The taliban ramp up their offensive on afghan cities, with reports of heavy fighting in Lashkar Gah in helmand province. And large Cruise Ships have been banned from the centre of venice after years of environmental protests. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world. Theres been more success for Team Gb at the Tokyo Olympics with three more medals. Charlotte worthington recovered from a fall in her first run to win gold in the Bmx Freestyle. Britain have won a record eighth medal in the Swimming Pool with silver in the Mens Medley Relay, with Duncan Scott winning his fourth medal of the games. And, The American gymnast, Simone Biles has withdrawn from another olympic event this time in the final of the floor exercise, as she continues to deal with Mental Health issues. Lets find out more about Todays Action from Gavin Ramjaun At Bbc Sport centre. Good morning. Lets start off with the olympic good morning. Lets start off with the Olympic Record good morning. Lets start off with the Olympic Record and good morning. Lets start off with the olympic Record And Caeleb. The olympic Record And Caeleb dressel. ~ ,. , ~ the olympic Record And Caeleb dressel. ~ , ~ ,. , dressel. Absolutely. We will start with the swimming dressel. Absolutely. We will start with the swimming because dressel. Absolutely. We will start with the swimming because it dressel. Absolutely. We will starti with the swimming because it has been a fantastic performance from caeleb dressel, his fifth Gold Medal of the games so far. Bringing more home for the usa in the 50 Metre Freestyle and then part of the mens 4x100 Relay Team with the butterfly leg, winning gold in a record time. They really had to work hard to beat the great britain side, they could still infer, Adam Peaty and duncan Scott Part of the team, eighth medal for britain in the pool, the best ever performance from them in the Swimming Pool. Then they manAged to four goal� s, four silvers and a bronze. Also a good game is the Emma Mckeon of Australia Top she in Olympic Record to wind the 50 Metre Freestyle and helped the australians wind the gold as a team. Her seventh olympic gold which is a new australian record. It isjust olympic gold which is a new australian record. It is just so exciting. 50 australian record. It is ust so excitina. , exciting. So much action in the ool. Exciting. So much action in the pool lets exciting. So much action in the pool lets go exciting. So much action in the pool. Lets go to exciting. So much action in the pool. Lets go to the exciting. So much action in the i pool. Lets go to the achievement exciting. So much action in the pool. Lets go to the achievement of australias women now. Pool. Lets go to the achievement of australias women now. Emma mckeon, the 50 metre australias women now. Emma mckeon, the 50 Metre Winner australias women now. Emma mckeon, the 50 Metre Winner in australias women now. Emma mckeon, the 50 Metre Winner in the australias women now. Emma mckeon, the 50 Metre Winner in the freestyle the 50 Metre Winner in the freestyle but also i wanted to tell you about the bmx because the Bmx Freestyle, it is the first time this event has been at the olympics this year, really exciting event, Charlotte Worthington, she was the Gold Medal Winnerfor Britain in the worthington, she was the Gold Medal winner for britain in the Womens Event and she gave up working as a chef to focus on the spot and she put in an amazing performance to beat Hannah Roberts of the us. A World Class Performance full of flips, backflips. It is worth watching back again because i think this is a sport that will capture many. Charlotte worthington the worthy winner of the gold for the Womens Event and Australias Martin Logan was the two time World Champion and he won the mens event. All attention in Simone Biles, we have been following herjourney at these particular olympics. What is happening come monday . The floor final, she happening come monday . The floor final. She is happening come monday . The floor final, she is not happening come monday . The floor final, she is not competing happening come monday . The floor final, she is not competing in. Happening come monday . The floor final, she is not competing in. She l final, she is not competing in. She is focusing on her Mental Health. She has decided to miss the two finals of individual events today, default and uneven bars. Two events usually dummies and was expected to win golds. She also missed the Team Event and the all around, another event and the all around, another event you would expect her to win gold in. Everyone was expecting for her to build on the four goals from rio, a huge loss for the us but many people in support of what shes doing, taking a break to focus on her Mental Health and Well Being and we do await the news of whether she will compete in the beam. But it looks unlikely that will happen considering we havent seen her improper action so far. Considering we havent seen her improper action so far. Thank you very much improper action so far. Thank you very much for improper action so far. Thank you very much for that improper action so far. Thank you very much for that roundup. Improper action so far. Thank you i very much for that roundup. Thank very much for that round up. Thank you. Young people in england are to be offered incentives, such as discounts from Uber And Deliveroo, to get their Covid I9 vaccinations. Ministers are hoping to make further offers involving cafes and restaurants in the coming weeks to try to improve uptake of the jabs. Simon jones has more. A day out with a difference. A pop up Vaccination Centre was set up last week at the Thorpe Park Theme park in surrey part of a drive to get more younger people vaccinated. Hi, guys. Were doing covid vaccines today. Just over two thirds of adults Aged 18 29 in england have received their first dose. That is a lower uptake than in the wider population. Overall, 88 of people across the uk have had a firstjab. Now there will be new incentives. Uber is to give discounted trips to young adults who get vaccinated. The ride hailing App Bolt will be offering free ride credits to Vaccination Centres. Deliveroo is set to offer vouchers to young people who getjabbed, though how exactly these schemes will work has yet to be revealed. But it is a Carrot And Stick approach. Cheering ministers have warned that they will introduce covid passports in certain places from september, meaning those who have not been vaccinated wont be able to get into nightclubs. Asking festival goers to show proof of their Covid Status is being used at this Weekends Camp bestival Music Event in dorset. You know, weve got very stringent measures here double Vaccination Proof or lateral flow negative test for people over the Age of ii, more sanitation, really great compostable toilets with a lot more Air Space in them, things being wiped down, hand sanitiser. The Uk Isnt the first to try new incentives. In the us, the governor of newjersey launched shot and a beer in may, offering a free drink to those over 21 getting vaccinated. And in colorado, some Vaccination Sites are giving out 100 Supermarket Gift cards to the jabbed. If i can get it, yall can get it. Im a cancer survivor. I recommend yall to have it. The hope is people wontjust grab a vaccine, but a bargain too. With me is our political correspondent pete saull. One of the first questions i will ask is when are we likely to see this Incentive Kick off . We dont know exactly this Incentive Kick off . We dont know exactly when this Incentive Kick off . We dont know exactly when the this Incentive Kick off . We dont know exactly when the vouchers this Incentive Kick off . We dont know exactly when the vouchers will come into place but we know there are several companies involved in the government is negotiating with others also, so Taxi Firms like bubba, delivery companies like deliver real offering codes get discounts. Isabel will offer rides to Vaccination Centres. Uber. There is conversations with supermarkets and cinemas as well, so it could become a widespread but the details are not entirely are there, as is the question when the vouchers will actually come into place. But you would think these are technical companies that will be able to get it up and running very quickly. The . It up and running very quickly. They are u it up and running very quickly. They are up against it up and running very quickly. They are up against it it up and running very quickly. They are up against it because they want to push up the Vaccination Numbers ijy to push up the Vaccination Numbers by the deadline of autumn, but that could be the perfect start with so much happening then. Much happening then. There is concern about much happening then. There is concern about the much happening then. There is concern about the take much happening then. There isj concern about the Take Amount much happening then. There is i concern about the Take Amount of young people, it compares favourably to other countries but you look at the members, two thirds of 18 to 29 Euros have had their first the members, two thirds of 18 to 29 Euros have had theirfirstjab compared to 88. 4 of the wider adult population. I suppose it is obvious that its happened because it is less of an incentive for younger people because they are less at risk to the virus, but in terms of those returning to a level of normality, we need as many people as possible to get the vaccine, hence why you can now go to football stadiums, music festivals, circuses even in halifax im told today, you can get a vaccine, so the government really keen to push ahead with this in time for the autumn. This is a kind of Carrot Approach we are getting from the government now, but the stick comes at The End of september when the government is adamant at that point if you want to get into a nightclub and other large crowded venues can have to have proof of both doses the vaccine. Venues can have to have proof of both doses the vaccine. Thank you very much both doses the vaccine. Thank you very much for both doses the vaccine. Thank you very much for that. Around 4,000 children and young people in scotland will be offered the Pfizer Vaccine before the start of the new School Term Injust over two weeks. It will be on offer to those with conditions which make them more vulnerable to covid 19 such as down� s syndrome, learning disabilities, and illnesses which affect the immune system. It will give them that protection, some protection after that first dose, but well need to wait until the second dose, which will need to be eight weeks after the first dose. So were really looking towards this protection being in place for them into the autumn and through the winter months as well. Rockets have been fired at Kandahar Airport as the taliban continues its offensive against the afghan government. Two of the missiles hit the runway and the airport has now been closed to all flights. The militants are trying to seize three major cities In The South and west. Theyve entered parts of herat, Lashkar Gah, and kandahar afghanistans second biggest city. Lets speak to our afghanistan Correspondent Secunder kermani, in kabul. This offensive continues. Bring us up this offensive continues. Bring us up to date with the latest. Irate this offensive continues. Bring us up to date with the latest. We saw heavy fighting heavy fighting overnight particularly in Lashkar Gah, the capital of helmand province, both afghan and american Air Strikes being used against the taliban positions inside the city. You will remember yesterday beat how a banded advance at one point to around 300 metres from the Governors Compound Right in the centre of Lashkar Gah before being pushed back, Special Forces were flown in, the government says dozens of taliban fighters have been killed. But fighting has been continuing this morning and clashes have also been Taking Place in recent days elsewhere in the country, notably around the cities of herat in the West And Kandahar In The South, Kandahar Airport, three rockets launched hitting the runway last night leading to the closure of the airport today. When it comes to herat, the government say extra reinforcements have now arrived in the city. Taliban forces are not inside herat but they were fighting on the outskirts and clashes continue there. But there reinforcements are making government forces sound a bit more optimistic. I think the most concerning place remains Lashkar Gah at the moment. And i presume as the fighting continues, people continue to flee. Tens of thousands of ordinary afghans have had to flee their homes in recent weeks, caught in the middle of this awful fighting. We heard new statistics out from the afghanistan independent human Rights Commission about civilian casualties, more than 1006 and two people killed injust the casualties, more than 1006 and two people killed in just the first six months of this year alone. The international Military Mission here family comes to an end by september and many fear with the taliban looking emboldened and peace talks not making any real progress, the taliban are going to continue to push in on afghan cities is that they have already captured around half of all territory in the country in more rural areas and a number of border crossings, they havent yet been able to take and retain hold of a major afghan city. It seems that is what they are trying to do whilst afghan forces do their best to prevent them from taking that territory. Prevent them from taking that territo. ,. , ~ prevent them from taking that territo. ,. ,. , prevent them from taking that territo. ,. , territory. Can i ask you quickly, has the speed territory. Can i ask you quickly, has the speed at territory. Can i ask you quickly, has the speed at which territory. Can i ask you quickly, has the speed at which the territory. Can i ask you quickly, i has the speed at which the taliban have moved surprised people . Because this was ongoing whilst talks were Taking Place in doha. Taking place in doha. Fighting has been taking Taking Place in doha. Fighting has been Taking Place Taking Place in doha. Fighting has been Taking Place for Taking Place in doha. Fighting has been Taking Place for a Taking Place in doha. Fighting has been Taking Place for a long Taking Place in doha. Fighting has been Taking Place for a long time | Taking Place in doha. Fighting has. Been Taking Place for a long time in afghanistan, but when we saw the kind of start of the withdrawal of the remaining internationalforces in may, i think many expected the taliban to make some kind of push, to take some amount of territory, but the Scale And Pace at which they have moved has surprised and concerned many. We thought perhaps the taliban may not take an attempt to take the afghan cities, even said that themselves, we are not trying to take any provincial capitals by force, some analysis that they might wait for The End of the Military Mission, but it seems they are so involved with the way things are going, they feel momentum is with them and theyve decided to push ahead anyway. I should be clear we should not write up the chances of the afghan security forces, they had their own air force, their Special Forces which have been widely praised. There are concerns though that they may end up getting exhausted because they are in a state of near constant battle at the moment. ~ state of near constant battle at the moment. , ~ ,. ,. ,. , the headlines on Bbc News Gold for Team Gb� s Charlotte Worthington in the Bmx Freestyle at the tokyo games and silverfor the Mens Medley Relay team. Young people in england to be offered jab incentives such as discounts from Uber And Deliveroo to get their covid vaccinations. The taliban ramp up their offensive on afghan cities with reports of heavy fighting in Lashkar Gah in helmand province. Another step is being taken towards winding down the Uk Governments Furlough Scheme. From today, the State Contribution towards salaries drops to 60 , while employers must now pay 20 . Business groups have warned there could be thousands of redundancies. Heres our Business Correspondent Katy austin. Its been credited with preventing unemployment rising sharply. Now, were in the final two months of Thejob Retention Scheme. The economy has been reopening, but nearly Two Million people were still furloughed at The End ofjune. Receptionist ruby, who is 65. Hi, ruby. Hiya. Has been on full or part time furlough since march last year. Shes grateful for it but the future is unclear. I think theres every possibility that come one october when the Furlough Scheme ends completely, then yes, i will possibly have to start looking for anotherjob. She cant afford to retire yet, so thats a worry. I dont think a lot of employers are happy to employ you if youre over 65. The highest rates of people on furlough used to be among the under 25s. But in the most recent data, weve seen that its Over 60s who are now more likely to be furloughed. And thats concerning because were likely to see a rise in unemployment when Thejob Retention Scheme ends in the autumn, and any workers who are kind of left on furlough are more likely to become unemployed. In its final stAge, the scheme is changing. Previously the government paid 80 of wAges for hours not worked. In july that contribution fell to 70 , with the employer picking up 10 . From today, the government will pay 60 and the employer 20 , until furlough stops at The End of september. The British Chambers Of Commerce estimates a fifth of firms still using it are considering redundancies as the cost to them increases. Its a concern for businesses which are still struggling, like travel Agents. There are still lots of destinations we cant sell. Its come to a point where the money is going to run out. And obviously with the Furlough Scheme, weve been able to keep staff on, or weve kept 50 of the staff on, and itsjust Going Tojust Drain The Money even faster. Furlough will soon become a thing of the past. That means tough decisions for some firms. In a statement, the government told us its helping people of all Ages find the skills they need to get back into work. Katy austin, bbc news. Stuart lewis is the founder of rest less a Job And Community site for the over 50s. Thank you forjoining us. First off, your reaction to the latest step in the Furlough Scheme. The Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is clearly good the Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is clearly good news the Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is clearly good news that the Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is clearly good news that the the Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is l clearly good news that the number the Furlough Scheme. Whilst it is clearly good news that the number of people on furlough is coming down, i think it is clear that the great reopening is not working for everyone and have the latest furlough data shows there is in part on groups at risk of being left behind. We saw from the Case Study that the Over 60s and particularly the over 65 is who throughout the pandemic have had the next highest rate of furlough take up have become the most likely Age-group'>Age Group to be on furlough with 10 of all eligible workers on furlough at The End of june. ~ f , workers on furlough at The End of june. ~ f,. Workers on furlough at The End of june. , � ,. , june. Whys that . Because of the sectors that june. Whys that . Because of the sectors that they june. Whys that . Because of the sectors that they would sectors that they would traditionally be employed in . It is a real mates. Traditionally be employed in . It 3 a real mates. Definitely an impact on the sectors people are working in and the pace of reopening, there is and the pace of reopening, there is an impact because of the likelihood to be employed by a smaller company, we know some other companies have been disproportionately affected and have a higher rate of furlough take up than the large carburettor sections. It is hard to get away from Age discrimination in there, so it makes it harder for workers from Age discrimination in there, so it makes it Harderfor Workers in their 60s to find alternative employment and in some cases we will be seeing employees being brought back more slowly because of their Age. 50 back more slowly because of their are. , back more slowly because of their aye,. ,. , back more slowly because of their ace. ,. , y. , back more slowly because of their are. ,. , back more slowly because of their Age. So what are you calling for . What would Age. So what are you calling for . What would help . Age. So what are you calling for . What would help . If Age. So what are you calling for . What would help . If the Age. So what are you calling for . What would help . If the government has made it clear it wants us to work until 65, 66 and we need earlier intervention for workers in their 60s. There are simple policies, for mandatory reporting and working Ages to early intervention for those made redundant with tailored retraining programmes to help them transition from sectors in decline to some of the sectors we are reading about that are really struggling to find candidates. We think there is a case of the government to consider financial incentives with a works with the young and has been trialled in australia. ~ with the young and has been trialled in australia. , ~ ,. , with the young and has been trialled in australia in australia. Thank you very much indeed. Large Cruise Ships have been banned from the centre of venice, after years of environmental protests. Vessels of more than 25,000 tonnes will no longer be allowed to dock in the central canal. Campaigners and residents say the ships pollute the air and water, and cause erosion. Our Rome Correspondent Mark lowen reports. Its been venices david versus goliath. For years, protests by locals in their small boats against the mammoth Cruise Liners clogging its waterways. Critics say they pollute, damAge Venices Ecosystem and erode foundations with their large waves. Finally, victory. From today, any ship over 25,000 tonnes is now banned from the citys central canal. They brought a significant amount of Fear And Hopelessness because every time we saw one of these ships coming towards us in piazza san marco, it just brought to the front of our minds just how little everybody cares about venice as Age'>World HeritAge and about environmental and Social Justice in general. The Cruise Ships have been seen as symptoms of venices over tourism. Hordes of Day Trippers not the model of sustainable tourism many here want. And theyve contributed to the flooding thats long plagued venice. The High Tide in 2019 the worst in 50 years, inundating St Marks square and devastating homes and businesses. A new port in the nearby city of marghera will be fast tracked for the Cruise Liners, but those depending on the industry are worried. Translation such a decision taken so quickly without planning is absurd. In our opinion it is evil and a crime against the workers. � La Serenissima venice was called the most serene. But its beauty is fragile. The battle over who can drift through the city of water might now help preserve this jewel of civilisation. Mark lowen, bbc news, rome. Francesco galietti is italys national director at the cruising line international association. Thank you forjoining us. Your thoughts first on the band. The Ban Is Ust Art Thoughts first on the band. The Ban Isjust Part of thoughts first on the band. The Ban Isjust Part of the thoughts first on the band. The Ban Isjust Part of the comprehensive i is just part of the comprehensive development. The way we look at this is the italian government has finally said that wood is the solution, the government, the authorities are going to send ships to marghera. We want away leeds away, so this is very welcome news. For many years, we have been accused of wanting to do something, sailing by saint marks square, where in reality we have no alternative. Can Ou Reality we have no alternative. Can you outline reality we have no alternative. Can you outline quickly what sort of damAge our Cruise Ships or the industry was doing. The we understand the biology, but what about the architecture of the buildings . About the architecture of the buildinus . ,. ,. , ,. , buildings . There are several aspects and we are very buildings . There are several aspects and we are very mindful buildings . There are several aspects and we are very mindful of buildings . There are several aspects and we are very mindful of our and we are very mindful of our presence in venice. Let me start with saying we care a lot about venice and that is why we have been asking to go somewhere else and that is what we are finally getting. In terms of actual impact, there are several common that have been proven wrong by third party evidence. Let me for instance discuss pollution, Air Pollution in particular. It turns out that the peak of pollution in venice occurred in the years where there was absolutely no Cruise Ship in venice at all. And there are several other of these instances of these examples that can be used. So we care a lot and we do not want to be weaponised to have those examples weaponised against us. Weaponised against us. Quickly, marghera. Weaponised against us. Quickly, marghera. Any weaponised against us. Quickly, marghera, any confirmation weaponised against us. Quickly, marghera, any confirmation as L Weaponised against us. Quickly, | marghera, any confirmation as to when that period so well be ready and i are passengers happy port. There will be special powers granted to a special commissioner, the idea is there will be new facilities in place in time for the start of next years season, so spring 2022. The happiness of passengers, i think passengers care a lot about venice. Thank you, we have Ran Out Of Time both. You thank you, we have Ran Out Of Time you are watching bbc news. Theres evidence people drank more heavily during the pandemic. Injuly, public Health England reported a 21 year on Year Increase in deaths from alcohol related liver disease. But now, heavy Alcohol Consumption seems to be falling. A recent survey showed one in five people in Newcastle And Darlington in the north of england have cut back on their drinking. From there, Phil Connell reports. Its a region that likes to party with many of our towns and cities known for their drinking culture. But he had in the North East its an imAge that may be changing. New research shows increasing numbers of adults living here are turning their back on booze preferring instead a life without it. People are taking more of a conscious approach about what theyre actually putting into their bodies. Not only will they feel better, their Mental Health will be better and they will look better. According to public Health England, the North East� s most sober place is newcastle, with more than 21 of adults quitting booze completely. Darlington at 18. 2 is second, with northumberland named as the regions worst place for sobriety with only 10. 2 choosing to stay sober. Figures suggest in darlington, at least one in six people are teetotal. Im vegan as well so its a lifestyle choice, really. Id like a glass of wine and he doesnt drink. I havent drunk for about two months now. I think the old fashioned Boozer Game of Darts And Paint and a pie and fisticuffs at The End of the night has all gone now. For most its our way of life they are happy to enjoy with sensible drinking still good advice. Prime minister Borisjohnsons Wife Carriejohnson says she feels blessed and incredibly grateful to be pregnant again after having a miscarriAge at the start of this year. The couple who also have a one year old son, wilfred are expecting their new arrival around christmas. Charities have praised Mrs Johnson for sharing her experience of miscarriAge. I think it can only be helpful to open up the conversation about miscarriAge. To understand, actually to know some of the facts, but also to understand the whole range of feelings that people have which are so often to do with who they are but also what this pregnancy means for them. And well be taking an in Depth Look at the papers with our reviewersjessica elgot, Deputy Political Editor at the guardian, and martin lipton, chief Sports Reporter at the sun. Thats coming up after the latest headlines and a full sport update. Now its time for a look at the weather with stav. Not a bad afternoon. We have plenty of dry Weather Today with some good spells of sunshine, but this weak Weather Front In The South will bring further showers and some of them could be quite heavy. Motherly winds across much of the country making it feel rather cool for early others, particularly around the North Sea coast. Variable cloud in the north with sunny spells, most of the north with sunny spells, most of the showers in Southern England and some could be heavy and thundery. Temperatures range from 1a to 20 degrees In The South. Into monday, we have the ridge of high pressure bringing some sunshine but there were still be showers also, particularly Northern Ireland and england and wales into the afternoon could see heavy and thundery showers. It mainly drier than others with variable cloud and sunny spells. It looks pretty similar on tuesday and wednesday, sunshine and heavy showers, but by The End of the week it turns very unsettled with some wet and windy weather. Hello. This is bbc news. Im lukwesa burak. Another gold for Team Gb at the tokyo games Charlotte Worthington wins a dramatic Bmx Park Freestyle final. There was a record eighth medal in the pool for Team Gb in the mens 4 by 100 metre medley relay. And a seventh olympic medal for Emma Mckeon as australia win the womens race