our first report is from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams.airport, the desperation is dangerous. an american military transport plane on the runway this morning, mobbed by afghans trying to flee their country. eventually, the plane takes off. moments later, as it gains altitude, it appears that two people fault to the ground. —— fall. thousands of american and british troops have been sent to secure the airport, with helicopters used to clear the runway it is chaotic and ugly. similar scenes on the civilian side, an afghan airline are unable to leave has crowds frantically trying to reach it. outside the gates, shots ring out as the head long —— which began yesterday continues. at least two people have died at the airport today, perhaps more. what a contrast with the city's deserted green zone. once home to government buildings and foreign embassies, now empty but for pockets of taliban fighters. in a message posted on social media from their political base in qatar, the taliban and's co—founder urged his men to remain disciplined. now we hav

paul adams, strikes, for how long and to what effect? pauladams, bbc news. situation i've been speaking to lieutenant colonel davis, a former soldier who served in afghanistan and now a senior fellow and military expert in washington. he told us how far the taliban advance could go. i doubt that kabul is going to be next because that is literally the capital and they are both figuratively and literally for the afghan government will do everything they can to protect that and they will marshal their resources if they need to. but the anguishing thing to me is that this is entirely predictable. i've been warned about this for many years as have several other people. this was entirely avoidable to the degree we have seen here. and i'm concerned about what will happen next but this cannot surprise anyone that's been paying attention to the reports coming out. especially this past week equally as frustrated as i am right now about how you would could have been surprised by this because of the really bad way we have been doing business over the last ten or 15 year

our first report is from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams.fghanistan has new masters. 20 years after their first experiment in power came to a shattering end, the taliban are back. i was after arriving in kabul, sitting at the president's desk. —— hours after. earlier, at the same disc, president ashraf ghani clinging to the fragments of power. but the man gazing down on kabul�*s streets has fled, he says to avoid bloodshed. as the taliban moves in, the west moves out. american helicopters busy over kabul all day today, ferrying diplomats from the us embassy to the airport. this disorderly end was not the plan. hundreds of british troops have now arrived to help with the evacuation of thousands of british and afghan civilians. the operation is well under way. these troops may not be on the ground for long. kabul is in chaos, people desperate to leave, taking what they can, fearing a bloody assault. there is little violence so far, but a lot of panic. crowds descended on banks, trying to take out of their savings, as police officers and securi

paul adams, bbc news. speaking to a senior expert on the afghanistan peace process for the us institute of peace, she told me how she expects the taliban to advance significantly further. there is a kind of momentum to the taliban's campaign, especially in parts of the country that do not constitute its traditional stronghold. that gives a feeling of inevitability in this moment. what can be done to avoid that? what could have been done to stop it, this sort of sweep in the first place, do you think? i think this was really a crisis that was not at all inevitable and you know, really, what we see is that since the withdrawal announcement, on the part of the biden administration and the tremendous speed with which that withdrawal has been pursued, the taliban has felt emboldened to take new territory and in part, we know that could have been stemmed had they felt there would have been consequences for that kind of bold action and the forcible imposition of their rule. i think part of what we are seeing now

paul adams, bbc news. to get a little bit more on this continuing afghan conflict.ing to dr dipali mukhopadhyay, a senior expert on the afghanistan peace process for the us institute of peace. she expects the taliban advance to go much further. there is a kind of momentum to the teller ban�*s —— tallebudgera's campaign, particularly in parts of the country that don't continue the stronghold —— taliban for stubby gives a feeling of inevitability in this moment. what could have been done to stop this a sweep in the first place? stop this a sweep in the first lace? , ., , stop this a sweep in the first lace? , .,, ., , stop this a sweep in the first lace? , ., _, stop this a sweep in the first lace? , ., ,, place? this was really a crisis that was not _ place? this was really a crisis that was not at _ place? this was really a crisis that was not at all— place? this was really a crisis that was not at all inevitable | that was not at all inevitable and really, what we see is that since the withdrawal announcement on the part of the biden administration and the tremendo

paul adams, bbc news. figures show there were more than 27,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average there were 27,288 new cases per day in the last week. 39 deaths were recorded in the last 21l hours, that's an average of 86 a day in the last seven days. nearly 89% of adults in the uk have now had their firstjab and 74.5% are fully vaccinated. the latest changes to the uk's covid travel restrictions have come into force. mexico is now on the "red" list, with arrivals to britain having to stay in a government—approved hotel for ten days' isolation at their own expense. seven countries including germany have been added to the "green" list and there are now no restrictions for travellers who've been double jabbed arriving from france. here's our business correspondent, katy austin. just off the eurostar from paris to london and for passengers who've had both jabs, there's now no need to isolate. we were expecting to quarantine, so with having the kids it's a very nice s

are a diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. by a car during a race meeting at brands hatch. competition at the circuit — near dartford in kent — was suspended, but is expected to resume today. an investigation is under way. formula 1 world chamion lewis hamilton said he was "devastated" to hear of the incident. he said "these volunteer marshals are what makes racing possible, they are heroes. my heart is with his family". a former diplomat, who was sentenced to eight months in jail, over blogs he wrote about the high court trial of alex salmond in 2020, has handed himself into the police. this comes after supreme courtjudges refused 62—year—old craig murray, the former british ambassador to uzbekistan, permission to appeal his conviction for breaching a court order. prosecutors said mr murray deliberately risked jigsaw identification of women, who had made complaints against mr salmond. scotland's former first minister was acquitted of all 13 sexual assault charges. young people in england are to be offered incentives, includin

paul adams, bbc news. let's speak to our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. is going to lead the new taliban government? iliiui’eiiii any word on who is going to lead the new taliban government? iliai’eiiiii any word on who is going to lead the new taliban government? well i think we 'ust new taliban government? well i think we just have — new taliban government? well i think we just have to _ new taliban government? well i think we just have to look— new taliban government? well i think we just have to look at _ new taliban government? well i think we just have to look at the _ new taliban government? well i think we just have to look at the existing i we just have to look at the existing taliban movement which is very much an islamic movement. it is headed by an islamic movement. it is headed by an islamic movement. it is headed by an islamic a mayor. who will likely almost certainly play a role as they transferred their movement to become a new islamic system. and in effect the new government of afghanistan. we have reports that the deputy leader of the ta

that was paul adams. tokyo 0lympics have ended, with a closing ceremony in the national stadium devoid of fans. moments after the flame was extinguished, a volley of multi—coloured fireworks lit up the night sky above the stadium where athletes were already heading for the exits. the president of the international olympic committee, thomas bach, the olympic flag was handed over to the mayor of paris where the games will be held in three years time. team gb have matched their medal total from london 2012 with 22 golds, and 65 medals in total. jason kenny won a gold medal in the men's kieren cycling event in the veladrome. that makes him britain's most successful male athlete with a total of seven olympic gold medals under his belt — and a total of nine 0lympic medals in all. in the boxing ring, there was gold for lauren price in the women's boxing middle weight final. she beat china's li qian in a five to nil points victory. lucy hockings has been in tokyo for us throughout the olympics — and she gave her

paul adams, bbc news. 0ur correspondent yogita limaye is in kabul.capture the capital? the taliban continue to make rapid advances in this country. now they have taken a province which is very close to the city of kabul and there are real fears about the future of the capital of afghanistan. everything has changed herejust at the span of a week and it has taken people by disbelief. the second largest city, kandahar, now controlled by the taliban. it is a traditional stronghold of the group, so for them, it is a major victory. herat in the west, close to the border with iran, an important trading centre, that too now controlled by the taliban. these are major losses for the afghan government. it leaves them in a very vulnerable position and people here really are waiting to hear from the leadership of this country, from the president of the country about how things are going to unfold in the days to come. 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale is here. having withdrawn troops, hundreds of british and us troops are going back into get their nationals

paul adams, bbc news. now to kabul, and our chief international correspondent lyce doucet. the deadline is tuesday but the troops have to get out before that. very little time for civilians who want to leave to be evacuated. it is a race against _ want to leave to be evacuated. it is a race against the _ want to leave to be evacuated. it 3 a race against the clock and a race so fraught with risk. we are hearing today from london they will use all the hours which remain to get out all of the people, the british nationals, the afghans at risk, who want to make their way to britain and other capitals. there simply are not enough hours left. there are those afghans who tell us the taliban came knocking at the door. they are terrified and know this may be their last chance out. there are those afghans, including university graduates, people who had been on british scholarships, even those with british passports, who are trying, trying without success to actually get from a point in kabul to the airport. since y

paul adams, bbc news. let�*s speak to our correspondent, secunder kermani, in kabul.to stay away from the airport because of the threat of a terror attack? when i was at the airport yesterday afternoon and there were still huge crowds gathering there, really desperate scenes, old women being pushed along, rubbish strewn, dirt tracks and wheelbarrows, young children being carried by their parents, do not have the right travel documents to board an evacuation fight, they are clutching files of papers showing foreign embassies hoping to waive that in the faces of the soldiers and somehow be let through. that will not happen. it also makes it even more chaotic of course, this threat warning really raising a lot of concern and for the people there, it is in such a state of confusion, i really don�*t think that information is trickling down and they have already endured so much that i don�*t think it is really going to be a majorfactor in whether think it is really going to be a major factor in whether or not they decide to stay at the airport, they are so desperate to leav

paul adams, bbc news.arlier, i spoke to taliban spokesman suhail shaheen — about what they plan to do now. their properties, their lives are safe, there will be no restraint on anything. we are deserving of the people and of this country. our leadership had instructed ourforces to remain at the gate of kabul, not to enter the city, we are awaiting a peaceful transfer of power. when you say peaceful transfer of power, what do you mean? what is actually likely to happen? it means that the city and the power should be handed over to the islamic emirate of afghanistan and then we will have an afghan inclusion, islamic government, in which all afghans will have participation. when you say participation, do you mean one vote, one person? what do you mean by participation? participation means that we will have, in the government, other afghans, they will be a part in the future government. but it will fall under the umbrella of the government of the taliban? the islamic emirate, as you describe it? yes, there wil

our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams has more. british and american troops working together in the heat and chaos of kabul airport. this vast multinational effort entirely dependent on american involvement and without it, everyone goes home. britain wants more time. i and without it, everyone goes home. britain wants more time.— britain wants more time. i think at the moment— britain wants more time. i think at the moment it _ britain wants more time. i think at the moment it is _ britain wants more time. i think at the moment it is unlikely. - britain wants more time. i think at the moment it is unlikely. i - britain wants more time. i think at the moment it is unlikely. i can . britain wants more time. i think at| the moment it is unlikely. i can see the moment it is unlikely. i can see the public statements from president biden and the statements from the taliban but we have to plan on the sist taliban but we have to plan on the 31st of august being the last moment. everyday we get after that would be a big bonus.— would be a b

paul adams, bbc news. let's talk to our political correspondentjonathan blake.acing?— do about the horror that afghan civilians are facing? india and the government's _ civilians are facing? india and the government's options _ civilians are facing? india and the government's options will - civilians are facing? india and the government's options will be - civilians are facing? india and the | government's options will be their face of what is is happening in afghanistan because they seem resigned to the taliban's continued to advance in the country having said that in the and there was no choice but to your case to follow the us in withdrawing its troops and the us in withdrawing its troops and the defence secretary thing this morning he tried to build international support for continued military presence in the country and a continued collation but in the end it was not possible. without the us being there and they are open about the consequences saying that al-qaeda will probably come back and afghanistan is now heading for a civil war. there is very little a

paul adams, bbc news.onal correspondent lyse doucet is in kabul and told us what the news that there was not going to be an extension past the end of august to evacuation flights from the capital's airport means for those still in the city. it is a race against the clock and a race so fraught with risk. we are hearing today from london they will use all the hours which remain to get out all of the people, the british nationals, the afghans at risk, who and other capitals. there simply are not enough hours left. there are those afghans who tell us the taliban came knocking at the door. they are terrified and know this may be their last chance out. there are those afghans, including university graduates, people who had been on british scholarships, even those with british passports, who are trying, trying without success to actually get from a point in kabul to the airport. since yesterday it is ever harder to reach the airport. then, much less, even to get through that crush of people to make it to the last

paul adams, bbc news.escribed the situation in afghanistan as "absolutely unprecedented"... a tragedy is unfolding, a humanitarian crisis emerging, and we are working to ensure that we bring people from afghanistan, both british nationals, those who have been working for the government, and with the government and supporting us, including people of afghan nationality, to the united kingdom. there is an enormous resettlement programme that the defence secretary and i are overseeing. so that is our priority right now. and, of course, when it comes to issues such as deportations, our policy is always under review, when the world is in a terrible state. and i think we must reflect right now in terms of what is happening in afghanistan and in the region itself. this government is absolutely clear in terms of our own commitments to the british nationals over there that we are bringing out, but also to the people of afghanistan who we have spent a great deal of time and resource over a number of years, women and

paul adams, bbc news. our north america editor jon sopel is in washington. i think he was trying to put a brave face on a situation that has turned chaotic. you can debate the policy about the wisdom or otherwise of pulling american forces out of afghanistan, and there are many people, republican and democrat, who think you can'tjust sign a blank check for ever that american forces will prop up a government in afghanistan that does not command the support of the people and if the taliban come knocking, maybe that is the result. but the way it has unfolded, joe biden seems to have ignored all the warnings he was given by allies, by military top brass. they have drastically overestimated the fighting power of the afghan armed forces, they have underestimated the speed with which the taliban would advance. that leaves you with a situation today of helicopters ferrying diplomats to the airport, the ambassador going to the airport, the ambassador going to the airport, the flag being lowered over the kabul embassy, diplomats been told to shred documents. not quite

paul adams, our diplomatic afghanistan.plomatic correspondent, thank you very much. the prime minister of greece, kyriakos mitsotakis says the country must urgently change its approach to fire prevention and flood protection. more than 700 firefighters are tackling wildfires that have broken out across the country after the worst heatwave in 30 years — including in the capital athens, where one volunteer firefighter died after being hit by a falling electricity pole. these images show some of the thousands of people have been evacuated from areas surrounding the capital. in the villiage of limni more than a thousand people fled on ferry boats as the fires closed in. translation: i want to reassure all those affected by the fire is that they are my first priority. all the burns and will be be forested and we change the way we carry out fire prevention works. change the way we carry out fire prevention works. bethany bell is in malakasa near athens. this is the main north—south motorway near athens but it has been closed for

paul adams, bbc news.s are trying to retake that lost ground, the provincial capitals, the cities. do you think they can do it? the security situation had been deteriorating for a while, and the afghan government had said that it wanted to defend these cities across the country. kunduz was one of them. now, kunduz was one of them. now, kunduz and has fallen to the taliban, so that tells you how bad the security situation is. i think this has an impact on the political alignment of the media factions, groups across the country with the afghan republic, and it is bound to show confidence in the ability of the afghan government to fight back. the timing of this, but they have been ever 20 years or so but sometimes they would have to leave and you can't have country being like a patient thatis country being like a patient that is constantly needing life support. was this inevitably going to happen whenever those troops left, do you think? lie troops left, do you think? us war troops left, do you think? ii’s wa

paul adams, bbc news. more on the government's proposals on afghan refugees.iscuss that. let's talk to labour peer, lord alf dubs. he came to the uk as a refugees fleeing the nazis. he has long campaigned on the topic of refugee rights. thank you so much for your time. what goes through your mind when you hear of figure put on it in this way. 5000 to be held this year ultimately 20,000?— this way. 5000 to be held this year ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the . uestion ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the cuestion is ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the question is how _ ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the question is how many _ ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the question is how many of _ ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the question is how many of those - ultimately 20,000? ultimately, the question is how many of those can l question is how many of those can even get out. it may be in the airport already, but if they haven't got to the airport, it's no guarantee the taliban will let them in. unless the taliban starts cooperating, it's not certain how many of these peo

paul adams, bbc news.an spokesman zabihullah mujahid is holding a news conference. has been talking about the banks which he says are going to reopen. translation:— which he says are going to reopen. translation: controlling the city in the streets, these _ translation: controlling the city in the streets, these all _ translation: controlling the city in the streets, these all belong - translation: controlling the city in the streets, these all belong to - translation: controlling the city in the streets, these all belong to the i the streets, these all belong to the municipality of kabul and from today, we have started... the operation. workers are working on the streets. the other thing that people were waiting for... all district barriers that were in place today we have started removing them all. and of the city will be clear from the barriers. we had checkpoints, we had some barriers there, and the municipality of kabul has started its work seriously and we will be carrying this out all across afghani

our diplomatic correspondent paul adams says that even though the military situation may not yet be clearant effect in the country. in the past couple of months taliban have successfully captured around half the districts of afghanistan so the impression of a lightning advance is getting harder and harder to ignore. and that has catastrophic effects, for example, and the morale of tens of thousands of troops. in a ratherfamiliar way, we are hearing reports that they are simply abandoning their positions and throwing off their uniforms. these are people who are poorly trained, badly and in some cases not paid. and they are not fighting for kind of victory or glory as the taliban. they are not perhaps willing to die as members of the taliban. as members of the taliban are. so this impression of a lightning advance is something that is becoming more and more apparent. here, a 32—year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, after the death of a 2—year—old girl in dungannon, in county tyrone. it's understood the little girl died in hospital after an ambulance attended an address at p

ourfirst report is from our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. sitting at the president's desk.president was clinging to the last fragments of power. but the man gazing down on the streets is gone. in a facebook post he said he left to avoid bloodshed. as the taliban moves in, the west moves out. early treatment american helicopters busy all day today bearing diplomats from the embassy to the airport. this disorderly and was not the plan. hundreds of british troops have arrived in kabul to help with the evacuation of thousands of british and afghan civilians. the operation is well under way. these trips may not be on the ground for long. kabul is in chaos. people desperate to leave, taking what they can, fearing a bloody assault. there was little violence so far but a lot of panic. crowds descended on banks, trying to take out their savings. as police officers and security officials abandoned their positions. the taliban urged people to stay calm. we wanted to avoid bloodshed _ people to stay calm. we wanted to avoid bloodshed and - to avoid bloodshed and destruction to properti

paul adams, bbc news.'s just show you more of that statement from afghan president, his first statement since he left the country today. posting on facebook, mr ghani said, "today, ifaced a hard choice; should i stand and face the armed taliban who wanted to enter the palace or leave the dear country that i dedicated my life to protecting for the past twenty years?"(ani) he he said he left the country in order to avoid bloodshed, as the taliban entered the presidential palace. mr ghani also added the taliban are now responsible for protecting the country's honour, wealth and self—esteem. he did not disclose details on his new, current location. let's just show you these pictures. these are the latest scenes from the airport in kabul. you can see crowds outside a plane on the tarmac waiting to leave. those are the pictures, you can see them again, if you can make them out, people standing around outside the aircraft, trying to see if they can get on. we were told a little bit earlier by nato that all commer

paul adams, bbc news. let's speak to our south asia correspondent, anbarasan ethirajan.latest. i do suggest breaking news. in here with the very latest. i do suggest breaking news. in the last few minutes. _ suggest breaking news. in the last few minutes, we _ suggest breaking news. in the last few minutes, we have _ suggest breaking news. in the last few minutes, we have a _ suggest breaking news. in the last few minutes, we have a hearing i suggest breaking news. in the last i few minutes, we have a hearing from abdullah abdullah, the head of the conciliation, in the peace talks in doha, he has given a message on facebook saying the ex—president has left the country, and that that means president ashraf ghani has left the country. that is what we understand, with tullow news, a respectable tv channel in afghanistan, saying that ashraf ghani with his talk team has left the country. so we are getting from two different sources, we have not heard anything from the palace about it, but it is coming from mr abdullah abdullah, he is part of the negotiations with what is goin

in recent days, without much resistance. 0urfirst report is from our diplomatic correspondent, paul adamsafter their first experiment in power came to a shattering end, the taliban are back. hours after arriving in kabul. earlier, at the same desk the president was clinging to the last fragments of power. but the man gazing down on kabul street has gone, fleeing to neighbouring uzbekistan. in a facebook post he said he had left to avoid bloodshed. as the taliban moves in the west moves out. american helicopters busy over ten by michael day today ferrying diplomats in the us embassy to the airport and this disorder the end was not the plan. hundreds of british troops have now arrived in kabul to help with the evacuation of thousands of british and afghan civilians. ~ . ., ., thousands of british and afghan civilians. ~ . . ., ., ., , civilians. wear a mask at all times. i'd make the _ civilians. wear a mask at all times. i'd make the operation _ civilians. wear a mask at all times. i'd make the operation is _ civilians. wear a mask at all times. i'd make the operation is well- civilians. w

earlier i spoke to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams.nt taliban advances in sheberghan and zaranj into context. clearly, if it is true that another provincial capital has fallen or is in the process of falling then that is a deeply worrying thing. it is partly about the image of what is going on. the military picture may be confused with the fact of the matter is that in the past couple of months the taliban have successfully captured half of the districts of afghanistan. the lightning advance of the taliban is getting harder and harder to ignore. and that has catastrophic effects. for example, on the morale of tens of thousands of afghan troops who, you know, in a rather familiar way, we are hearing reports that they are simply abandoning their positions and throwing of their uniforms. these are people who are poorly trained, badly and in some cases not paid. and they are not fighting for kind of victory or glory as the taliban are. and they are not perhaps willing to die as the members of the taliban are so this impression of a lightni

let's speak to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams.s apparent drone strike?— drone strike? details have been cominu drone strike? details have been coming out _ drone strike? details have been coming out since _ drone strike? details have been coming out since friday. - drone strike? details have been coming out since friday. this i coming out since friday. this incident occurred late on thursday night. both american and israeli officials have talked about the involvement of drones, including what is known as a suicide drone, effectively a drone which flies into the target and is destroyed. possibly also involving drones swarming around the target. this is something the british also seem to have picked up on, there has been an investigation by the british authorities and that appears to have reached some initial conclusions leaving the government to say that it is highly likely that iran was ever involved in the attack on the merchant vessel and drones were involved. it's worth stepping back and realising this does appear to be the lat

paul adams, bbc news.t colonel davis — former soldier who served in afghanisatan, now a, senior fellow and military expert at defence priorities in washington. good to have you on the programme with us. five regional cities have fallen now including kunduz. is next, and what is endgame for the taliban here?— taliban here? yeah, this is... i doubt that— taliban here? yeah, this is... i doubt that cobble _ taliban here? yeah, this is... i doubt that cobble is _ taliban here? yeah, this is... i doubt that cobble is going - taliban here? yeah, this is... i doubt that cobble is going to l taliban here? yeah, this is... i | doubt that cobble is going to be next because that is literally the capital and they are both figuratively and literally for the afghan government will do everything they can to protect that and they will marshal their resources if they need to. but the anguishing thing to me is that this is entirely predictable. i've been warned about this for many years as of several other people. this was

our first report is from our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams.fghanistan has new masters stopping 20 years later, the taliban are back. hours after arriving in kabul, sitting at the president's desk. earlier at the same desk president ashraf ghani clinging to the last fragments of power. but the man gazing down on kabul�*s street has gone, fleeing to uzbekistan. in a facebook post he said he left to avoid bloodshed. as the taliban moves in the west moves out. american helicopters busy over kabul today, ferrying diplomats from the us embassy to the airport. this disorderly end was not a plan. hundreds of british troops have now arrived in kabul to help with the evacuation of thousands of british and afghan civilians. the operation is well under way, these trips may not be on the ground for long. kabul is in chaos, people desperate to leave, taking what they can, fearing a bloodied assault stopping is little violence so far but a lot of panic. crowds descended on banks trying to take out their savings as police officers and security officials aband

our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, is here. the speed of the taliban advance is astonishing!ing! it really is. it's amazin: astonishing! it really is. it's amazing to _ astonishing! it really is. it's amazing to think— astonishing! it really is. it's amazing to think it's - astonishing! it really is. it's amazing to think it's been l astonishing! it really is. it's- amazing to think it's been almost 20 years now since us led forces went into afghanistan defeating the taliban, eventually installing a democratically elected government but since then the war has ebbed and flowed but if you look at the map of the territory the taliban held as recently as 2017, the areas in red, they were only really incomplete control of a handful of districts. fast forward four years, look how the situation has changed. the teller controls huge swathes of afghanistan. a lot of this has happened in a few short months since president biden announced the withdrawal of us led forces, a process due to be completed in a matter of weeks. the afghans are getting american support, they say that the 52 bo

paul adams, bbc news. 0ur south asia editor anbarasan ethirajan joins us from delhi. —— afirm —— a firmyou describe the conjured from the taliban that press conference this afternoon? . ., ~ ., , afternoon? outcome i think what they said was relatively _ afternoon? outcome i think what they said was relatively reassuring. - said was relatively reassuring. 0bviously deliberately so. but i think they said something that both the domestic audience but also the international community would have liked to have heard. they said that they were not going to be the same as they were 20 years ago when they were in power, that they didn't want any problems with the international community. they weren't going to allow foreign fighters to operate out of afghanistan. they weren't going to target those who had worked forforeign going to target those who had worked for foreign governments. going to target those who had worked forforeign governments. there going to target those who had worked for foreign governments. there was amnesty for people who fought against them. and that they would allow women t

paul adams, bbc news.to discuss given what is going on in afghanistan, and we will reflect that emergency meeting at the un security council as well of course. first, the thoughts the sour from our security correspondent, frank gardner. we were listening to this in the last hour, he said among his very many concerns for afghanistan, he is anxious that the country is going to become a base for organised crime. you have extensive knowledge of this region. what are your thoughts about the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban — the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are _ the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still— the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still working - the coming days and weeks? i think that caliban are still working it - that caliban are still working it out amongst themselves as to just how strict they are going to be in terms of morality and social reform, the way they turn the country back to how it was before or not. —— taliban. they will want t

paul adams, bbc news.ndent damian grammaticas — who is in westminster. so, the clock really is taking. well, certainly, yes. it seems to be. that's what the defence secretary was saying to him he was measuring it in hours. we know that there is a week or so until that deadline that the us have said, but we also know that the uk and other areas are looking to try to get that extended. so there will be discussions tomorrow through the g7 being hosted by borisjohnson, a video call does g7 rich country leaders, which the uk will raise the issue of a possible extension, but ultimately, even if the french and the germans would want to back that, which it seems they might do, it is an american decision that would have to be made because it is the americans who are providing all of the security, the bulk of the security at kabul airport, who are providing the functioning of the airport, keeping it operational. but even then, beyond that, it's the tele— band good well that a lot of this will be down to as well, so

paul adams, bbc news. kind of afghanistan that you are hearing about in that report. 20 years on it since the taliban were ousted by a us led invasion, could events in afghanistan, could afghanistan have turned out differently? we are joined by a close observer, former un senior official who also served in washington and in kabul. what is your reaction to what you are seeing unfolding in afghanistan? i’m unfolding in afghanistan? i'm horrified. like many observers. the afghanistan — horrified. like many observers. the afghanistan i knew in the 1960s was not a _ afghanistan i knew in the 1960s was not a perfect place but it was reasonably peaceful and reasonably secure _ reasonably peaceful and reasonably secure it _ reasonably peaceful and reasonably secure. it was a beautiful country and wonderful people. you cannot watch _ and wonderful people. you cannot watch what is going on now without horror_ watch what is going on now without horror and — watch what is going on now without horror and some shame.— h

here's a our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. fire and confusion in the centre of kunduz.iban pictures appear to show another city falling under their control. this is the biggest prize so far. a large city, economically important, it seems to have fallen easily. afraid of the fighting, as much as of the taliban, civilians fleeing, many of them heading south to kabul. a government spokesman says the taliban will soon be asked about similar claims have been made elsewhere, apparently without result. to the west, taliban fighters inspect newly captured government buildings. one of three provincial capitals have been reported injust one three provincial capitals have been reported in just one day. the taliban have captured five provincial centres. no longer content to control the countryside, confident enough to move on major cities. if the taliban could make it to windows, maybe they could make it to kabul and that is a big fear, the only good option would be if there was a political settlement but that does not seem any more possible today than it was two or three years ago

paul adams reports. this is a vast, multinational operation.ort full this is a vast, multinational operation. kabul airport full of military planes ferrying foreigners and afghans to safety all around the clock. but for how long? the taliban have said again that western troops must be out of the country by the end of the month. without their cooperation and america's huge presence none of this can continue. but international pressure to keep it going is mounting. the defence secretary visiting scottish troops, who could be sent to join the effort, says the clock is ticking. the prime minister is at g7 going to try and raise the prospect of seeing if the united states will extend. i don't think there is any likelihood on staying on after the united states if their timetable extends even by a day or two, and that will give us a day or two more to evacuate people. we are down two hours, not weeks, and we have to make sure we exploit every minute to get people out. make sure we exploit every minute to get peeple out-— get people out. overnight the

— he'd left the country, but they shot dead one of his relatives. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adamste weight for relief. all around the heavily guarded airport, thousands of afghans are still desperate to get out. people with british and other western passports, hoping their names are helmand from west london was about to make it through. in the thick of it, british troops are trying to make sense of the chaos. all around the airport, pockets of people waiting out in the open. with time running out, the operation is gathering pace. western nations want to have all of this done by the end of the month. we to have all of this done by the end of the month-— of the month. we are focused on accelerating _ of the month. we are focused on accelerating the _ of the month. we are focused on accelerating the evacuation - of the month. we are focused on accelerating the evacuation as i of the month. we are focused on l accelerating the evacuation as best we can. in the last 2a hours we brought out 963 people which is a significant acceleration on the 24—hour period before that and we'll at lea

this report is from paul adams.e is running out, and they know it. 0utside time is running out, and they know it. outside the airport, no let up in the people differ spirit to leave. too afraid to stay, prepare to put up with heat and field for a chance —— people desperate to leave. inside the operation turns on around the clock, planes leaving every 45 minutes. here, the government says it's using every hour available to get people out. but the danger is rising, says the man ultimately in charge. rising, says the man ultimately in charae. ,, . charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by a _ charge. starting with the growing risk of an attack by a terrorist - risk of an attack by a terrorist group known as isis k, which is a sworn enemy of the tele— as well, every would a we're on the ground, isis k is seeking to target the airport —— enemy of the taliban. the airport -- enemy of the taliban. the

paul adams, bbc news.n the ground in afghanistan. firing has been heard in jalalabad as flag—waving protesters defied the taliban. 0ur correspondent dan johnson is following developments from delhi. what is the latest? what are you hearing? we what is the latest? what are you hearin: ? ~ ., ., , what is the latest? what are you hearin: ? ~ . ., , ., hearing? we are hearing they have been protests _ hearing? we are hearing they have been protests and _ hearing? we are hearing they have been protests and signs _ hearing? we are hearing they have been protests and signs of - hearing? we are hearing they have i been protests and signs of defiance, the hoisting of the afghan flag. in jalalabad, the city in the east closer to the pakistan border, but the defiance has been met with a serious response from caliban fighters who have opened fire on the crowds. —— taliban. this is the kind of force people expected, if people show defiance, and maybe this will justify in the eyes of the taliban, the sort of measures i

initial comments when the british prime minister boris johnson. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adamstack everyone feared, smoke and gunfire on the edge of the airport. two explosions in rapid succession in an area packed with civilians. shock and panic is injured orferried to hospital, kabul is used to atrocities, but this is the first of its kind since the city fell, targeting the very people most desperate to leave. translation:— people most desperate to leave. translation: ., , , ., translation: people started running awa and we translation: people started running away and we got _ translation: people started running away and we got out. _ translation: people started running away and we got out. at _ translation: people started running away and we got out. at least - translation: people started running away and we got out. at least four- away and we got out. at least four of 500 people. the explosion was really powerful. half were hauled into the water, others on the ground outside. we carried the wounded on stretchers and my clothes are bloodied. it stretchers and my clothes are

leaders returned to afghanistan from qatar — where many were in exile. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adamsck on home soil. a , ., ., ., ., ., soil. abdul ghani baradar, one of the movement _ soil. abdul ghani baradar, one of the movement founders, - soil. abdul ghani baradar, one of| the movement founders, returned soil. abdul ghani baradar, one of- the movement founders, returned to kandahar last night, mobbed by supporters still celebrating their success. a moment to savour for the man seen last year signing a deal with the trump administration, which helped set the scene for this remarkable return to power. in kabul, an uneasy calm. taliban fighters everywhere cementing control over a city that has changed out of all recognition since they were last here. a place where, for all the country's many problems, people have dared to hope. i all the country's many problems, people have dared to hope. i urge the taliban _ people have dared to hope. i urge the taliban to _ people have dared to hope. i urge the taliban to lead _ people have dared to hope. i urge the taliban to lead the _ people h

paul adams, bbc news. you some live pictures from brussels where nato is holding a press conference. let's have a listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us troo -s listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us tr00ps would _ listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us troops would withdraw _ listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us troops would withdraw by _ listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us troops would withdraw by may. - listen in to mr stoltenberg. that us| troops would withdraw by may. after many rounds of consultations, all allies agreed to follow at the us decision. ending our military mission it was not easy. we were faced with a serious dilemma either leave and risk seeing the taliban regain control or stay and read risk renewed attacks and an open ended combat mission. we never intended to stay in afghanistan forever. 0ver stay in afghanistan forever. over the past few years, from over 100,000 troops who went down —— we went down to less than 10000 and now to zero. but what we have seen in the last few weeks was a mili

our diplomatic correspondent paul adams has the latest. the long, desperate wait for relief.e heavily guarded airport, thousands of afghans are still desperate to get out. people with british and other western passports, hoping their names are on the list. this uber driver from west london was about to make it through. in the thick of it, british troops trying to make sense of the chaos. all around the airport, pockets of people waiting out in the open. with time running out, the operation is gathering pace. western nations want to have all of this done by the end of the month. we are focused on accelerating the evacuation as best we can. in the last 2a hours, we've brought out 963 people which is a significant acceleration on the 24—hour period before that and we'll at least match that number again today. in the city, a heavy taliban presence. fighters have flooded the streets, sending an unmistakable message complete control. it is a muslim shia festival, celebrated peacefully with no sign of interference from their new sunni masters. when the taliban last ruled the country