alex forsyth, bbc news. alex forsyth, bbc news.rom our chief international correspondent lyse doucet who's in kabul now. growing pressure for this deadline to be extended to allow more people out of afghanistan, how realistic a prospect is that?— prospect is that? what is in joe biden prospect is that? what is in joe iiriden had's _ prospect is that? what is in joe biden had's now, _ prospect is that? what is in joe biden had's now, the _ prospect is that? what is in joe - biden had's now, the president and commander—in—chief of the united states, is under constant pressure, constant criticism, and yet every time he comes on air and takes questions, he sticks by his decisions. this is a man were when he was senator and vice president and now as president he believes afghanistan is a quagmire, he believes american troops should come home and long ago. but how can he ignore? we have heard in this programme that the british, the french, the germans, the italians, so many countries are begging the united states, just give us more time.

the bbc's political correspondent alex forsyth reports.ing in a place of safety, this past week there's been a scramble to evacuate brits and afghans who worked with them, planes drafted in to get people out, but could more have been done? >> there he comes. reporter: the foreign secretary seen heading to downing street yesterday has been under pressure. >> are you to resign? reporter: bt calling his afghan counterpart last week about translators who had helped foreign forces. tonight, the prime minister sai- >> the whole of the government has bee working virtually around the clock, to do what we can and to make sure that we get as many people back as possible. reporter: so how did events unfold? last friday, he was advised to call the afghan foreign minister. he was on holiday in crete. he said theall was delegated to a foreign minister because he was prioritizing security at the airport, overseeing the crisis response. on saturday, the taliban reached the outskirts of kabul. the foreign secretary was still on holiday. by now, no call was

alex forsyth, bbc news, westminster. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come.able and endangered species — kenya conducts its first ever wildlife census. washington, the world's most political city is today assessing the political health of the world's most powerful man. indeed i did have a relationship with miss lewinsky that was not appropriate. in fact, it was wrong. in south africa, 97 people have been killed today on one of the worst days of violence between rival black groups. over the last ten days, 500 have died. czechoslovakia must be free. russia is observing a national day of mourning for the 118 sub—mariners who died on board the kursk. we are all with them now, in our hearts. the pope has celebrated mass in front of a congregation of more than 2.5 million people in his hometown of krakow. "stay with us, stay with us," chanted this ocean of humanity. "well, well," joked the pope, "so you want me to desert rome?" this is news, the latest headlines... president biden says the us has made clear to the taliban that any attack on the afghan evacuation mi

alex forsyth, bbc news. of our reporting on afghanistan by going to our website. there's a live page with all the latest developments, including this piece on the afghan resistance group who are holed up in the panjshir valley area and vowing to fight the taliban. many other pieces as well. one on how afghan�*s media is changing already under taliban rule. go to the bbc news website to find out more. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. we meet india's rising para—badminton star — as she prepares to make her debut, at the paralympics in tokyo. he's the first african—american to win the presidential nomination of a major party. and he accepts exactly 45 years ago to the day, that martin luther king declared "i have a dream". as darkness falls tonight, and unfamiliar light will appear in the southeastern sky. an orange glowing disc that's brighter than anything save the moon, our neighbouring planet mars. there is no doubt that this election is an important milestone in the birth of east timor as the world

alex forsyth, bbc news, westminster. since a powerful earthquake hit southwest haiti, and there are still some areas that have yet to receive any help whatsoever. more than 2000 people are known to have died. an estimated 135—thousand families have been displaced. our correspondent, james clayton, reports now from the small town of les anglais, where an entire parish is in mourning. to get to the small town of les anglais, you have to take the coastal road. the town is two hours from les cayes, and the road snakes through earthquake—scarred villages and even through a river. this is what's left of the town's church. a mass christening was about to begin just before the earthquake struck. the church had been filling up with people. dafica had woken up excited. her daughter was one of the dozens of children to be christened that day. translation: the church already had a lot of people inside, - so i was looking for a good place to sit. i put my bag down and just as i was about to sit down, the earthquake struck. everyone s

alex forsyth, bbc news, halifax. let's go back to our reporter in kabul.afghanistan and how the taliban are going to govern? there is still a sense _ taliban are going to govern? there is still a sense of— taliban are going to govern? there is still a sense of shock _ taliban are going to govern? there is still a sense of shock amongst i is still a sense of shock amongst many of the people i speak to. no one expected things to unravel quite as quickly as they did. two weeks ago the taliban didn't control a single major city. now, they are in control of the whole country. it is difficult to overstate how pervasive their presence in kabul is. i was walking along the street in the centre of the city earlier, there was a fighter strolling casually along with the rocket propelled grenade launcher on his back. the taliban's biggest challenges begin now, in many ways. now they have captured the country, how will they reconcile the hardline sharia law with the more democratic part of the country which has been developed over the past two decades. we have seenin ov

alex forsyth, bbc news. let's speak to our north america editorjon sopel.ly unbound and he ointed the tonight. completely unbound and he pointed the finger— tonight. completely unbound and he pointed the finger at _ tonight. completely unbound and he pointed the finger at afghan - tonight. completely unbound and he pointed the finger at afghan forces. | pointed the finger at afghan forces. he presented it as a binary choice, we stay or go, he couldn't form some kind of peacekeeping role in between. joe biden has felt the full rath of the policy establishment in washington. the military top brass have been opposing what he has been trying to do. full wrath. republicans and democrats have been critical. joe biden has said that whilst people may be critical of the implementation of the policy, the policy itself is the right one. a majority of americans support bringing the troops home but it is a mighty big bet he's making. if any terrorist attack were to happen where people might say, there is a line between the pull out of us forces emboldening the taliban a

alex forsyth, bbc news, surrey.r their most successful games ever. they've brought back a record haul of eight medals and were reunited with their families at heathrow airport this evening, as eleanor roper reports. this is the most successful swimming team in british olympic history. today returning to london heathrow, their bags a little heavier than when they left. adam peaty reunited with his son george as he looks to take a well—earned break from the pool. probably three months, three months at least, which is a very, very long time in terms of sport and and swimming especially, because you lose a feel for the water after, like, three days. so, sport is one of those ones where it's a 365—24—7, so the amount of pressure firstly, but also the amount ofjust... ..the kind of self—talk, you know? if you do one thing wrong, is that going to affect your whole day? so, the mental kind of well—being is more important than ever. adam peaty is the double olympic champion! fantastic... belief — that's what peaty credits fo

alex forsyth, bbc news.g on afghanistan by going to our website. there's a live page with all the latest developments, including this piece on the afghan resistance group who are holed up in the panjshir valley area and vowing to fight the taliban. go to the bbc news website to find out more. there is an interesting piece as to who is managing the operations around kabul airport as well. have a look of the website. let's get some of the day's other news. israeli warplanes have launched strikes for a second night in gaza, in the latest escalation of tension after weekend border clashes. no casualties have been reported from the raids, which follow saturday's hostilities, when israeli troops fired at palestinian protesters at the border, claiming some had thrown explosives and tried to scale the wall. the president of tunisia has extended the suspension of parliament and parliamentary immunity until further notice. kais saied assumed executive authority last month in a surprise move that his opponents labeled

alex forsyth, bbc news, westminster.d that the stabbing of two people in south london last year by a convicted terrorist, may have been prevented. sudesh amman, who was 20, was freed just days before the attack in streatham, and the jury concluded he could have been sent back to prison, after buying items he used to make a fake suicide belt. amman was eventually shot dead by armed police. here's our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford. sudesh amman leaving his probation hostel, a hoax suicide belt under his jacket concealed by his bag. 35 minutes later, armed surveillance officers had to shoot him dead outside boots. this ain't real. witnesses couldn't believe their eyes as police cleared the area. amman died before they established that the suicide belt was fake. the police had real concerns about this attacker. both in relation to his extremist mindset and also what he may do on his release from prison. it's for this reason that they were in the right place at the right time to intervene and stop this becoming

alex forsyth, bbc news, greater manchester.ay to finalise a two year deal with paris saint—germain. it's one of the biggest transfers in recent memory — 0ur sports correspondent katie gornall reports. chanting. he was dressed a bit like a tourist. but this was no ordinary day—tripper. lionel messi, one of the game's greatest players had arrived at a french airport ready to sign for paris saint—germain. fans, some of whom had been waiting for days, could barely contain themselves. i watched him play in barcelona and how he acted and how he plays with his team—mates and how he finds ways to play the ball is just amazing. and his goals, his free kicks, everything, it's just amazing. he is the best player. translation: today is an historic day, the biggest player— on the planet is here in the capital. i'm not going to stay in my neighbourhood, i have to be here. for argentina and for his club, messi has always been a class apart. brilliant from lionel messi. that's what you expect of him. at barcelona he scored a staggering 672 goa

alex forsyth, bbc news, westminster.estjury has found that the stabbing of two people in south london last year by a convicted terrorist may have been prevented. sudesh amman, who was 20, was freed just days before the attacks in streatham, and the jury concluded he could have been recalled to prison, after buying items he used to make a fake suicide belt. amman was eventually shot dead by armed police. here's our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. sudesh amman leaving his probation hostel, a hoax suicide belt under his jacket, concealed by his bag. 35 minutes later, armed surveillance officers had to shoot him dead outside boots. man: this ain't real. witnesses couldn't believe their eyes as police cleared the area. amman died before they established that the suicide belt was fake. police had real concerns about this attacker, both in relation to his extremist mindset and also what he may do on his release from prison. it's for this reason that they were in the right place at the right time to intervene and sto

alex forsyth, bbc news. 0ur north america editor, jon sopel, is at the white house.hnson spoke this evening — did that conversation change anything? yeah, well, on the august to the sist yeah, well, on the august to the 31st deadline for american troops to pull out, we have had a readout from downing street, a readout from the white house, a briefing from the national security adviser, the pentagon and the state department. the more they have spoken, it feels the less they have said, because it is still very unclear what us intentions are. they say they are taking it on a day by day basis. i think the clear desire is that us troops should pull out on august the sist, troops should pull out on august the 31st, but of course that is dependent on the taliban, and we have also heard from administration sources, comments along the lines that they believe the taliban will allow flights to continue after the august to 31st deadline, but how reassuring is that going to be if you are one of the people that needs to get out, if you are american, british, french or german, oryo

alex forsyth, bbc news, halifax.under kermani who's there. you have watched this country as closely as anyone. i wonder what your take is today on the situation now. ~ ., y ' your take is today on the situation now. ~ ., , , , , now. well, two very different seeds in kabul. now. well, two very different seeds in kabul- at — now. well, two very different seeds in kabul. at the _ now. well, two very different seeds in kabul. at the airport, _ now. well, two very different seeds in kabul. at the airport, utter- in kabul. at the airport, utter chaos. i saw taliban members firing into the airand chaos. i saw taliban members firing into the air and beating people with sticks, trying to control the crowd. contrast with the city centre where shots and restaurants are opening up and people are going out to eat ice cream. i cannot stress enough how significant a presence at the taliban have in the city and how surreal it is to witness it. every few minutes one of their patrols passes by and they are heavily armed with powerful

alex forsyth, bbc news.on. the withdrawal of us troops has come in for strong condemnation from, among others, former generals, afghan americans, and some republican politicians. in opinion polls last month, an overwhelming majority of americans — 70% or more — supported mr biden's policy of withdrawal. but will the taliban's unstoppable advance have changed that? 0ur north america editor jon sopel reports. the sudden capture of the country's capital has shocked the world. whatever the political bent of the network. seizing control of kabul... the verdict today has been unanimous and brutal. �* . , ., ., and brutal. the biden administration is redefining — and brutal. the biden administration is redefining the _ and brutal. the biden administration is redefining the word _ and brutal. the biden administration is redefining the word incompetent. | is redefining the word incompetent. an epic— is redefining the word incompetent. an epic humiliation _ is redefining the word incompetent. an epic humiliation of _

alex forsyth, bbc news, greater manchester.it's one of the biggest transfer in recent history and he could earn half £1 million a week. messi left barcelona on sunday after 21 years, the club hejoined messi left barcelona on sunday after 21 years, the club he joined as a teenager. of the teenager. lionel messi, one of the game's ready to at a french airport ready to sign for paris st—germain, fans, some of at a french airport ready to sign for paris s been nain, fans, some of at a french airport ready to sign for paris s been waiting ns, some of at a french airport ready to sign for paris s been waiting for some of at a french airport ready to sign for paris s been waiting for days, of whom had been waiting for days, could j could barely contain themselves. i watched him play with how he acted and how he plays with his team—mates and how how he acted and how he plays with his team—mates and iamazing and to play the ball is just amazing and his amazing. he is everything, it'sjust amazing. he is the best player. everything, it's

alex forsyth, bbc news. is footage from the time — over a million people arrived in europe — many across the meditteranean. and the crisis created extreme practical and political challenges. this time, president macron is looking for the eu to be prepared. translation: we must anticipate | and protect ourselves against major a flows of migrants, journeys that would endanger those who take them and feed trafficking of all kinds. we heard a similarfrom the man who's favourite to replace angela merkel as german chancellor later this year. translation: 2015 must not repeat itself. - we need an orderly protection for those who are heading towards europe. elsewhere, other countries have agreed to take in afghan refugees. this includes a range of people from civil rights activists who are fearing retribution for their actions or political opinions in recent years. and there are those who have worked with western nongovernmental organisations and that aid agencies, and then there is the translators, drivers and many

alex forsyth, bbc news, halifax.e. i'm joined now by carter malkasian, former us military adviser and author of the american war in afghanistan: a history. while the americans are almost all gone and the taliban are back. i'm joined now by carter malkasian, former us military adviser and author of the american war in afghanistan: a history. thank you so much forjoining us. the british prime minister because the taliban victory in the chronicle of an event foretold. is he right? in a sense he is. people knew going into afghanistan there is danger getting stuck in a quagmire. people understood in the united states, leaders understood that the soviets had failed there. so we knew this and nevertheless we could not find a way out and trapped in afghanistan probably because of terrorists that threats we were worried about and then partly because we wanted to help the country so much. definitely right this was a chronicle of defeat. ., ,. , ., , , , defeat. you described as the best brief us adviser _ defeat. you described

here's our political correspondent, alex forsyth. this is the push to get people out.dreds of troops are helping evacuate british nationals and afghans who helped foreign forces. not everyone is eligible for a place on these planes and those left behind may try to make their own way out. that is what massoud, which is not his real name, date. which is not his real name, did. three years ago, just 16, he fled afghanistan when the taliban threatened his family. he said the illegal route was his only option, travelling on foot, in lorries and with people smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and sticks. you can't talk with them, they will just beat you. how do you feel now if your family are still in afghanistan? i don't have contact with my mum and sister. you don't know where they are? i don't know, and when i see the news everyday, bomb blast, the taliban, fighting, i am very scared about what is happening, if they are alive or not. with more refugees expected, the government has promised a plan. we are a big hearted nation and we have always, as i know from

alex forsyth, bbc news.ore on this story, we can now speak to sir mark lyall grant, who's a former uk ambassador to the un, and former uk national security adviser. sir markjoins us now from south london. welcome, thank you forjoining us. how great is the reputational damage to the west? i how great is the reputational damage to the west? ~ how great is the reputational damage to the west?— to the west? i think there is some reputational _ to the west? i think there is some reputational damage, _ to the west? i think there is some reputational damage, particularlyl to the west? i think there is some i reputational damage, particularly to the united states, no question of that. this is not so much a military setback as a political setback for the biden administration. because he has pursued a policy that was started by donald trump, he did so without much consultation with closest allies and the implementation of the evacuation, the withdrawal, has been a flawed. we understand though from boris johnson's offi

here's our political correspondent alex forsyth. this is the push to get people out.g evacuate british nationals and afghans who helped foreign forces. not everyone is eligible for a place on these planes and those left behind may try to make their own way out. that is what massoud, which is not his real name, date. three years ago, just 16, he fled afghanistan when the taliban threatened his family. he said the illegal route was his only option, travelling on foot, in lorries and with people smugglers. foot, in lorries and with people smugglers-— foot, in lorries and with people smu~lers. �* ., , smugglers. i couldn't talk because the had smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns _ smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and _ smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and sticks. - smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and sticks. you - smugglers. i couldn't talk because | they had guns and sticks. you can't talk with them, they willjust be you. talk with them, they will “ust be ou. ., talk with them, they will “ust be 0“. ., ., talk

the bbc�*s political correspondent, alex forsyth reports.ith them. planes drafted in to get people out. but could moore have been done? the foreign secretary, seen heading to downing street yesterday has been under pressure. pare downing street yesterday has been under pressure.— under pressure. are you going to resi . n, under pressure. are you going to resign, mr raab. _ under pressure. are you going to resign, mr raab. for _ under pressure. are you going to resign, mr raab. for not - under pressure. are you going to resign, mr raab. for not calling. under pressure. are you going to i resign, mr raab. for not calling his aft han resign, mr raab. for not calling his afghan counterpart _ resign, mr raab. for not calling his afghan counterpart last _ resign, mr raab. for not calling his afghan counterpart last week - resign, mr raab. for not calling his afghan counterpart last week to - resign, mr raab. for not calling his i afghan counterpart last week to help translators who had helped allied forces. ., ., ., forces. the whole of the govern

here's our political correspondent alex forsyth. this is the push to get people out.forces. not everyone is eligible for a place on these planes and those left behind may try to make their own way out. that is what massoud, which is not his real name, date. three years ago, just 16, he fled afghanistan when the taliban threatened his family. he said the illegal route was his only option, travelling on foot, in lorries and with people smugglers. i couldn't talk because they had guns and sticks. you can't talk with them, they will just be you. how do you feel now if your family are still in afghanistan? i don't have contact with my mum and sister. you don't know where they are. when i see the news everyday, bomb blast, the taliban, fighting, i am very scared about what is happening, if they are alive or not. with more refugees expected, the government has promised a plan to help. we are a big hearted nation and we have always, as i know from my own history, as priti patel knows from hers, has always been a country that has provided a safe haven for those fleeing persecu