Travel rules. President biden has said that the drawdown of American Forces in afghanistan is on schedule and its Military Mission there will end on 31 august. Its nearly 20 years since us and other foreign forces entered the country in the wake of the 9 11 Terror Attacks on the united states attacks which were planned under taliban rule in afghanistan. Two decades on, and a resurgent taliban continues to make rapid gains as nato forces leave. Mr biden said that there was no sence in prolonging the us stay in afghanistan beyond The End of next month. In 2011, the nato allies and partners agreed that we would end our Combat Mission in 2014. In 2014, some argued one more year, so we kept fighting. And we kept taking casualties. In 2015, the same and on, and on. Nearly 20 years of experience has shown us that the current Security Situation only confirms thatjust one more Year Fighting in afghanistan is not a solution, but a recipe for being there indefinitely. Its up to the afghans to make the decision about the future of their country. A few hours earlier, the british prime minister, borisjohnson, confirmed that most of the british troops in afghanistan have now left the country, with the rest to come home shortly. Heres our defence correspondent, jonathan beale. At one of the few nato bases left in kabul, the lowering of the Union Flag signalled The End of the mission. Most of the 750 british troops who remained in the country have now returned home. Time to reflect on the sacrifices made and to assess what theyve achieved. No one should doubt the gains of the last 20 years, but nor can we shrink from the hard reality of the situation today. The taliban are already advancing. But the prime minister still insisted Britain Wasnt abandoning afghanistan. I hope that no one will leap to the false conclusion that the withdrawal of our forces somehow means The End of Britains Commitment to afghanistan. Millions more afghan children, including girls, are now in school. After 9 11, the government also says, The World is now safer the legacy of the last 20 years. Gunfire but the afghan Security Forces are now on their own, and the taliban already control nearly half of the country. A57 british troops lost their lives, most here in helmand. 12 years ago was one of the bloodiest. These are some of the faces of five soldiers who went out on one patrol and never came back. Among them william aldridge, whod just turned 18. His mother is still asking why. Show me what we did achieve. Id like to see with my eyes, what did we achieve . What was the sacrifice for . Cos its too high a price to pay. We had five killed and 35 wounded. From the company group, it was a total of ten killed and 50 wounded. Richard steatfield also served in sangin in 2010. He fears the exit of nato forces will open the floodgates of violence. Anyone who looks at afghanistan, looks at the future of afghanistan, cannot see a situation where removing the forces that have kept the balance of peace in afghanistan is a good idea. It means that there will be bloodshed, and it is difficult not to see this as a strategic disaster. Britain will retain a very small Military Presence to protect its embassy. But their war is now over its not for afghanistan. Jonathan beale, bbc news. Lets get some of the days other news. The united states has said it will help haitis national police investigating the assassination of its president , jovenel moise, who was shot dead at his home on wednesday. Local police say four gunmen have been killed and six arrested in connection with the murder, but say they are still looking for the masterminds. A number of the suspects are believed to be foreigners. The united Nations Security Council has backed the african Union Mediation efforts in a bitter and on going dispute between ethiopia, Egypt And Sudan over a huge Hydropower Dam on the blue nile. Ethiopia has this week begun the second phase of filling the reservoir of the grand ethiopian renaissance dam, intensifying fears that Water Access to Egypt And Sudan could be restricted. The European Parliament has approved, by an overwhelming majority, a resolution condemning hungary for a recent law forbidding the depiction of Homosexuality And Gender change to under 18s. Parliamentarians are urging the European Commission to take legal action against the hungarian government and to withhold eu funds. Hungarys prime minister, viktor 0rban, says the law is necessary to protect children. Now to another huge set back for the olympics with the announcement that there will be no spectators at events in tokyo. 0rganisers have been forced to make the change with just two weeks before the start of the olympics, after declaring a State Of Emergency in the capital because of a surge In Covid cases. This was how the news was announced. Translation we have no other choice but to hold the games in a limited way. There are many people who were looking forward to the games those people who purchased a ticket, as well as the local community people, we are very sorry we are able to deliver only a limited version of the games. But we want to have thorough operation to ensure safe and secure games, so that people The World over will be able to find the olympic and paralympic ideals. I sincerely solicit your kind cooperation. Thank you. For more reaction to this, ive been speaking to our correspondent in tokyo, mariko 0i. As you know, james, there has been an overwhelming majority of the japanese public who have been opposing the games to begin with. Theyve been wanting the games to be cancelled, or at least postponed. So it wasnt exactly a celebratory mood for quite some time now. But, as you said, this is definitely the latest setback though i have to say, the decision not to allow any spectators in was somewhat expected after the latest State Of Emergency was declared, because you cant exactly ask people to stay indoors but say, you can still go and watch the olympics. Of course, the State Of Emergency means restaurants and bars are asked not to serve alcohol, and some of the businesses have been very angry about this, saying the financial implication is devastating. But from the Governments Point of view, though, they were very concerned about people going to some competitions, going to a bar, getting a bit drunk and possibly leading to a higher number of Covid 19 infections. So, as the Organising Committee and the government said, it was a difficult decision to make, but they had to make it. But this means that, after spending some 25 billion, including building that brand new stadium, its going to be empty, and the japanese government will likely see no financial benefits from tourism, because we are not accepting any overseas fans, but also Ticket Sales either. Can Ticket Holders get a refund . Yes, and thatll mean that the Organising Committee will have to deal with some financial issues, as well. Earlier, the government and the committee, when they had initially announced they would allow up to 10,000 spectators inside the stadiums, there were reports that money may have played a role, the Organising Committee may have needed a financial bailout if they decided to hold the games behind closed doors. Now that theyve made this latest change, this could potentially mean that they need more Taxpayer Money which obviously doesnt go down too well with the japanese public, who have already been opposing the games to go ahead. In 11 days time anyone in england who is fully vaccinated against Covid 19 can travel to an Amber Risk Country without needing to quarantine on return. Under 18s wont have to self isolate either meaning families can travel abroad this summer. The relaxation of rules is expected to result in a big boost for the Travel Industry as people rush to book a last minute summer holiday. Heres our transport correspondent, caroline davies. The empty aircraft and quiet Departure Halls may soon be full of noise again. Todays announcement is the most significant change to international travel seen this year. From 19july, anyone fully vaccinated doesnt need to quarantine when they travel from an Amber List Country to england. But they will still need to take a test before they travel and another Pcr Test on arrival. Under 18s wont need to quarantine at all. Under fours wont need to take any tests. 5 to 11 year olds will need to take a Pcr Test after they arrive and 11 to 17 year olds will need to take a pre Departure Test and a Pcr Test. For now, this is only open to those jabbed in the uk. Northern ireland has said it will do the same from 26july, a week later. Scotland and wales are yet to announce whether they will adopt the policy. At the moment, most countries in The World are on the Amber List and its the news many in the Travel Industry were desperate for. If we thinkjust a week ago we had less than ten destinations on the green list that we were able to sell, and now were selling 85 destinations which are both on the amber and green list, so its massive news. We believe testing is the next thing that needs to be removed and there should be restriction free travel very similar to how much of europe currently operates. And some are delighted that this means they can get away, Including Shay and herfamily, who are going to greece. Its really good in terms of the fact we are not going to have to self isolate on our way back, which is really good, so that means we can go straight back into work after weve finished our holiday, but its not great that we are going to have to take Pcr Test. But for some the change doesnt help. Joanna is 2a And Wont have her second vaccine for weeks, and her Mother Cant come to see her because she was double jabbed in bulgaria. Its quite disappointing because its making a lot of plans notjust for me but i believe a lot of people who are wanting to go and see Theirfamilies Being reunited, they were making plans and unfortunately thats not happening now. The government has said it will look at whether its possible to phase in People Jabbed in other countries over the summer. What are you going to say to young people and those who are the last to be vaccinated that when it comes to international travel they are going to be left behind . Children will be able to travel as if they were double vaccinated even though they havent been vaccinated at all, and, look, as a government we have a choice of simply saying people will never be able to travel until every single last person has been vaccinated, or at least starting to open things up so people can see theirfriends, theirfamily, maybe travel for business. But some are still urging caution about opening up. We can open travel but we have to have the right safety measures in place such as a good testing regime to capture people who bring the virus back from their holidays. The policy is just about what happens entering the uk. Whether other countries will let Uk Travellers in and under what conditions is a different matter. The outlook is sunnier, but travel this summer could still be rocky. Caroline davies, bbc news. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come it was the womens semi Finals Day at wimbledon who is through to the finals . Well have an update from the all England Club. Central london has been rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. Police say there have been many casualties, and there is growing speculation that alqaeda was responsible. Germany will be the hosts of the 2006 football world cup. Theyve pipped the favourite, south africa, by a single vote. In south africa, the possibility of losing hadnt even been contemplated and Celebration Parties were cancelled. The man entered the Palace L through a downstairs window and made his way to the queens private bedroom, then he asked her for a cigarette and, on the pretext of arranging for some to be brought, summoned a footman on duty who took the man away. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change The World. Education is the only solution. This is bbc news, the latest headlines. President biden says the us Military Mission in afghanistan will end on 31 august. The olympic Games Injapan will be held without spectators at venues in and around the capital. A State Of Emergency in tokyo will run throughout the games, to combat coronavirus. Brazils President Bolsonaro is under growing pressure over his handling of the covid pandemic, with protests on the street. More than half A Million people have died with the virus in brazil The Worlds second highest Death Toll, after the us. 0nly13 of the population is fully vaccinated, and around 2,000 people are still dying with the virus every day. Now there fears that the highly contagious Delta Variant could also take hold. 0ur International Correspondent 0rla Guerin reports from Sao Paulo. Brazils agony. Carved into the soil. Fresh graves in Sao Paulo await the new covid dead. Critics accuse President Jair Bolsonaro of presiding over a massacre, with Hundreds Of Thousands of needless deaths. This man was one of them, relatives say. The 62 year old died from covid in may hours after these pictures were taken. The father of five was the heart of his family. His son, felipe, joined the recent Street Protests here against the brazilian leader, seeking justice for his father. For those whove come out on the streets here, this is notjust about Grief And Anger its about political responsibility. They believe that many of the dead are victims of President Bolsonaro, his policies and his inaction, as well as victims of Covid 19. And the pressure on the president is going. The epicentre is here, inside the Modernist Parliament in the capital, brasilia. We met the opposition senator, 0maraziz, leading an enquiry into the handling of the pandemic. His own brother is among the dead. He says the president doesnt believe in science and people have paid. The senate hearings are often heated and have become must watch tv. A Pfizer Executive said its office to supply vaccines last year were ignored by the government for months. And President Bolsonaro has been accused of Negligence And Corruption claims he denies. Here he was just last month, thronged by die hard supporters and setting an example of not wearing a mask. In the midst of a pandemic, leading a bikers rally. He insists the wheels of the economy must keep turning, and says staying at home is for idiots, and its time to stop whining and crying. Brazil is. The president guaranteed that Covid 19 would spread, according to pedro hallal, The Epidemiologist Leading brazils largest study on the virus. Everything that you should not do, brazil has done. Pretty much everything. So, brazil has said that the pandemic would not be important oh, its just a little flu our president said, oh, its coming to an end. In april last year, then he said that the vaccines were not safe. This statement from the president himself was that they produce damage and they killed people. And this is what needs to be said. Many protesters go further, accusing the president of genocide. They want him out. For now, hes going nowhere, but the bereaved are hoping there will be a reckoning. 0rla guerin, bbc news, brasilia. Ive been speaking to sam cowie, whos a journalist based in brazil. I asked him whether President Bolsonaro believed the science surrounding the coronavirus. Well, whether he believes in it or not, or whether he has just put science to one side to keep the economy going, as was mentioned in the report, is a different question. Certainly from his behaviour, we could suggest that he doesnt believe in science hes blasted vaccines, hes blasted the use of facemasks, Cast Doubt pretty much on all of the scientific measures, such as social distancing. Anything that basically prevents covid, hes basically blasted and said, come on, we have to get the economy moving again, more people will die from hunger. Well, of course, most experts point out its been very clear, if you look at the rest of the countries in The World, that you cant get your Economy Running if you have thousands of people dying from covid each day. So brazils basically in that mess right now in that situation, with a dreadful economic crisis on the horizon and, you know, 2,000 people continuing to die each day amidst slow Vaccine Roll outs. How popular is he . He continues to hold a very strong and loyal support base. Approval ratings have dropped to record lows, but its still about 24 of the population, according to latest opinion polls. A lot of people make the comparison with donald trump, that he has these Die Hard Loyalist followers. As the economy gets worse and as the covid Death Toll continues upwards, itll be interesting to see how many of these supporters remain loyal. He also has many loyal supporters still in congress Brazils Congress is a place known for Horse Trading and hawk barrelled politics. At some point, however, its expected that when the President Cant give these politicians what they want any more which is usually patronage in the form of governmentjobs or funding, basically that at some point, they will abandon him. But whether thatll happen before next years elections, which happen in october 2022, remains to be seen. 0nly13 of the population, were reading, is fully vaccinated. Youre in Sao Paulo, how easy is it to get a jab . Well, look, mine is happening on monday, actually. Here where i am, in Sao Paulo, which is the richest, most populous state in brazil, the uptick has been surprisingly good, actually. Listen, its not a question of necessarily access to the gab getting the jabs into peoples arms is surprisingly efficient. The problem is that the brazilian government basically did not act efficiently and correctly in getting these vaccines in the first place, you know, mass vaccination only really started here injanuary. Whilst, as was mentioned in the report, there were dozens of E Mails from pfizer as the Chief Executive of pfizer gave testimony in the Senate Inquiry dozens, i believe it was 80 E Mails that were unanswered from pfizer. And, you know, theres a Vaccine Scandal here in brazil, where basically, a Chief Whip in congress, an ally of Mr Bolsonaro, has been accused of setting up a Middleman Situation to procure vaccines at a cost, and one of the witnesses in the Senate Inquiry said that Mr Bolsonaro was aware of this and 13 days later, he still hasnt refuted this accusation, denied this accusation. Covid 19 cases and 1,639 new deaths in the past 2a now to wimbledon where the top seed, ashleigh barty, has reached herfirst womens singles final with a straight sets win over the former champion, angelique kerber. Shell Play Karolina Pliskova on saturday. Heres Chetan Pathak at the all England Club we have our wimbledon final, and Ash Barty into herfirst here at these championships, the first australian woman to be in the wimbledon finals since Evonne Goolagong in 1980. Barty getting past the 2018 champion, angelique kerber, in straight sets the first the more convincing of the two, barty winning that 6 3. Kerber fought back with her traditional baseline play, but still, barty, when she needed to, was able to Slice And Dice her way to victory in the moments when it mattered the most. It was tight at a tie break, but barty getting herself over the line a player whos got better and better, round after round in these championships. And awaiting her in the final will be the Czech Eighth seed Karolina Pliskova who, at 29, many had written off from reaching the stage of a Grand Slam again. But pliskova, the 2016 Us Open runner up, was too good for aryna sabalenka, the number two seed in The End. And, despite losing that first set, pliskova fought back in the second and third, winning them 6 4, 6 4. Shed reached the semifinals of all the other Grand Slams before these wimbledon championships. Now shes into the final here, but barty perhaps the big favourite for that one on saturday. As for friday, its mens semiFinals Day the defending champion and, without a doubt, the overwhelming favourite, novak djokovic, takes on canadas denis shapovalov. Whilst in the other match, the big Hitting Matteo berrettini from italy faces roger federer� s conqueror, hubert hurkacz. A drawing of a bear� s head by Leonardo Da Vinci has just sold forjust over 12 million. Measuring just seven centimetres squared, Head Of A Bear is a Silverpoint Drawing on a pink beige paper. The drawing is more than 500 years old. The sketch previously belonged to british Painter And Collector sir thomas lawrence, before being sold at christies in 1860 forjust over 3. Now its gone for a little bit more. See you then. Hello there. The next few days look pretty unsettled, with low pressure always nearby, so were likely to see sunshine and showers not just for friday, but into the weekend and into the start of next week, too. So, for today, these showers will be heavy, much like they were on thursday, and youll see on the Pressure Charts were in between systems, and theres barely any isobars, so the winds are light and the showers will be slow moving again. So, quite a bit of cloud to start this morning, particularly across scotland, where well see some patchy rain in the northeast. The sunshine will get going, though, the best of it in central and eastern areas and this is where well see most of the heavy showers into the afternoon, again, some with Hail And Thunder mixed in. An area of more persistent rain will push into the southwest later in the day. Temperature wise, 20 211 celsius. Now, for wimbledon for friday and into the weekend, therell be a lot of dry weather around with some sunshine, but theres always the chance of catching a heavy shower. Now, as we move through friday night, those heavy showers across central and eastern areas will tend to fade away, many places will turn dry with variable cloud and clear spells. But this Weather Front will bring in persistent rain to South Wales and the southwest of england, slowly moving its way eastwards. Temperature wise, most places sticking in double figures. So, for this weekend, again, its one of sunny spells and scattered showers, though well have that area of rain across southern areas for a while, but that will clear away during the course of saturday, then all areas will see sunny spells and showers. That area of rain could bring some persistent, fairly Heavy Rain to central and Southern England through the morning, eventually clearing away. Elsewhere, after a rather cloudy start, the sunshine will appear, and then, these showers will get going and again, some of them will be heavy with some Hail And Thunder, theyll be relatively slow moving. Temperature wise, 17 22 celsius. As we move out of saturday into sunday, a new area of low pressure pushes into Western Parts of the Uk Thatll bring enhanced showers to the northern and western areas in particular. Again, some of them will be heavy and merge together to produce longer spells of rain in places. Probably the better area to see the driest conditions will be central and eastern parts of england, where well see the best temperatures, 22 23 celsius otherwise, the high teens further north and west. Very unsettled into the start of next week, as well, particularly england and wales could see some very wet weatherfor a while. Then from midweek onwards, it looks like High Pressure wants to build in. Thatll settle things down with increasing sunshine. This is bbc news. The headlines President Biden has defended the withdrawal of us forces from afghanistan at The End of august, saying he could not send another generation of americans to fight there. Mr biden said washington had achieved its initial goal of punishing the perpetrators of the September 11th attacks, but he admitted there was uncertainty with the taliban continuing to gain ground. The japanese government has said that spectators will not be allowed to attend olympic games events at venues in the capital. The government is placing tokyo under a new State Of Emergency from next week because of rising Coronavirus Infections and fears over the new Delta Variant. Brazils President Bolsonaro is coming under increasing pressure over his handling of the covid pandemic, with further protests on the streets. More than half A Million people have died with the virus in brazil, The Worlds second highest Death Toll after the united states. At