to bring some blustery winds and squally showers to northern ireland and western scotland. of the weather with 24 celsius, 75 fahrenheit by thursday afternoon. moving out of thursday into friday, we've still got that low with us, and it's going to slowly drift its way steadily eastwards. recently, it's going to be more of a north—south divide, further south of that, it will be a largely dry story, and despite a little more in the way of cloud, outdoor plans for the start of the weekend. but in the sunniest weather and the driest weather once again, 22, 72 degrees. it looks likely that the low will slowly drift off into scandinavia, gradually allowing this high pressure to build, but s

hywel griffith reports from bridgend.s smiling. he used to visit ian and jasmine's garden. they remember him being full of laughter. always a smile on his face, laughing, giggling. every time he walked past... just can't believe it. didn't have a bad bone in his body. just shocked, the community's shocked. everybody's shocked by the sadness of the loss of logan. itjust makes you want to hold your children so tight and not let them... not let them go. he was a five—year—old lad, you know. divers have been searching the riverbed where his body was found. the police were first called early on saturday, after reports that logan was missing. he was found here, shortly afterwards. then on sunday night, detectives announced that his death was being treated as a murder — arresting a 39—year—old man, a 30—year—old woman and a 13—year—old boy, who all remain in custody. this house, around 100 metres from the river, has become the centre of the police investigation. forensic teams have been moving in and out all day, while other off

hywel griffith, bbc news, maesteg.two people are known to have died and at least 20 others have been injured. greece, like many parts of europe, has been grappling with extreme weather this summer. widespread flooding and colder than average temperatures in central europe and now baking hot weather in the south. our europe correspondent, bethany bell, reports from athens. greece is in the grip of an emergency. wildfires have been blazing out of control for days. the extreme heat means these forests near athens are like a tinderbox. helicopters keep returning here to try and put out this fire but it isn't working yet. this is the main north—south motorway near athens but it's been closed for two days because of all the fires around here and the strong scorching winds aren't helping. as the fire spreads down the hillside, people are frightened for their houses. panicked screams. in athens, their screams for help as the flames grow closer. people are desperately trying to put out the fires in any way they can. thousands o

our correspondent, hywel griffith, is outside the senedd — the welsh parliament — in cardiff.hout legal limits on their numbers. there is no longer a legal requirement to socially distance. changes that happened in england three weeks ago. the welsh covenant has asked people to be cautious. still seeing if they can meet outdoors and keep their distance and work from home, to carry on doing so for now. also, the rules on facemasks are largely staying the same. only in venues such as bars and cafe is b mask free. and people who have been doubly vaccinated and the under 18—year—olds no longer to sell isolated that our self—isolate. to northern ireland, where a 32—year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, after the death of a two year old girl in dungannon, county tyrone. it's understood the child died in hospital after an ambulance attended an address at park avenue in the town yesterday afternoon. the 32—year—old man remains in custody. families of the victims of the september 11 attacks in america are among those calling on president biden not to attend this year's

our correspondent hywel griffith is at the scene in sarn. hywel, over to you. people have been bringing cards, teddy bears, flowers to lay beside the scene where he was found. the police were first called at 5:a5am on saturday morning, initially a report of a missing child, but very quickly when they came here they found his body in the ogmore riverjust behind those trees. he was taken to hospital but sadly nothing could be done to save him. now, this story took an even more tragic turn yesterday when it was announced that three people had been arrested on suspicion of murder. a39—year—old, a 30—year—old and a 13—year—old boy as well. they haven't been named but i understand the police have released another five or six hours to question them and may be able to extend that time of questioning. people we have spoken to here this morning in sarn are clearly shocked by these developments and talk of logan as a happy, smiling, confident little boy, they were familiar with seeing him walking around the streets here and no one can really understand how this event woul

easing of restrictions since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. 0ur wales correspondent, hywel griffitho actually mean? ~ , ., , mean? well, it is a hugely significant _ mean? well, it is a hugely significant step, _ mean? well, it is a hugely significant step, if- mean? well, it is a hugely significant step, if not - mean? well, it is a hugely significant step, if not the | significant step, if not the terminus date of this very long journey we have been on in wales. more significantly may the rules on social distancing and limits on people meeting indoors will end on saturday, so friends and family can meet in each other�*s homes unrestricted. people can drink at the bar once again. changes made in england three weeks ago which the welsh government held back from until now. however, there will be changes coming in wales ahead of other parts of the uk. the rules on self—isolation will change on saturday, which means children and adults who have had a double dose of the vaccine will no longer have to self—isolate if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive. so the

hywel griffith is at cardiff magistrates�* court.triggered a major police investigation which included arrests on sunday evening, and then very late last night, charges were brought. the main charge a murder charge against 39—year—old john cole from the area where logan lived. he appeared in cardiff magistrates�* court this morning for a very brief hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name and his age, he did not say anything else, he was wearing a grey top, and the magistrates kept him in custody to appear at... i do apologise. _ custody to appear at... i do apologise, clearly - custody to appear at... i do apologise, clearly we - custody to appear at... i do apologise, clearly we have lost the connection entirely, apologies for that. sports direct founder mike ashley is to step down as head of his retail business, with his future son—in—law set to become chief executive. mike ashley will remain executive director at frasers group, which includes house of fraser, evans cycles, jack wills and game. the company�*s profits dropped by

our correspondent hywel griffith, is in cardiff.? well, the welsh government has never had a freedom day and its diary, its approach throughout the last 17 months has been super cautious, some would say, slower than other administrations. and while the case rates here have been lower in the vaccination rates have been higher than other uk nations for a few months, even tomorrow's big change comes with a significant health warning. this pandemic is still far from over. month after month of measure after measure. finally the time has come in wales for life almost without limits. from tomorrow, this restaurant can go back to full capacity. here, facemasks won't be mandatory, but carmine thinks it might take a while for his customers to feel comfortable with the old ways. people, they've lost their confidence, how to approach somebody else and may talk, shake their hand. something that, you know, they have been forbidden for so long. wales is moving to alert level zero, but that doesn't equal zero restrictions. masks will still be neede

here's our wales correspondent, hywel griffith.great deal of caution from mark drakeford, the welsh first minister. he has warned that this pandemic could yet take some twists i don't like wearing them but it is something we have all had to do. for the manager here it is about keeping customers confident that they cannot afford to take risks. we customers confident that they cannot afford to take risks.— afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, _ afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, gently _ afford to take risks. we need to move steadily, gently to - afford to take risks. we need to i move steadily, gently to complete normality and it won't happen overnight. but we do need to build our trade up because since we have reopened, we are only taking about 60% of what we did in 2019. reopened, we are only taking about 6096 of what we did in 2019.- 6096 of what we did in 2019. where there is obvious _ 6096 of what we did in 2019. where there is obvious relief _ 6096 of what we did in 2019. where there is obvious relief a

five—year—old's body was found in a river near bridgend last saturday. 0ur wales correspondent hywel griffithase. it started in the early hours of saturday morning when they received calls about a missing child, shortly afterwards, they found five—year—old logan's body in the 0gmore river. by sunday, it had changed into a murder investigation with the arrest of three people, and today, those three appeared before magistrates in cardiff. the first of them was john magistrates in cardiff. the first of them wasjohn cole, logan's stepfather, accused of his murder, the 39—year—old only spoke to confirm his name and address. he has also been accused of perverting the course ofjustice alongside logan's mother, angharad williams and command a 13—year—old boy we cannot name because of his age. all three have been kept in custody and they will be appearing before a judge at the crown court tomorrow. this latest of element has brought shock to people in the town. all week we have seen some of logan's classmates and parents in tears, bringing teddies and flowers to the place where he was found, and there

our correspondent hywel griffith is outside the senedd — the welsh parliament — in cardiff.eans it is a day for staying indoors and, from today, the people of wales can do that without any limits on numbers, be it in private homes, or pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants, and there is no longer a legal requirement to socially distance, changes which happened in england three weeks ago. the welsh government has urged people to be cautious are still saying, they can meet outdoors and keep their distance and work from home, to carry on doing so for now. also the rules on facemasks are staying the same, and only in hospitality venues like bars and cafes can people be mask free. our service also resumes in those venues, and one of the key change at the end of the temperamental, people have been vaccinated no longer to self—isolate if they have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive. let's take a look at some of today's other news. planes and helicopters carrying water are trying to halt the spread of wildfires across greece. the country is suffering its worst heatwave

joining me now is our wales correspondent hywel griffith.hough. yes, absolutely. alert _ first minister, though. yes, absolutely. alert level i first minister, though. yes, absolutely. alert level zero | first minister, though. 1a: absolutely. alert level zero doesn't mean zero restrictions and comes with a great deal of caution from mark drake fruit. he has warned that this pandemic could yet take some twists and turns, and other variants could even see some measures being returned, so rather than seeing todayis returned, so rather than seeing today is any kind of charming estates, it is more the last lap and easing restrictions. that is not to say that people would be making use of those freedoms today. families allowed to mix and each other�*s is unrestricted for the first time, night clubs opening for the first time. we spoke to some owners of a tandy last night, they only took it over a couple of weeks before the pandemic started, they spent a lot of money then closed the door for 17 months. also a big day across to other parts of the c

let's speak to our wales correspondent, hywel griffith. so, what difference will this make?herwise i would be showing this glorious coastline. out there somewhere, the sheep that gets a grave on samphire and sea lavender. that is what gives the salt some of its flavour. what makes these lambs are unique and worthy of special status? we makes these lambs are unique and worthy of special status?— makes these lambs are unique and worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area _ worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on _ worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the _ worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the march. - worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the march. therej wonderful area on the march. there are so— wonderful area on the march. there are so many— wonderful area on the march. there are so many unique herbs and grasses that grow— are so many unique herbs and grasses that grow there. lambs are out there for most _ that grow there. lambs are out there for most of— that grow there. lambs are out there for mo

our wales correspondent hywel griffith explained that despite the loosening of measures, the first ministert minister. he has warned that this pandemic could yet take some twists and turns. another variant could even see some measures being returned, so rather than seeing today as any kind of freedom day or terminus date, it is more the last lap in easing restrictions. now, that is not to say that people won't be making use of those freedoms today. families allowed to mix in each other�*s homes, unrestricted for the first time. as you mentioned, night clubs opening for the first time. we were filming in one venue in cardiff last night. the owners only took it over a couple of weeks before lockdown. they spent all their money on their branding and marketing and doing the place up, only to shut their doors for 17 months, so tonight promises to be a very, very big night for them. also a big day across the other part of the city, the cardiff city stadium, so for the first time football crowds can fill stadiums to capacity, although every business that operates now has to do some kind of risk as

hywel griffith is at the scene in sarn near bridgend.old man. the police investigation continued all around us, divers in the rivers, forensic teams, they've extended their crime scene at the riverbank. at a nearby property we have seen forensic teams again going in and out of the house looking for evidence, clearly there is an active investigation and those three people remain in custody. what three people remain in custody. what more are they — three people remain in custody. what more are they hoping that they will be able to learn from the public? at the weekend it initially it was reported as a boy who had gone missing. reported as a boy who had gone missinu. . reported as a boy who had gone missinu. , . ., , missing. yes, the police initially said they were _ missing. yes, the police initially said they were keeping - missing. yes, the police initially said they were keeping an - missing. yes, the police initially said they were keeping an open | missing. yes, the police initially - said they were keeping an open mind as to the cau

our wales correspondent hywel griffiths has been at the scene.n saturday morning after reports he was missing. sadly within minutes they discovered his body in the river bed in the trees behind me. however, over the course of the investigation, police decided that this was a murder investigation, having arrested, as you said, a 39—year—old man, a 30—year—old woman and a 13—year—old boy. of the day, while people have paid tribute, investigations have continued all around us. divers in the river, forensic teams have extended the crime scene up the river bank and about 100 metres away from here at a property nearby, we have seen forensic teams again in white suits going in and out of the house. welcome back. the us says it's ready to take in thousands more afghans who may become taliban targets because of their links with the american military or diplomats. the us has withdrawn its ground forces from afghanistan. as a result, the taliban is making gains across the country. around 20,000 afghans have already applied under a programme for interpreters

our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, has more.e, sorrel and sea lavender. that is what gives the salt marsh lamb on the gower coast its unique flavour. someone who can tell us far more about it is will pritchard, the farmer here. what makes these lambs unique and worthy of special status? we have a wonderful area on the march. there are so many unique herbs and grasses that grow there. lambs are out there for most of the year. they eat these herbs, it goes into them and the flavour it gives our lambs is absolutely spectacular. what practical difference does this status give you? after all, it only applies within great britain and not beyond in europe. it could be massive for us, in fairness. we have got to expect an increase in demand. it's wonderful publicity for an incredible product. in terms of export, at the moment you are a small—scale supplier, you are not looking to export to the eu. who actually buys your produce? we have people coming here. but most of what we do at the minute is people online all over the uk, going on t

our correspondent hywel griffith is at the scene in sarn and has sent this update.first called at 5:a5am on saturday morning, initially the report of a missing child. very quickly when they came here, they found his body in the ogmore river, just behind those trees. he was taken to hospital but sadly nothing could be done to save him. this story took an even more tragic turn yesterday when it was announced that three people had been arrested on suspicion of murder, a 39—year—old, a 30—year—old and a 13—year—old boy. they haven't been named but i understand the police have at least another five or six hours to question them and they may be able to extend that time of questioning. people we've spoken to here this morning in sarn are clearly shocked by these developments. they talk of logan is a happy, smiling, confident little boy. they were familiar with seeing him walking around the streets here and no one can really understand how this event would have happened. we have seen police divers in the river, just 100 metres away from me, such a property nearby to the riv

. ~ ., , ., hywel griffith is in cardiff.entries at the a o*r a __ border. 29% of entries at the a o*r a —— at border. 29% of entries at the a o*r a -- at a* border. 29% of entries at the a o*r a —— at a* or a. border. 29% of entries at the a o*r a —— at a* ora. of border. 29% of entries at the a o*r a —— at a* or a. of course there is a discussion about grade inflation and how well these grades will stand the test of time in future because of course next year plan at the moment is for the class of 2022 to sit exams once again. there is a debate over the longer term changes and make regular changes from september 2022 and some say the idea of sending children into rows of tables in schools is old—fashioned. it is very much down to how they depend on the day. perhaps teacher assessment should be a greater part of it in wales. the person in charge of it in wales. the person in charge of qualification says no, exams should stay because it prepares children for later life. the welsh government says the main focus should be congra

speak to our correspondenst across the uk — in a moment we will speak to chris page in lurgan, hywel griffithc, two out of every five entrants achieving the top marks. this is the largest education cleaning centre in the country and i was chatting to some students who were seeing this is a difficult year for us, we have been through a torment that people in previous years have not been but unlike some colleges and schools because this was discretionary there have been exams that we used to assess whether or not the teachers estimates of marks were correct. we'lljust take a quick look at some of the figures. 44 appointed percent achieving those top marks of a* our age, competing top marks of a* our age, competing to 13.5% across england, wales and northern ireland last year. —— 38.5% there is a 75% gap of those achieving a* and a grades there is a 75% gap of those achieving a*and a grades but there is a 75% gap of those achieving a* and a grades but the union say it is comparing apples and oranges because no years before it have experienced the lockdown is and strategies this half. no to my co