Lets cross now to the scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who is making a virtual statement to msps she is set to reveal whether her government will lift most legal Covid Restrictions. I will set out a number of mitigation conditions. I will summarise the key points from new guidance being published today on arrangements for the start of The New School year. Let me start by summarising todays statistics. The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 1016 which is 8. 1 of all tests. There are 406 people receiving Host Tokyo and 61 people receiving Host Tokyo and 61 people receiving Host Tokyo and 61 people receiving Intensive Care which has won more than yesterday. Sadly nine further deaths were reported over the last 24 hours taking the total number of registered is death and the daily definition to 7952. As always i want to convey my sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one. I can also report that 4,014,000 212 people have now received a first dose of vaccine and 3,231,331 have no had both doses of vaccine. All of these figures are broadly in line with the trend that has been evidenced further past four weeks. The number of new cases in scotland reached a peak in earlyjuly. At that time more than 400 new cases per 100,000 of the population were being recorded each week. That has now fallen by two thirds from 425 per 100,000 at the peak to 144 now based on our most recent figures. And although as we can see today this fluctuates on a daily basis, the average proportion of tests that are positive have fallen from more than 10 to know less than 6 . Thankfully, the number of people in hospital With Covid is also falling. In the past two weeks it has reduced from 529 patients to 406. The number of people in Intensive Care now seems to be declining albeit gradually as well. All of this is good news and i think it demonstrates the value of taking a careful and steady approach to easing restrictions. Another reason for this progress is of course they continued success of the Vaccination Programme. All over 18 year olds have now had the opportunity to receive at least one dose of their vaccine and all over 40 year olds have been offered both doses. These were key milestones were moving beyond level zero. These milestones have been met and take up a vaccination has been exceptional by any previous standard or indeed by comparison with our expectations. 90 of vote met over 18 year olds have had one dose of the vaccine and 72 of all over 18 year olds have had both doses. 93 of over 40 year olds have had both doses of vaccine and for those over 60, take up vaccine and for those over 60, take up for both doses is as close to 100 as could reasonably be hoped for. There is of course still more to do and i want to stress this point especially amongst 18 to 29 year olds. Take up in that Age Group has been good relative to our initial expectations but we wanted to be better. That is why for example we are deploying walking and mobile Vaccination Centres across the country. I can confirm that preparatory work is under way for the next phases of vaccination. Invitations for vaccines are now going out to 12 to 17 year olds with specific Health Conditions that make them more vulnerable to covid and this follows recent advice from the joint committee of vaccination and immunisation and we have expected to offer the first dose by The End of august. In addition i can advise parliament that we are hoping to receive in the next few days updated advice from the jvc i in their possible vaccination of others in younger Age Groups and we stand ready to implement any recommendations as soon as possible. We are preparing to deliver a boosterjags in the autumn for those already vaccinated if that is indeed recommended. The Vaccination Programme therefore is likely to continue for some time to come, it may become a feature of life. But it has already saved many lives and achieved a huge amount of success and i am very grateful to everyone who has and continues to help deliver it. Its his the combination of the steady decline in cases, the success of vaccination, helping to weaken the link between cases and serious illness and of course our understanding of the social, health and economic harms continued restrictions because all underpinned by our obligation to ensure that any restrictions that remain in place are lawful. In other words that they are lawful. In other words that they are both necessary and proportionate that forms the basis for our Decision Today to move beyond level zero. The move beyond level zero will entail the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions, most notably on physical distancing and the size of social gatherings but it means from the 9th Of August No Venues will be legally required to close. This change is significant and it is hard earned. The Sacrifices Everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated, however while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality it is important to be clear that it does not signal The End of the pandemic. 0ra return to does not signal The End of the pandemic. Or a Return To Life exact day as we knew it before covid struck. Declaring freedom from our victory over the spiders is in my view premature. The harm the virus can do including through the impact of Long Covid should not be underestimated and its ability mutate me yet poses real challenges. Even as we make this Move Care and caution will still be required which is why i now want to focus on the protections and guidance that will remain in place after august nine. Firstly, it will continue to to be the law that face coverings must be the law that face coverings must be worn in all the same indoor settings as is the case now. We will keep this under review but my expectation is that face coverings are likely to be mandated in law for some time to come. Second, test and protect will continue to contact his positive cases to assist with this though be an ongoing requirement for indoor hospitality and similar venues to collect Contact Details of customers. While i will set out shortly there will be a change to the approach for South Isolation for close contacts of positive cases, anyone required to self isolate will be able to have access to support. Thirdly, they will work closely with local Incident Management teams on appropriate Outbreak Control measures including the use of localised restrictions in future if necessary. We will continue to use Travel Restrictions as and when necessary to restrict the spread of outbreak and protect against the mutation of new variants. We will advise Home Working were possible for now. I know most businesses are not planning a wholesale return to the office might recognise that every time for some staff will be beneficial to them and to employers. But it is vital that this gradual approach continues. We will encourage employers to continue the longer term, as indeed the Scottish Government is doing, a Hybrid Model of Home And Office working which may have benefits beyond the need to control a virus. While we expect to see the careful return of large scale events, we will for a limited period keep in place the processes through which organisers of outdoor events of more than 5000 and indoor events of more than 2000 will have to apply for permission. This is allowing as in local authorities simply to be assured the arrangements in place to reduce the risk of large scale gatherings. And last by no means least, we will continue to issue clear guidance to assist individuals and businesses to reduce the risk of transmission as much as possible. Rigorous hygiene including regular handwashing will continue to be essential. Good ventilation will also be important. I will set out shortly our attention to Strength And Guidance on ventilation and skills but we will work across the public and private sector groups to improve ventilation. And even though there will or will not stipulate physical distancing from monday, we will continue to advise the public that especially indoors, keeping a safe distance from people and households will minimise risk. We will engage with businesses and Issue Guidance is necessary to ensure safe environments for staff and customers are provided and reduce the risk of outbreaks. I can also confirm that we continue to consider very carefully the possible, albeit limited use of covid State Certification to access to certain high risk venues in future. We are currently developing an app to make access to certificates which will include vaccination details easier for International Travel. This will be launched next month. The app will have functionality to support the use of such certificates for Domestic Setting should we decide this as appropriate. However i want to assure parliament that we do not underestimate the ethical equity and Human Rights issues associated with Covid Status Certification and we will keep members up dated and consulted on our thinking on this issue. The decisions i am confirming today reflect the fact that principally due to vaccines we are now in a different stage of this pandemic. Vaccination has weakened the link between Case Numbers and serious health harms and that means it is no longer appropriate or necessary and therefore not necessarily even lawful for us to rely as heavily as we did previously on Blanket Rules and regulations. That is something that will be welcome for many but a source of anxiety for some. The Chief Medical Officer will be writing to those who have been at the highest risk of covid who might have been asked to shield to provide advice and it information and provide assurance that they can return to a greater need of normality. The needs of this group will not be ignored now or in the future. I want to turn to the changes we propose to the current rules on South Isolation to ensure they remain reasonable and proportionate. These. Are those who have symptoms of Who Test Positive for covid will still be required to self isolate as now. However from the 9th Of August an aduu however from the 9th Of August an adult who is identified as a close contact for someone who has tested positive will no longer be required automatically to self isolate for ten days. If someone is double vaccinated with two weeks of the second dose and if they have no symptoms, they should get a Pcr Test as soon as possible and if it is negative, Self Isolation can then be ended. As Pcr Results come back quickly, this will reduce the amount of time that many people will need to spend on Self Isolation. We are proposing a similar change for People Age 17 and under, most of whom are not yet eligible for vaccination. If a young person aged 517 is vaccination. If a young person aged 5 17 is identified as a close contact, they will need to take at Pcr Test but they can end isolation if they test negative. Children under the age of five will be encouraged but not required to get tests. Test and protect will implement revised guidance. This means that the Blanket Isolation of whole classes will no longer be routine instead a more targeted approach will identify close contacts at highest risk of infection. The fewer young people who are asked to self isolate and most will be asked to self isolate for a much shorter period of time. 0bviously for a much shorter period of time. Obviously this is important as we approach the start of The New School year, so let me turn to the wider arrangements for the return of skills and updated guidance has been published today. As a consequence of the new approach to isolation which is important to minimise disruption to education and in line from advice from expert advisory group, we have decided to retain for the first six weeks of the new academic term most of the other mitigations that are currently in place in schools. This reflects the unique environment of schools where large numbers of unvaccinated children and young people makes this adult star. For up to six weeks, subject centre review, there will be required requirement for staff to keep a Metre Distance from each other and young people on the School Estate and after careful consideration, to retain the current requirements forface consideration, to retain the current requirements for face coverings in schools for staff and children aged 12 or over. That includes asking young people and staff in secondary schools to wear face coverings during lessons and well inside school buildings. I am acutely aware that many, many young people find this really difficult and so it will be kept under review but for now we consider this an important protection for them and for others in the school. The expert Advisory Subgroup has emphasised the importance of good ventilation and we are strengthening guidance in this regard. Many local authorities have taken this regard. Many local authorities have Ta Ken steps to this regard. Many local authorities have taken steps to improve ventilation in the School Estate and this work is highlighted the value of c02 monitors. These are useful in assessing how well ventilated as spaces and how likely it is the virus could be present. The new guidance will make clear that skills and daycare services for schools must have access to monitoring to fix or mobile devices and should be used to assess the Quality Ventilation in schools and Childcare Settings and identify any necessary improvements. These assessments will be ongoing over the coming weeks but we expect them to be completed are necessary improvements identified by the October Half term. I can confirm we are making available to local authorities an additional £10 million to support this work. Ventilation is one of the most important ways in which the risk of Covid Transmission can be reduced and improving it will be vital for now and the future to ensure schools and Childcare Centres are safe. Local authorities and schools will ask all secondary pupils and staff to take a lateral Flow Test one or two days before returning after the holidays and then to take a test twice a week after that. This continues to be an important additional way in which covid can be identified even in people who dont have symptoms. We are working with the further and higher Education Sector and plans for the year ahead. Specific guidance on operating beyond level 04 universities and colleges has been published. Students will be encouraged to take a Pcr Test before any move to term time accommodation and to test twice a week after that. The last year and a week after that. The last year and a half has been and this inevitably will be an understatement, it has been difficult and stressful for young people and children, staff and parents and those working in educational settings. Parents and those working in educationalsettings. I parents and those working in educational settings. I am grateful for them for the Understanding And Cooperation shown. The new town will bring challenges. There is little doubt of that but i hope it will also bring fewer disruptions and allow a much more normal Learning Environment for all of our young people. Todays decisions are in my view and i hope those listening will agree, positive. They are possible only because of vaccination and the prolonged sacrifices of people across the country. 0nce Prolonged Sacrifices of people across the country. Once again i want to convey my deep appreciation of that to everyone across the nation. Their last year has reminded all of usjust nation. Their last year has reminded all of us just how precious some of the simplest things in life really are. And many of as i suspect will resolve not to take them quite so much for granted in future. Undoubtedly the best way of doing that in the short term is to continue to be careful, cautious and sensible even as legal restrictions are lifted. The government will provide guidance to help get that balance right. We all hope, i know i certainly do, that the restrictions we lift next monday will never again have to be reimposed but No One can guarantee that. This virus remains a threat and as we enter winter, it may well pose challenges for us again. As we have done throughout, the government will take whatever action it needs to keep the country safe but as ben threat, we all have a part to play to keep it under control. Counterintuitive perhaps it is when we left restrictions and inevitably give the virus more opportunities to spread that it becomes even more important for us to remember the basic actions that can reduce risk. I want to end by stressing again what all of us can do to help ensure that this Neck Step forward is a sustainable one. The first and most important thing is to get vaccinated. If you have not done so, particularly if you are in the younger Age Groups, please do so. You can register on the Nhs Website for an appointment or by going to a drop in centre. Please test yourself regularly, three lateral Flow Tests are available from Test Sites and local pharmacies. If you test positive for one of these or if you have symptoms of the virus, you should still self isolate and get a Pcr Test. Third, stick to the rules on face coverings and be sensible about the things we know ken keep as and each other say. Things we know ken keep as and each othersay. Be things we know ken keep as and each other say. Be outdoors as much as possible as long as we have reasonable weather. If you are meeting indoors, Open Windows. They better ventilated room is, the safer we will be. Avoid crowded indoor places even if no longer legally mandated, these are sensible precautions and continue to wash your hands and surfaces as much as possible. In short, enjoy being able to do more and meet up more. We have all waited a long time for that but please protect yourself as you do so principally through vaccination and continue to take the greatest of care. If we all do that we increase our chances of keeping the virus under control, we will protect ourselves and our Loved Ones and we will safely and securely return to the ways of life that we all value so much. Thank you, presiding officer. I look now to be open to questions. Officer. I look now to be open to question officer. I look now to be open to questions. The First Minister will take questions questions. The First Minister will take questions on questions. The First Minister will take questions on issues questions. The First Minister will take questions on issues raised i questions. The First Minister will| take questions on issues raised in her statement. Ilo 90 minutes for questions her statement. Ilo 90 minutes for questions after which we will onto the next questions after which we will onto the next item of listeners. I call douglas the next item of listeners. I call Douglas Ross. The next item of listeners. I call Douglas Ross the next item of listeners. I call Douglas Ross the next item of listeners. I call dou~las ross. , ~ ,. Douglas ross. Thank you very much. The success Douglas Ross. Thank you very much. The success of Douglas Ross. Thank you very much. The success of scotland Douglas Ross. Thank you very much. The success of scotland and Douglas Ross. Thank you very much. The success of scotland and the Douglas Ross. Thank you very much. J the success of scotland and the uks Vaccination Scheme means we can now look to move forward and remove almost all Covid Restrictions. My party called for the easing of restrictions to happen as planned. We highlighted the need for rules and social distancing to be removed so that businesses can get back to normal trading. We sought changes to the Self Isolation rules are those double vaccinated and a move towards a test system. Ending Blanket Requirement to self isolate for ten days. We have argued for some time for changes to Self Isolation for children in schools. To prevent their Learning Experience from being disrupted further. For the same reason, we wanted to see the requirement for facemasks and schools be removed. We propose these steps because the vaccine is working, it is saving lives and limiting the spread of the Virus And Thatis limiting the spread of the virus and that is why i would urge everybody to go out and get it. We are pleased the government has listened to our suggestions. However overall Todays Statement is a mixed bag. Take some welcome in the right direction but these ongoing restrictions will hold Scotlands Recovery back. When Scotlands Recovery back. When scotland moved to level zero, some people were rightly confused because level zero in place no restrictions, yet many restraints remained in place. We have now moved the on level zero. Again people would rightly assume that this means that Covid Restrictions have been dropped but still curbs remain in place. Yet again the goalposts have been moved. We are beyond level zero, at level 1 we are beyond level zero, at level 1 or level 2 and still the government is clinging on to large parts of peoples lives. Events will have capacity restraints, the threat of local towns remain. Home working are still being enforced and social distancing is in a very grey area where the legal restriction has gone but the guidance remains in place and enforce. Clear communication is essential to maintaining Public Trust and compliance. There isnt much clear on many fronts in the statement. People have gone through a lot, they have sacrificed and tolerated severe constraints on their lives. They have done this with impressive dedication because it was necessary in the public Health Information deported those decisions. But these without full justification or a clear idea of what comes next. Can i ask the First Minister, are you seriously considering in the future imposing another look down or introducing a Travel Ban where people cannot leave their local area. Travel ban where people cannot leave their localarea. If Travel Ban where people cannot leave their local area. If so, Travel Ban where people cannot leave their localarea. If so, how Travel Ban where people cannot leave their local area. If so, how will that be enforced . When will the window and social distancing lengths all the barriers are removed . And finally can i ask, given the scale of Scotlands Drug Deaths Crisis and heartbreaking loss of life, even at this late hour will she finally step up this late hour will she finally step up and meet her Governments Response this afternoon . First minister. On response this afternoon . First minister. On that response this afternoon . First minister. On that last response this afternoon . F st minister. On that last point, the minister. On that last point, the ministerfor minister. On that last point, the minister for Drugs Policy are standing ready to make a Statement And Scotland boss Mike Drugs deaths statistics after i have finished taking this statement. She reports directly to me and i will continue to make sure that this government addresses that challenge and takes the action necessary. Angela will see more on that later. Listening i was struggling to understand whether or not he had listened to the same statement that i delivered to the chamber. I spent every single day since march last year trying to deliver a Clear Communication. I am sure i have not always succeeded, i readily concede that. Sometimes it feels like Douglas Ross and his colleagues have tried to undermine the Clear Communication and i got a whiff of that again today. Let me try and take him through it again today. Douglas ross is right the tories have called for most of the changes i have announced today. The differences they called for these changes to be made at a time when it would not have been safe to do so. They would have put people more at risk and that is why we have continued to take a safe, cautious and steady pace through our exit from lockdown. I think that is right and proper and i will continue to do that whatever i get back for that. We will leave Nicola Sturgeon there, the scottish First Minister giving her response to Douglas Ross, the leader of the opposition. Use our alisonjohnstone who is the presiding officer, green msp, rather like the speaker in the house of commons. It is a virtual session of the Scottish Parliament. As had been predicted from the 9th Of August, thatis predicted from the 9th Of August, that is next monday, most of the restrictions in scotland will be lifted. Some remain, the legal requirement to wear fast Face Max indoors in shops. That is an important one and we will be hearing who will talk about the impact of that on the night time economy. In the restrictions of seeing other centres and socialising in dos and outdoors, those are disappearing. Social distancing will not be illegal requirement but will be encouraged in built up situations. 0ne encouraged in built up situations. One of the most interesting thing she had to say, the suggestion that it wouldnt even be legally allowed for the government to continue with these restrictions given the risk has not been continued. If the risk has not been continued. If the risk has been mitigated, therefore the legaljustification has been mitigated, therefore the legal justification for these extensive powers that governments have taken in all parts of the uk including their british government, might not be there. You can follow coverage of the rest of that statement, the questions in the Scottish Parliament, on the bbc parliament channel. And also on bbc online. Lets get more from our Scotland Reporter Alexandra Mackenzie what were the highlights for you . It was quite a lot of detail in there, quite a lot for people to digests. The whole of scotland at the moment is in level zero but that does still mean there are quite a few restrictions. From monday, the First Minister was confirming, this was expected, scotland would finally move out of the Level System. We have been in this Level System since the beginning of november, so quite a long time. That means that most of the remaining restrictions will be dropped. As Nicola Sturgeon said they are, some restrictions are still going to remain in place. It sounded like especially with masks, that will remain in place for quite some time. She did talk about social distancing. At the moment many places have one metre social distancing like hospitality. Social distancing like hospitality. Social distancing will go in most Circumstances so that will be good news to many people. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, nightclubs in scotland are going to be able to reopen. We have heard an awful lot from Business Owners and Nightclub Owners of the past few months when they have been able to see other people open up, they are one of the final businesses who have not been able to open up. Now they will be able to do so from monday. Lots of preparations for them through the weekend. Large events for the first time, they will be able to take place without social distancing but there will still be some restrictions in there. She also talked quite a lot about schools, children are obviously on holiday at the moment but we go back to school earlier in scotland than in other parts of the uk. So the one metre social distancing rules in schools for between pupils and teachers, is going to remain in place for at least six weeks. That will be reviewed and mask wearing in secondary schools, that is also going to continue and also younger people in public school transport, they will continue to wear their masks to and from school. She talked about Self Isolation in schools and the general community. In whole classes of children, they are not going to have to self isolate going forward if one pupil gets covid. That will make things a lot easier in schools. It will only be the very close contact of that child. Pupils and staff are going to have to take lateral Flow Tests before returning to school and then take lateral Flow Tests twice a week after that. Self isolation rules will change in general. If you have been double vaccinated, and two weeks have passed, then you if you had a pain, you will self isolate until you get an ever active test. That will be good news for many people. Mask wearing is going to stay when you go shopping. You will still have to wear a mask when you go on Public Transport and when you are walking around pubs and restaurants. And finally another thing that stood out for me was working. She was cautious on that as well. She talked about a very gradual return to work, not a complete return to work for people from the ninth. But also encouraging a hybrid of working, some working from home and getting people to the office slowly. Now its time to catch up with the Sporting Action. Now its time to catch up with the Sporting Action good afternoon. Britain have their first medal on the track and what a stunning performance it was from Keely Hodgkinson who took silver in the womens 800 metres. Shesjust 19 and competing in a tough field, she came second behind americas athing mu in a time of1 minute, 55. 88 seconds a personal best, and british record. Elation for her. She pipped the highly fancied american raevyn Rogers Butjust missing out for britain wasjemma reekie, edged out into fourth, with Alex Bell in 7th. Within the last hour, Elaine Thompson Herah has completed the Womens Sprint double. The jamaican has won the 200 metres, to go with her 100 Metres Title she surged to victory in 21. 53 seconds, just short of a long Standing World Record held by florence griffithjoyner. It means that Thompson Herah completes the double double after achieving golds in the same events at rio in 2016. Namibias Christine Mboma and Usas Gabrielle Thomas took Silver And Bronze respectively. There were three medals for Team Gb in the sailing earlier today. Including two golds the first from dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell getting first place in the Mens 49er. Then Giles Scott successfully defended his 0lympic finn title. And there was a silver for Anna Burnet and John Gimson in the mixed Nacra 17 class. Jess softley was watching. Team gb has never won gold in the Mens 49er class until now. British pair dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell were well placed for a medal but would need to get ahead of New Zealand to keep their points up. It came down to a thrilling end with the kiwis back in third it was a dramatic race to the finish with germany. Mere centimetres between them. Right on the line Great Britain win the Medal Race and with it the Gold Medal in tokyo 2020 if that wasnt enough drama for you, Giles Scott was up next in the Mens Finn, a Class Gb has won consecutively for the last six 0lympics. He didnt have the best of starts but quickly made up time. Giles needed a top five finish to retain his Gold Medal. He has to start overtaking. His experience showed in the final stretch as he sailed into fourth place. Giles scott at the line holds onto the Gold Medal . And into the history books. Jess softley, Bbc News. Two Track Cycling medals for Team Gb, with golden Couple Jason and Laura Kenny both adding to their already impressive haul. A silver in the Team Sprint Forjason means he draws level with Bradley Wiggins on eight medals as britians most decorated 0lympian. Going into the final against The Netherlands, Team Gb had far too much work to do in the final lap. Kenny, along with Ryan Owens and jack carlin, battled but had to settle for silver beaten comprehensively by the dutch team who set a new 0lympic record. Laura kenny was denied a fifth olympic gold her Team Pursuit Team were forced into silver by germany who broke the World Record. Team gb were aiming forthe gold, but katie archibald, kenny, Neah Evans and Josie Knight were shocked by a Germany Team who took almost two seconds off their previous World Record time in an emphatic victory. So silverfor Team Gb, but kenny has the chance of gold in the Omnium Or Madison later in the week. In the boxing, there was a silver for Great Britains pat mccormack after he lost to cubas Roniel Iglesias in the Welterweight Final. Mccormack had been ranked as the top seed, but lost on unanamous points after an impressive performance from iglesias, whos now won three 0lympic medals. Mccormack� s silver means Team Gb has secured a record six medals in the Boxing Events at tokyo. And away from the Olympics Tottenham Striker Harry Kane has again failed to report to the Clubs Training Ground as a Stand Off over his future continues. Kane didnt appear at the scheduled time yesterday for a coronavirus test, after a three Week Break following euro 2020. He is expected back at training by The End of the week. Talks are expected between both parties, but its understood kane believes he has a gentlemans agreement with Chairman Daniel Levy to leave the club. Manchester city remain keen on signing the 28 year old. And ahead of the decisive third test, british and irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has made a series of changes to his squad to face south africa. Among them, ken 0wens, wynjones, ali price, bundee aki, Josh Adams and Liam Williams all start in cape town. Faf De Klerk and Pieter Steph Du Toit both miss out for the springboks through injury. After winning the first test 22 17, the lions were beaten 27 9 by the springboks last weekend setting up a Winner Takes all clash this weekend. Promises to be exciting and hopefully we will also get some more medals in the olympics. Going well on the track so far. Thats all the sport for now. Lets get some reaction to the news that Nicola Sturgeon has announed that scotland will remove most of its remaining coronavirus restrictions from monday and end the use of its Levels System. Lets get reaction now from Mike Grieve whos the chairman of the night time industries association scotland. Thanks forjoining us. The big news is that Nicola Sturgeon says there will no longer be any requirement for any business to shut because of covid and presumably the businesses most directly affected by that are things like nightclubs . That most directly affected by that are things like nightclubs . Things like nightclubs . That is correct. But things like nightclubs . That is correct. But sadly, things like nightclubs . That is correct. But sadly, the things like nightclubs . That is. Correct. But sadly, the seeming reopening of nightclubs is a false dawn, really, with the continued mandating facemasks. Ive got a overwhelming sense of frustration about this. We have been asking the Scottish Government to clarify what was meant when the First Minister said a month ago that no major restrictions would be left on the 11th Of August and even last wednesday we asked senior advisers of the government if they do clarify this urgently because we are all investing in our premises and getting ready for this 9th of August Date and lo and behold we are not going to be able to reopen. Facemasks make it impossible. Can Ou Facemasks make it impossible. Can you Exolain Facemasks make it impossible. Can you explain why . I can understand why physical distance and could not be possible in a nightclub but facemasks, that clearly is a restriction, but that is not something which is impossible to deal with . Something which is impossible to dealwith . ~ ,. , deal with . Absolutely impossible on a number of deal with . Absolutely impossible on a number of counts. Deal with . Absolutely impossible on a number of counts. Have deal with . Absolutely impossible on a number of counts. Have you deal with . Absolutely impossible on a number of counts. Have you tried l a number of counts. Have you tried drinking a bottle of beer with a Facemask On . How are staff meant to monitor people taking fast masks on and off . Facemasks. The Scottish Government have said they are not maintaining seated drinking as a mandatory requirement but vertical drinking which basically means standing up is impossible with a Facemask On so how do you equate moving around with a Facemask On and drinking, never mind dancing . What drinking, never mind dancing . What about doinu drinking, never mind dancing . What about doing the drinking, never mind dancing . What about doing the drinking sitting down and then going on the Dance Floor . In down and then going on the Dance Floor . ,. , down and then going on the Dance Floor . ,. , down and then going on the Dance Floor . ,. ,. , floor . In that case, in most cases Nightclubs Floor . In that case, in most cases nightclubs will floor . In that case, in most cases nightclubs will be floor . In that case, in most cases nightclubs will be restricted floor . In that case, in most cases nightclubs will be restricted to nightclubs will be restricted to less than 20 of their capacity. It is completely uneconomical and unviable. ,. , � ~ is completely uneconomical and unviable. , a, unviable. You dont think any nightclubs unviable. You dont think any nightclubs will unviable. You dont think any nightclubs will reopen unviable. You dont think any nightclubs will reopen on unviable. You dont think any nightclubs will reopen on the j unviable. You dont think any nightclubs will reopen on the 9th Of August . Abs, nightclubs will reopen on the 9th of au~ust . � , nightclubs will reopen on the 9th of au~ust . � ,. ,. , august . A very small number of scottish nightclubs august . A very small number of scottish nightclubs which august . A very small number of scottish nightclubs which are august . A very small number of scottish nightclubs which are geared up scottish nightclubs which are geared up for bottle service, table service, but the vast majority of late night businesses, notjust late night businesses, not just nightclubs, late night businesses, notjust nightclubs, they rely almost entirely on vertical Drinking And Thatis entirely on vertical drinking and that is impossible in this situation. That is impossible in this situation. ,. , situation. Do they have any future . The First Minister situation. Do they have any future . The First Minister said situation. Do they have any future . The First Minister said that situation. Do they have any future . The First Minister said that she the First Minister said that she expects these restrictions on facemasks to remain for some time to come. ~ ,. , Y Facemasks to remain for some time to come. ~ ,. , facemasks to remain for some time to come. Absolutely. That expression fills me with come. Absolutely. That expression fills me with dread come. Absolutely. That expression fills me with dread because come. Absolutely. That expression fills me with dread because we come. Absolutely. That Expression L fills me with dread because we have been close now for 18 months with no income, mounting debt, and where is this taking us . As soon as im off this taking us . As soon as im off this Phone Call im calling two of my Business Premises to ask the supervisor to stand down, the guys who are putting a new floor into my premises, and we are investing huge amounts of borrowed money, to get ourselves back up in trading after 18 months of being decimated, and we are in a situation which we could see coming, where the First Minister was going to claim that she was allowing nightclubs and Music Venues to reopen but in effect condemning them to a very bleak future. You think this is them to a very bleak future. You think this is a them to a very bleak future. You think this is a dishonest statement . Yes, i do, actually, iwould think this is a dishonest statement . Yes, i do, actually, i would go as far to say that, and i have to say, throughout the crisis i have tried to be as supportive of the Scottish Government measures on safety as i possibly could be, and many colleagues in the business have been much more critical than i have been myself but honestly, it is a shocking thing to come out. And not just in the out come about because we have been asking consistently for a clue as to what is going to be in this, we specifically asked, will facemasks continue to be mandated after the 9th Of August and No One would tell us. But here we are looking down the barrel of the gun. 0ne looking down the barrel of the gun. One other point, not only is it impractical, but they are serious safety concerns about people wearing facemasks within nightclubs especially in Nightclub Environments where Nonverbal Communication is hugely important. 0ur where Nonverbal Communication is hugely important. Our staff are trained at great expense to look out for signs of any kind of conflict and to manage the conflict, but that becomes impossible if you have all your customers wondering around with Facemasks On come up with music on and all the other things, so we recognise that nightclubs are relative to other businesses, relatively high risk and we have always accepted we would be the last two open but this is a serious kick in the teeth. Two open but this is a serious kick in the teeth two open but this is a serious kick in the teeth. Thanks for oining us. I know you in the teeth. Thanks for oining us. I know you have h in the teeth. Thanks for oining us. I know you have got in the teeth. Thanks forjoining us. I know you have got some in the teeth. Thanks forjoining us. I i know you have got some important calls to make. Lets get reaction from David Belsey whos the Assistant Secretary at the Educational Institute Of Scotland who are a teaching union. Thanks forjoining us. Some good news in the statement in terms of the changes to the rules affecting classes where one child develops covid. , ~ ,. , , covid. Yes, i think staff will be aenerall covid. Yes, i think staff will be generally pleased covid. Yes, i think staff will be generally pleased With Covid. Yes, i think staff will be generally pleased with what i covid. Yes, i think staff will be l generally pleased with what the scottish covenant has announced this afternoon. In general it has an ad for the return of schools Scottish Government. It will be reassuring for teachers and it will also allow a period of time to make the changes that the First Minister talked about in terms of Ventilation And Testing arrangements which are also key going forward. In terms of the Self Isolation changes, reflecting the changes that are being made to wider society, we will have to look at the detail when we see the guidance but in principle, we are awaiting the results, and it is a step forward, and we would be concerned if there is an expectation that teachers were to carry out the testing so we will need clarification from the Scottish Government on that point. In clarification from the Scottish Government on that point. In terms of Teachers Government on that point. In terms of teachers being government on that point. In terms of teachers being affected, government on that point. In terms of teachers being affected, from. Of teachers being affected, from your perspective, given the vaccination numbers, the First Minister talked about, the majority of teachers would have had the opportunity to be a double vaccinated and presumably a Pcr Test if it is negative means they could only be out of the classroom for one day if they find they come into contact with someone who has covid . Yes. Conceivably they could be back within a short period of time which will reduce disruption, and many teachers in scotland, it is a young workforce, we are not clear that, a large number teachers have yet to have the second vaccination but we hope that will be in place by The End of september. It is quite a young workforce, so we would need to work with the Scottish Government to make sure that the workforce is fully vaccinated as indeed we would support also vaccination to be offered to pupils of between 12 and 17 as well as an option. 17 as well as an option. Term time beains in 17 as well as an option. Term time begins in scotland 17 as well as an option. Term time begins in scotland it 17 as well as an option. Term time begins in scotland it sooner 17 as well as an option. Term time begins in scotland it sooner than i 17 as well as an option. Term time | begins in scotland it sooner than It Doesin begins in scotland it sooner than it does in england and wales. We are not actually talking about that long, ill be, before teachers returned to the classroom to prepare for the return of pupils . Are we. Some schools will be opening next week, so teachers will be going in and pupils if you day afterwards, so it is imminent. A few day afterwards. It is good news therefore that the changes that the Scottish Government has made, are offset and phased in after six weeks and the next six weeks will offer a period of certainty and safety, hopefully, for staff and pupils. Can i ick u hopefully, for staff and pupils. Can i pick up on hopefully, for staff and pupils. Can i pick up on one thing the First Minister mentioned, maybe we could expand on this, the question of ventilation, because it was a subject that came up last year, there was a lot of talk about the importance of ventilation and then it went very quiet and it was not clear what had actually changed in schools beyond encouraging them to Open Windows which of only practical in certain weather conditions. I went to a school where if the windows were opened the wind would blow in so that was not possible, but what has happened in the last year to improve ventilation . Changing ventilation and having a mechanical Retrieval System is expensive to install and in most cases it has been a case of keeping the windows open more frequently and emptying classrooms before teaching has begun. What some measures at some local authorities have been doing and we have been encouraging is to use mobile Carbon Dioxide monitors, and it gives a the air the chance to move around. There is also £10 million for ventilation from the First Minister which is a small step but a welcome step. There research which suggests that having a well ventilated room with Carbon Dioxide levels below 1000 or even well below 1000, that is a significant factor in reducing infection of covid and other airborne viruses. Infection of covid and other airborne viruses. David, from the educational airborne viruses. David, from the educational institute airborne viruses. David, from the educational institute of airborne viruses. David, from the Educational Institute Of Scotland, Thanks Forjoining us. Borisjohnson is meeting the Opposition Leader of belarus, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, in Downing Street to discuss Human Rights. Their talks come a day after one of the countrys olympic athletes sought sanctuary in tokyo, after defying orders to fly home early because she feared for her safety. The opposition in belarus has faced a brutal crackdown since president lukashenkos disputed Re Election a year ago. Richard galpin reports. In the midst of the olympics, a different drama playing out. This athlete from belarus, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, now in her second day taking sanctuary here in the Polish Embassy. The International Olympic Committee said this morning she was in good spirits. She reassured us once again shes feeling safe and secure. I believe there is a call going on this morning with her as well. And together with the relevant authorities and competent organisations, she is planning herfuture. 0pposition Activists in belarus say No One who speaks out against the oppressive belarus government is safe, not even olympic athletes. The belarus president , alexander lukashenko, who has been in powerfor 27 years, has been ruthless in suppressing any dissent in the country. Those who try to protest, face beatings and arrest by the authorities. Its led to many leaving the country. Today, the belarus Opposition Leader, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, has been holding talks with the Prime Minister here in Downing Street. She wants western countries to impose sanctions on the belarus authorities and shes well aware of the risks she is taking in opposing president lukashenko. I can disappear at any moment, i understand this, but i should do what i am doing. I Cant Stop because i am. You know, ifeel responsibility for the future of my country, the same as all those who are fighting at the moment, who feel the responsibility. The Discovery Today that this belarus activist, vitaly shishov, has been found dead in the ukrainian capital kyiv, will add to concerns about the safety of those opposing president lukashenko. The activist had been hanged in this park. The ngo He Ran says it had received warnings that belarusian Special Forces were in the area. Richard galpin, Bbc News. Krystsina tsimanouskaya has today spoken to the bbc. She was interviewed by Razia Iqbal on the bbc� s newshour programme. Translation im feeling much better because i managed translation im feeling much better because i managed to translation im feeling much better because i managed to sleep translation im feeling much better because i managed to sleep six translation im feeling much better because i managed to sleep six hours i because i managed to sleep six hours last night for the first time. Ive only had ten Hours Sleep over the preceding days so im feeling much better now. Tell preceding days so im feeling much better now. , preceding days so im feeling much better nova better now. Tell us about how you feel now that better now. Tell us about how you feel now that you better now. Tell us about how you feel now that you are better now. Tell us about how you feel now that you are going better now. Tell us about how you feel now that you are going to feel now that you are going to poland, you have a humanitarian visa from the Polish Embassy and you will be leaving very soon. Im from the Polish Embassy and you will be leaving very soon. Be leaving very soon. Im very leased be leaving very soon. Im very pleased that be leaving very soon. Im very pleased that i be leaving very soon. Im very pleased that i havent be leaving very soon. Im very pleased that i havent been i pleased that i havent been abandoned in this situation. Im hoping when i get to poland to meet a team of lawyers and for people from the Foreign Ministry and also athletics committees to talk about what is going to happen to me. We understand that your husband has now fled belarus. Have you had the chance to speak to him . Fled belarus. Have you had the chance to speak to him . Yes, we decided very chance to speak to him . Yes, we decided very quickly chance to speak to him . Yes, we decided very quickly that chance to speak to him . Yes, we decided very quickly that he chance to speak to him . Yes, we i decided very quickly that he should leave the country for his own safety. He is now in ukraine and we are hoping that he soon will be able to get to poland. To get to poland. There has been suggestions to get to poland. There has been suggestions from to get to poland. There has been suggestions from the to get to poland. There has been suggestions from the belarusian | suggestions from the belarusian authorities that the reason they wanted you to return home to belarus was because they were concerned about your Mental Health. What can you tell us about what they told you and is any of that true . That the reason they wanted to put you back on the plane was because of your Mental Health . I on the plane was because of your Mental Health . Mental health . I dont have any Mental Health . I dont have any Mental Health Mental Health . I dont have any Mental Health problems. No doctors approached me to make any investigations when i was at the Olympic Village and we were all checked before we came here and i was found to be in perfect health. Presumably when you left to go to tokyo presumably when you left to go to to. ,. ,. , presumably when you left to go to t0 0. ,. ,. ,. , presumably when you left to go to t0 0. ,. ,. , presumably when you left to go to to. ,. ,. ,. , tokyo and to go to the olympics, you would assume tokyo and to go to the olympics, you would assume that tokyo and to go to the olympics, you would assume that you tokyo and to go to the olympics, you would assume that you would tokyo and to go to the olympics, you would assume that you would take i would assume that you would take part as an athlete and then return home, and none of what happened, you seeking a humanitarian visa, none of that was on your mind at all . Fla. That was on your mind at all . No, absolutely that was on your mind at all . Iifr, absolutely nothing. I had no thoughts of that of any kind to do with leaving the country. I have an active blog on instagram and i wrote that we have Plans Husband and then we would go and see my parents and we would be coming back and having all sorts of things to do in belarus. 0n return. Your to do in belarus. On return. Your husband is to do in belarus. On return. Your husband is now to do in belarus. On return. Your husband is now in to do in belarus. On return. Your husband is now in the to do in belarus. 0n return. Your husband is now in the ukraine, what reports do you have about your parents . Some reports are reaching the west that your parents have been visited by the security services. Do you know whether they are safe and what their Circumstances are . 50. What their Circumstances are . So, the have what their Circumstances are . Srr, they have stayed what their Circumstances are . 5rr, they have stayed in what their Circumstances are . 5 3, they have stayed in belarus what their Circumstances are . 5r3, they have stayed in belarus and my mother had some Phone Calls but we told her not to answer the phone. My dad is not well. He is staying at home and other relatives are nearby and have been to visit them and i spoke to them this morning and they said they were fine and im going to call them again this evening. You may know that the government has abandoned plans for the Amber Watchlist. If you have got any questions about International Travel rules, were really keen to hear from you. Well put them to our Experts Julia and simon calder. You can get in touch on twitter using the Hashtag Bbcyourquestions and you can email us on yourquestions bbc. Co. Uk but bow its time for a look at the weather with nick. Another hint of autumn in the weather this morning in a cool start and there were patches of Mist And Fog around but all of that has gone and its a pleasant afternoon across much of the uk and if you are dodging the showers today, and there arent too many around, some useful doing weather out there which means it is pleasantly warm if you are seeing some sunshine after that rather cool start. There are some showers to dodge, particularly across parts of eastern, central, and southern england. There could be rumbles of thunder and a few in scotland towards the north and the west but a greater chance of catching one today compared with yesterday and one or two popping up in Northern Ireland as the day goes on but overall a brighter day and temperatures a bit higher than yesterday with one or two spots getting to 22c. We will keep a few of the showers going on into the evening and most of them will fade away but there will be showers and outbreaks of rain across Western Scotland. It doesnt look quite as cool tonight but again, away from towns and City Centres there will be places in the countryside that go down into single figures. There is a frontal system out to our west at the moment. Very slowly trying to move in and it will be the focus of more showers around tomorrow and even some outbreaks of rain initially towards the North And North west of scotland, perhaps the most western side of Northern Ireland but as it edges in there will be heavy showers breaking out in Northern Ireland and in scotland towards the north and west. Across Northern England some heavier may be thundery downpours to content with so a greater chance of catching them tomorrow compared with today and one or two dotted about elsewhere. Many places stay dry, pleasantly warm and sunny spells but a more significant Weather Change from thursday onwards as the area of low pressure moves in. The wind is picking up around that and around the western coast with just around 40mph on thursday but turning breezy across the uk with bands of rain or showers gradually edging east during the day and the area of low pressure will be right across us On Sunday so by then there will be few places avoiding some particularly heavy downpours on friday but there could be found in places, possibly disruptive with the risk of flooding. The showery weather continues into the weekend and perhaps fewer showers as we go on through sunday and a bit drier into the start of next week. This is Bbc News, im shaun ley. The headlines at three another good day for Team Gb at the tokyo 0lympics Silver for Keely Hodgkinson in the womens 800m final. I wanted to leave it out there. Its going to take a couple of days to sink in but, yeah, im so happy. Britain rules the waves at the Tokyo Olympics with double gold in the sailing for dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell in the Mens 49er and Giles Scott in the Finn Class. And Beaming Biles after struggles with her Mental Health Superstar American gymnast Simone Beils takes bronze on the beam. First minister Nicola Sturgeon says scotland will remove most of its remaining Covid Restrictions from monday and end the use of its Level System. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings will continue. This change is significant and hard earned. The Sacrifices Everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated. Borisjohnson meets the Opposition Leader of belarus after one of the countrys athletes at the olympics sought sanctuary in a foreign embassy. Sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya told the bbc why she had taken the action i want people to stop being afraid, to speak out, because when there is pressure is really important not to keep silent. After a drop in rural thefts during Coronavirus Lockdowns last year insurers are now warning that gangs are using E Scooters to enter Uk Farms and steal high value gps technology. Good Afternoon And Welcome to Bbc News. Team gb are celebrating more medals at the tokyo 0lympics. There was double gold for britains sailors dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell claimed victory in the Mens 49er class, and Giles Scott retained his title in the Mens Finn class. In the Athletics Keeley Hodgkinson brought home Team Gbs first medal on the track with a silver in the 800m beating Kelly Holmess british record in the process. Jason kenny gets silver in the Mens Team Sprint and equals the total Medal Haul of sir Bradley Wiggins to become the joint most decorated british 0lympian, and there was also silverfor his wife Laura Kenny in the Womens Team Pursuit herfifth Olympic Medal. Meanwhile the american gymnast Simone Biles who pulled out of four finals to focus on her Mental Health has been back in action, winning bronze in the beam final. For a full Round Up of the action at the olympics this morning lets cross to gavin at the Bbc Sport centre. We will cross to austen. As weve been hearing britain has won its first medal on the track at the tokyo 0lympics. 19 year old Keely Hodgkinson took silver in the 800 metres, second behind mu and a new british record, a personal best. Just missing out with gemma ricky, finishing fourth, with Alex Bell in seventh. Reekie. Jason kenny going for Team Sprint glory. Britain had won the event at the past three games but this time in the final it was not to be. Jason kenny straining in the final it was not to be. Jason kenny straining every in the final it was not to be. Jason kenny Straining Every Sinew in the final it was not to be. Jason kenny Straining Every Sinew in i kenny Straining Every Sinew in Pursuit Kenny Straining Every Sinew in pursuit of kenny Straining Every Sinew in pursuit of the meadow, but gold for The Netherlands. Still pursuit of the meadow, but gold for The Netherlands. The netherlands. Still silver and four kenny The Netherlands. Still silver and four kenny that The Netherlands. Still silver and four kenny that meant The Netherlands. Still silver and four kenny that meant a The Netherlands. Still silver and four kenny that meant a place i The Netherlands. Still silver and| four kenny that meant a place in The Netherlands. Still silver and i four kenny that meant a place in the record books, Eighth 0lympic four kenny that meant a place in the record books, eighth Olympic Medal, six of them gold, britains most decorated 0lympian. It six of them gold, britains most Decorated Olympian. Six of them gold, britains most Decorated Olympian. It gets harder every time Decorated Olympian. It gets harder every time at Decorated Olympian. It gets harder every time. At your Decorated Olympian. It gets harder every time. At your first Decorated Olympian. It gets harder every time. At your first olympics i every time. At your first 0lympics you catch up with the momentum, to repeat it and having to do it again and again, it does get harder, to be fair. ,. , and again, it does get harder, to be fair. ,. ,. , fair. There had earlier been another meadow as fair. There had earlier been another meadow as jasons fair. There had earlier been another meadow as Jasons Wife fair. There had earlier been another meadow as Jasons Wife laura i fair. There had earlier been another meadow as Jasons Wife laura took| meadow as Jasons Wife laura took silver in team pursuit. Herfirst 0lympic silver in team pursuit. Herfirst Olympic Medal as the Family Tally continues to grow. Another british medal in the boxing. There was another british medal in the boxing, although not the colour pat mccormack was hoping for. The 26 year old from sunderland is the current Commonwealth Champion but after being edged out in the Welterweight Final by cubas Roniel Iglesias, hes had to settle for olympic silver. In the diving, meanwhile, there was success Forjack Laugher. After winning bronze in the springboard, he revealed hed considered retiring earlier this year because of Mental Health issues. This means so much, he said. Simone biles is back. In the gymnastics, meanwhile, the return of a sporting superstar. A week after withdrawing from competition to focus on her Mental Health, Simone Biles was back for the final of the beam and back to near her best. That was enough to put her into the lead and while she later slipped down to bronze, her 0lympics has ended with an emotional comeback and another medal. In the athletics, though, there was agony for another british hope, Adam Gemili pulling up in his 200m heat. He later revealed he had injured himself in the warm up and his pain was all too clear. I just felt my hamstring go and i was in so much pain. Ijust asked, strap it up, let me go out there and at least try. Because you have to try. And. Yeah. But elsewhere perhaps the performance of these games. In the 400 metres hurdles final, Karsten Warholm ripped up the record books. Warholm is going to go away and take the win, its gold for norway, 45. 94. The norwegian smashing his own World Record by the best part of a second, leaving commentators reaching for the superlatives. That performance by Karsten Warholm is possibly the best ive ever seen. I cant believe the time, a lot of time ive been asked about the perfect race, i said it didnt exist, but this is the closest thing ive ever done. A time and a talent to go down in olympic history. Andy swiss, Bbc News. Team gb won two golds in the sailing within the space of an hour this morning. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell got first place in the Mens 49er, after a nail biting race to the Finish Line with germany. Its the first time Great Britain have won a Gold Medal in that classification. And shortly after Giles Scott defended his Gold Medal in the Mens Finn. Thats six consecutive Gold Medals in for gb in this class. And there was a silver to add to the tally on the water with Anna Burnet and John Gimson getting second place in the mixed Nacra 17 class. And thats all the sport for now. Of course, theres plenty more from the olympics on the Bbc Sport Website thats bbc. Co. Uk sport. Nicola sturgeon has confirmed the Scottish Government will go ahead with plans to end most remaining Covid Restrictions on august 9th. The First Minister said laws requiring physical distancing and limiting social gatherings will be dropped and all venues will be allowed to open. But laws requiring face coverings to be worn in some indoor settings will remain in place. And adults identified as close contacts of covid cases will no longer have to self isolate for ten days as long as they are fully vaccinated, symptom free and have a negative Pcr Test. Lets take a listen to what she had to say a short time ago. Its the combination of the steady decline in cases, the success of vaccination, helping to weaken the link between cases and serious illness and of course our understanding of the social, health and economic harms continued restrictions have, harms continued restrictions cause, all underpinned by our obligation to ensure that any restrictions that remain in place are lawful. In other words, that they are both necessary and proportionate that forms the basis for our Decision Today to move beyond level zero. The move beyond level zero will entail the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions, most notably on physical distancing and limits to the size of social gatherings. It also means from the 9th Of August No Venues will be legally required to close. This change is significant and it is hard earned. The Sacrifices Everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated. However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal The End of the pandemic, or a Return To Life exactly as we knew it before covid struck. Declaring freedom from or victory over the virus, is in my view, premature. The harm the virus can do, including through the impact of Long Covid, shouldnt be underestimated and its ability to mutate may yet pose us real challenges. Nicola sturgeon addressing the Scottish Parliament earlier. Lets take you to some live pictures now. It is ever on the ship but it is the ever given. The giant Container Ship that blocked the Suez Canal earlier this year will be docking shortly in felixstowe on the South Coast of england. Evergreen is the company and ever given is the name of the ship. 1300 feetin given is the name of the ship. 1300 feet in old money. It was wedged into the show� s canal, they would Digging Parts Suez Canal. It is set sale last month after egypt signed a Compensation Deal with the company, evergreen, the ship was allowed to leave and as a result of that it has been sailing quietly, without incident, towards the uk. It has finally turned up in felixstowe on a lovely day. Lots of people turned up to see it, i am not surprised, it is quite a sight. That this may one or two people pleased to see because their deliveries may well be on board. Labour says the Governments Policy on International Travel is in � Total Chaos after proposals for a new Amber Watchlist were abandoned. The list would have allowed holidaymakers to see which countries were in danger of being put on the governments Red List which would mean having to quarantine in a hotel on their return at their own expense. Travel firms opposed the idea, but the government has denied its made a u turn. Tony bonsignore reports. Holiday makers want to go. The Travel Industry wants to take them. The problem though is there are concerns over covid cases in countries like spain and greece. The idea of an Amber Watchlist was to warn travellers about those countries currently on the Amber List but that are in danger of turning red. If that happens, it would mean a forced stay in a Quarantine Hotel at the travellers own expense. It was an idea discussed by ministers but thats now been ditched. Weve looked at the various options. On balance we think the system has to be simple enough. But, you know, it is difficult to tread that careful balance and thats what were trying to do. But we definitely want to open up travel. Airlines are relieved. Its a victory for common sense. The last thing we needed was another category in the traffic light system. Whats really important now is customers need as much clarity as possible. Those looking to get away need to know theyre not going to be facing rules that are changing overnight. Labour is calling for more transparency. The current system is not fit for purpose. Weve seen that in the Way Portugal was treated, in the way france was treated, where they created an entirely new category for the Amber List. That creates more confusion and means the travelling public dont have the confidence to book ahead. What weve been calling for is a simple system that says its either safe to go, which means it should be on the green list, or its not safe to go, which means it ought to be on the Red List. This latest row comes amid an intense debate within government over International Travel. Whilst many remain cautious, others are making it known they want to open up more quickly to protectjobs. Its a difficult balance for the government to strike. The next big announcement will come in the next few days when we get the latest update to the travel list. Its a decision many Holiday Makers will be following closely. Tony bonsignore, Bbc News. And if you have got any questions about International Travel rules, were really keen to hear from you. Well put them to our Experts Julia Lo Bue said and simon calder. You can get in touch on twitter using the Hashtag Bbcyourquestions and you can email us on yourquestions bbc. Co. Uk at 3. 30 well talk to them. My my colleagues outside of the studio are watching all the feeds. A convicted terrorist shot dead by police after going on a High Street Stabbing Rampage Signalled his intention to commit jihad and kill the queen before he was released from prison, an inquest has heard. 20 year old Sudesh Amman was killed by Undercover Police our home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford has more on this. Daniel, whats the latest . We have been going through an intricate detail his time in prison. He was sentenced to 40 months but automatically released after 20 months. Almost from the very moment he arrived at Belmarsh Prison there were concerns about his behaviour, we have gone through almost every reporter was both on the Prison Intelligence System and other various prison databases. He was found with an arabic note in his cell in which he swore allegiance to the head of the islamic State Group. He talked about wanting to kill the queen, talked about saying he had not finished with the nonbeliever shared. He mixed with many of the other convicted terrorists in belmarsh including the brother of the Manchester Bomber. Month after month there was reports of him trying to radicalise other prisoners. Warnings about his behaviour, sent to the high Security Unit within Hmp Belmarsh because of his behaviour. All the time his Release Date was coming down the track. Just a few weeks before his release he was involved in a protest with other prisoners in which hejumped onto the netting. Just before he was released a senior Police Officer from the metropolitan polices counter Terrorism Unit wrote to the governor of Hmp Belmarsh about if there was some way afterjumping onto the netting his release from prison could be delayed. The governor of belmarsh said that would not be possible and Sudesh Amman was going to be released on 23 january. A plan was put in place to control him after that, put into a Hostel In Streatham, given 24 Hour Surveillance by police. He was seen going into poundland buying tape, bottles, tin foil, thing is used previously to make Hoax Suicide vests are M15 And Counterterrorism police had a meeting that night, january 31, to consider what he would do if he is found and has made a Hoax Suicide vest. They decided they couldnt arrest him at that stage, discuss what should be done if he is seen to be buying a knife. 0r buying a knife which he then unwraps. So it was that it came to august two, Sudesh Amman left his bail hostel, followed by an armed Surveillance Team consisting of nine officers, four of them on foot, five in vehicles, one of those on a bike. He walks into a Convenience Store, grab the knife and is unwrapping it as he comes out of the Convenience Store. A Surveillance Officer sees this happening, pursues him down streatham In London in the High Road. He manages to stab a woman and a man as he runs up the road about 100 metres before two of the Undercover Officers catch up with them, open Fire And Shoot him and he dies from his injuries. It shows that although there was all these concerns about him before his release and all the concerns about the management of him after his release, he still managed to step two people. Thankfully, both of them were able to survive. By, two people. Thankfully, both of them were able to survive. Were able to survive. A remarkable catalouue were able to survive. A remarkable catalogue of were able to survive. A remarkable catalogue of events, were able to survive. A remarkable catalogue of events, thank were able to survive. A remarkable catalogue of events, thank you i were able to survive. A remarkable catalogue of events, thank you for| catalogue of events, thank you for the detail, daniel at the high court. The inquest into the convicted Terrorist Suspect and his subsequent killing by armed officers in february. The cost of rural theft fell 20 in 2020 as Covid Restrictions kept criminals out of the countryside, according to figures released today by Insurer Nfu mutual. However, highly organised criminals continued to plague farms like Maiden Castle in dorchester. We can speak to Farmer Hazel Hoskin who last year was a victim of livestock theft. Thank you so much for speaking to us. Let me ask you first of all, tell us about last years incident. Last year, unfortunately we had 30 sheep stolen from one of our outlying fields on the outskirts of dorchester. We went there to collect the sheep in to take back to the farm, did one lot, went back for the second lot to notice we were missing 30 sheep. Corresponded with the police and it came to light that there had been a Transit Van Visit there had been a Transit Van Visit the gateway and helped themselves to the gateway and helped themselves to the sheep. The gateway and helped themselves to the shee. , the gateway and helped themselves to the shee. , the sheep. Livestock rustling, something the sheep. Livestock rustling, something almost the sheep. Livestock rustling, something almost quaint i the sheep. Livestock rustling, i something almost quaint about the language but the reality is it is theft of animals, you do not know what happens to the animals, the condition they are kept and, presumably notjust condition they are kept and, presumably not just the condition they are kept and, presumably notjust the cost implication but also quite distressing if you have reared animals to lose them in the Circumstances. Animals to lose them in the Circumstances. ~ ,. , Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will tell Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will tell you Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will tell you it Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will tell you it is Circumstances. Absolutely. Farming, all farmers will tell you it is a all farmers will tell you it is a 365 day per yearjob. The effort that goes in for good welfare and keeping all of our Animal Save is then sort of battered against us when they are taken in this way. And sort of taken somewhere that we dont know how there and will be. We can only assume that actually they have been taken to order which is in itself slightly unnerving. The field they were taken from is actually right next to a little bit of an industrial sort of Cottage Industrial Sort of Cottage Industrial Estate with six houses with the garden is backing onto the gate. No one heard a thing. It is just frightening how organised these Particular Gangs can be. It is just frightening how organised these Particular Gangs can be. Particular gangs can be. It is not spontaneous. Particular gangs can be. It is not spontaneous, is Particular Gangs can be. It is not spontaneous, is it . Particular gangs can be. It is not spontaneous, is it . It Particular Gangs can be. It is not spontaneous, is it . It is Particular Gangs can be. It is not spontaneous, is it . It is not i spontaneous, is it . It is not nicking a couple of sheep, it is quite calculated. It is good news it has dropped 20 , lots to do with the restrictions, people at home and so on. Has there been any upside . A reduction in your premiums as a result of this . Fewer thefts presumably means fewer payouts. Brute presumably means fewer payouts. Havent seen any change in our premiums at the moment. It is early days. It takes awhile for the sort of information to feed through the doesnt it . As were highlighted, it was a pandemic so therefore it is going to make a little bit of a difference i feel. Going to make a little bit of a difference i feel. Indeed, and the wor is difference i feel. Indeed, and the worry is as difference i feel. Indeed, and the worry is as Normality Difference i feel. Indeed, and the worry is as Normality Returns i difference i feel. Indeed, and the I Worry is as Normality Returns during the course of the rest of this year, may be as the days get shorter, the nights get darker, there is more of a risk of this kind of crime again. Have you had any advice from the police . I do not know if Dorset Police to but i know lots of constabularies have rural Crime Officers who try to give advice on protecting livestock and equipment, because some equipment on a farm is very valuable. Because some equipment on a farm is very valuable very valuable. Absolutely, and we have an amazing very valuable. Absolutely, and we have an amazing relationship i very valuable. Absolutely, and we have an amazing relationship with our rural crime department here, they are based very close to us. They are constantly popping in. We definitely have benefited from that because as you can imagine having a Police Car or vehicle coming at your Firm Drive acts as a deterrent in itself. We have also used their services to to tag any of our small items. They are traceable back to the farm. We have put in security gates, alarms. All of that has been in communication with the police so that we are doing what they consider the right things were, because they are the ones with the knowledge in this area more than ourselves. Hazel, i hope you have a better year this year and the and they keep well away from your firm. Hazel from dorchester. If you live near a farm, be aware of unusual activity. The whole thing about number plates is the that can be most useful. No harm in writing them down but never know when the information will come in useful. Information about further restrictions, the city authorities have decided to impose on to people who are doing things like using restaurants, gyms and going to the theatre. The outgoing mayor who leaves in november says you will require proof of vaccination to attend in activities including restaurants, using the gym, performances of theatre, music and so on, he will have to prove you have been vaccinated before you are allowed in. That is a citywide edict issued by City Hall on the half of Mayor Bill de blasio. Not many brits going to the states at the moment because they are not allowed to enter, but many americans wanting to visit new York And Many Parts of the state have low Vaccination Rates, causing concern to president Joe Biden who announced restrictions on federal ploys, a mandate for vaccination. Employees. A toughening of the rhetoric and also practical restrictions on americans by different levels of government because of the concerns particularly about the spread of the Delta Variant, which in some states is really quite serious, high levels of proselytisation because the Vaccination Rates alone. Hospitalisation. As weve been hearing britain has won its first medal on the track at the tokyo 0lympics. 19 year old Keely Hodgkinson won silver in the 800 metres, and in the process broke Dame Kelly holmes british record which had stood since 1995. Lets speak now to Keely Hodgkinsons coach Jenny Meadows who is herself a world and European Medallist in the 800 metres. Are you coming down now from the high of watching her . I are you coming down now from the high of watching her . High of watching her . I think as an athlete you high of watching her . I think as an athlete you are high of watching her . I think as an athlete you are in high of watching her . I think as an athlete you are in control high of watching her . I think as an athlete you are in Control And I athlete you are in control and obviously anyone watching you have those nerves and the adrenaline and you just hope the athletes get what they deserve out of it. She definitely ran to potential. Last week in japan definitely ran to potential. Last Week Injapan in the Training Camp Week Injapan in the Training Camp we knew she was in one minute 55 shape and obviously she is very aware that is faster than Dame Kelly holmes british record. Myself and my husband trevor, since we started coaching her everything has come true. Fora coaching her everything has come true. For a 19 year old is to deliver on the bigger stage of her life, she has never competed for Great Britain in an outdoor championships before at senior level. It really blows my mind. Than level. It really blows my mind. An incredible feat. Did it bring back memories for you . It incredible feat. Did it bring back memories for you . Incredible feat. Did it bring back memories for you . It does. She is competing memories for you . It does. She is competing against memories for you . It does. She is competing against some memories for you . It does. She is competing against some of memories for you . It does. She is competing against some of the i memories for you . It does. She is i competing against some of the women i competed against, at the very beginning of her career. Some of them are at The End of their careers. She goes down as our fastest 800 Metre Female of all time, and that is when we have a double 0lympic time, and that is when we have a double olympic champion in Kelly Holmes. Im very excited about the future for keely. Women usually reach their peak in their late 20s and she isjust 19. Reach their peak in their late 20s and she isjust19. Reach their peak in their late 20s and she isjust19. And she is ust19. Presumably the eak for and she isjust19. Presumably the peak for women and she isjust19. Presumably the peak for women athletes and she isjust19. Presumably the peak for women athletes in i and she isjust19. Presumably the peak for women athletes in those | peak for women athletes in those kind of events is generally lighter than men, is that true . Any reason for that . Than men, is that true . Any Reason Forthat . I than men, is that true . Any reason for that . ~ , for that . I think it is geostatistics, i forthat . | think it is. Geostatistics, looking for that . L think it is geostatistics, looking at the for that . I think it is geostatistics, looking at the Age Range of women before i certainly fit that statistic, run my personal best at 28. The statistics say 2831. So that best at 28. The statistics say 28 31. So thatjust as very exciting, we can project forward that keely would still be competing in 2036 or 2040, very scary what she can do. ~ ,. ,. , can do. Whether you will still want to be training can do. Whether you will still want to be training her can do. Whether you will still want to be training her at can do. Whether you will still want to be training her at that can do. Whether you will still want to be training her at that point i can do. Whether you will still want to be training her at that point is l to be training her at that point is another matter jenny, congratulations, she will im sure say it is so much down to her training and attitude. Congratulations to you and your husband on her success, and congratulations from us. I hope you can have a good celebration when she comes back to the uk. Jenny meadows talking about her protege, Keely Hodgkinson, breaking Dame Kelly holmes reckoned as well. Many places with a dry afternoon, some sunny spells after a cool start to the day, feeling pleasantly warm in the sunshine. We are still dodging a few heavy, perhaps thundery showers, affecting parts of the midlands, eastern and southern england. Not many for wales and Northern England. There will be a few in Northern Ireland but overall a brighter day compared with yesterday. A couple in scotland especially in the north and west. Temperatures are a bit higher than yesterday. A few places reaching 22c, across Northern England, for example. Some of the showers will continue into the evening and then fade away, and whilst overnight most places will be dry, there will be some outbreaks of rain affecting north western parts of scotland. It has been very dry here so far this summer. Some of that rain may be welcome. Temperatures will be lower in rural areas so again someplace places starting tomorrow in single figures. Plenty of sunshine from The Word Go but we will see some showers for Northern Ireland and northern and Western Scotland and more in northern England Tomorrow compared with today. A few elsewhere in england and wales. Still some heavy and thundery downpours. Hello, this is Bbc News. The headlines another good day for Team Gb at the tokyo 0lympics a first Track Medal Silver for keely hodginkson in the womens 800 metres final. Britain rules the waves at the games with double gold in the Sailing In both the Mens 49er and the Finn Classes. And after struggles with her Mental Health, Superstar American gymnast Simone Biles takes bronze on the beam. First minister Nicola Sturgeon says scotland will remove most of its remaining Covid Restrictions from monday and end the use of its Levels System. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings will continue. The Belarus 0lympic athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who sought sanctuary at a foreign embassy in tokyo, has been telling the bbc why she made the move. I want people to stop being afraid, to speak out, because when there is pressure its really important not to keep silent. Sport and for a full Round Up, from the Bbc Sport centre, heres austin. Good afternoon. What a brilliant day its been for Team Gb eight medals in total. We start with their first on the track after a stunning performance from Keely Hodgkinson who took silver in the womens 800 metres. Shesjust 19 and competing in a tough field, she came second behind americas athing mu in a time of1 minute, 55. 88 seconds. A personal best, and british Record Beating Kelly Holmes previous best. So elation for her. She pipped the highly fancied american raevyn Rogers Butjust missing out for britain wasjemma reekie, she finished 4th, with Alex Bell in 7th. But a brilliant silver from hodgkinson. Im pretty speechless right now. Kelly holmes is a legend, of british athletics, now for a long time, and ive looked up to her. She is a lovely person. I have no words for that, honestly, buti lovely person. I have no words for that, honestly, but i want to thank my amazing team and my family who have made so many sacrifices for me. Trevor and jenny. They have put so much belief in me. Ive done it. Incredible race from her. Meanwhile, just like in rio, Elaine Thompson Herah has been crowned the Sprint Queen of the tokyo games. She took gold in the womens 200 metres to go with her gold in the 100 at the weekend. She surged to victory in 21. 53 seconds the second fastest time in history it means that Thompson Herah completes the double double after achieving golds in the same events at rio in 2016. Namibias Christine Mboma and Usas Gabrielle Thomas took Silver And Bronze. It was a great morning for Team Gb on the water. With two Sailing Golds coming in the space of an hour. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell got first place in the Mens 49er after a nailbiting race to the Finish Line with germany. Its the first time Great Britain have won a Gold Medal in this classification. Shortly after Giles Scott defended his Gold Medal in the Mens Finn class. Thats six consecutive Gold Medals for gb in this class. And there was a silver to add to the tally on the water with Anna Burnet and John Gimson getting second place in the mixed Nacra 17 class. There were two Track Cycling medals for Team Gb, with golden Couple Jason and Laura Kenny both adding to their already impressive haul. A silver in the Team Sprint Forjason means he draws level with Bradley Wiggins on eight medals as britians most decorated 0lympian. Going into the final against The Netherlands, Team Gb had far too much work to do in the final lap. Kenny, along with Ryan Owens and jack carlin, battled but had to settle for silver beaten comprehensively by the dutch team who set a new 0lympic record. We put our heart into the ride to get into the final and then we just went for it. We knew we had some ground to make up. I had nothing in the final. � , the final. Laughter i was rubbish. I the final. Laughter i was rubbish. But. The final. Laughterl i was rubbish. But we the final. Laughter i was rubbish. But we tried so the final. Laughter i was rubbish. But we tried so hard to get there. We always focus on the Team Sprint and that was always our best chance of getting on the podium at so im really happy that we are. Laura kenny was denied a fifth olympic gold her team were beaten by germany, who broke the World Record on their way to gold, in the Womens Team Pursuit. Team gb were aiming for the gold, but katie archibald, kenny, Neah Evans and Josie Knight were shocked by a Germany Team who took almost two seconds off their previous World Record time in an emphatic victory. So silverfor Team Gb, but kenny has the chance of gold in the Omnium And Madison later in the week. In the boxing, there was a silver for Great Britains pat mccormack after he lost to cubas iglesias in the Welterweight Final. Mccormack had been ranked as the top seed, but lost on unanamous points after an impressive performance from iglesias, whos now won three 0lympic medals. Mccormack� s silver means Team Gb has secured a record six medals in the Boxing Events at tokyo. And away from the Olympics Tottenham Striker Harry Kane has again failed to report to the Clubs Training Ground as a Stand Off over his future continues. Kane didnt appear at the scheduled time yesterday for a coronavirus test, after a three Week Break following euro 2020. He is expected back at training by The End of the week. Talks are expected between both parties, but its understood kane believes he has a gentlemans agreement with Chairman Daniel Levy to leave the club. Manchester city remain keen on signing the 28 year old. You feel it might take a lot of money to get him. And ahead of the decisive third test, british and irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has made a series of changes to his squad to face south africa. Among them, ken 0wens, wynjones, ali price, bundee aki, Josh Adams and Liam Williams all start in cape town. Faf De Klerk and Pieter Steph Du Toit both miss out for the springboks through injury. After winning the first test, the lions were beaten last weekend setting up a Winner Takes all clash on saturday. Thats all the sport for now. Time now for your questions answered. With me now to answer your questions isjulia, ceo of advantage travel partnership, and the independent� stravel correspondent simon calder. Thanks forjoining us. This is the first one, from martin. Have there been any indication that the usa will open up to non citizens or no Green Card holders soon . Im a Uk Citizen but have very close friends in the usa i havent seen since march 2020. Thats from martin ledwick. This is a big question that so many of us want answered. As It Stands, american citizens can come to the uk as of monday without the need to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated, but unfortunately we still have the us population in place which does not allow us to travel to the us and as It Stands at the moment there are no real concrete indications that the White House is opening their borders and has any enthusiasm to allow british people to travel so we have got to wait and see im afraid. People to travel so we have got to wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from Feel Wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from feel in wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from feel in hungary. Wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from feel in hungary. Wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from feel in hungary. Phil wait and see im afraid. Simon, this is from feel in hungary. Phil in l is from feel in hungary. Phil in hungary. I reside in hungary and i have been vaccinated with the Sputnik Vaccine. I want to return to the uk in september to see family who i havent seen for over two years. Will i be allowed to enter the uk under the new easements on travel into the uk . If the rules stay the same at the moment. If the rules stay the same at the moment, the answer is no, because hungary moment, the answer is no, because hungary is moment, the answer is no, because hungary is on moment, the answer is no, because hungary is on the Amber List and the only Way Hungary is on the Amber List and the only way you can avoid quarantining if you only way you can avoid quarantining if you are only way you can avoid quarantining if you are coming in from somewhere with European Vaccinations is if they with European Vaccinations is if they are with European Vaccinations is if they are approved by the European Medicines they are approved by the European Medicines agency and they are still looking Medicines Agency and they are still looking at Medicines Agency and they are still looking at the russian Sputnik Vaccine looking at the russian Sputnik Vaccine it looking at the russian Sputnik Vaccine it is still not approved and therefore vaccine it is still not approved and therefore still not acceptable to therefore still not acceptable to the uk therefore still not acceptable to the uk authorities. A couple of things. The uk authorities. A couple of things, they may approve it and secondly. Things, they may approve it and secondly, hungary is looking to be a. Ood secondly, hungary is looking to be a good candidate for the green list which good candidate for the green list which is good candidate for the green list which is the category which nobody needs which is the category which nobody needs to which is the category which nobody needs to quarantine and it would not surprise needs to quarantine and it would not surprise me needs to quarantine and it would not surprise me at all if that happened before surprise me at all if that happened before september in which case you would before september in which case you would be before september in which case you would be able to come straight in although would be able to come straight in although of course you have got to have a although of course you have got to have a test although of course you have got to have a test before you board the plane have a test before you board the plane to have a test before you board the plane to the uk and you have got to prebook plane to the uk and you have got to prebook a plane to the uk and you have got to pre book a Pcr Test on the day you arrive pre book a Pcr Test on the day you arrive or pre book a Pcr Test on the day you arrive or the pre book a Pcr Test on the day you arrive or the day after or the day after arrive or the day after or the day after that. Arrive or the day after or the day afterthat, but arrive or the day after or the day after that, but i would be relatively optimistic, more likely green relatively optimistic, more likely green listing than the European Mergers the European Medicines agency mergers the European Medicines agency deciding they like the russian agency deciding they like the russian vaccine. Agency deciding they like the russian vaccine. Yes, that will robabl russian vaccine. Yes, that will probably take russian vaccine. Yes, that will probably take a russian vaccine. Yes, that will probably take a bit russian vaccine. Yes, that will probably take a bit longer. I russian vaccine. Yes, that will| probably take a bit longer. The government says they will be some news on thursday about new travel arrangements, Possiblya News on thursday about new travel arrangements, possibly a replacement for the traffic light system, so who knows, other countries may come into play. See what happens on thursday on the bbc website. Julia, this is from dave. I want to travel to portugal with my son. I have been double jabbed but my son is 19 and has only had one jab. Can we travel . The good news is, you can travel, and james will be able to travel because he has been double vaccinated, and he also needs to do a test before arrival into portugal but the bad news for his son is that portugal require everyone over the age of 18 to be fully vaccinated and if you are not vaccinated you will have to quarantine for 14 days on arrival so probably makes a two Week Holiday not very useful not really good news. The only thing to say, rules are changing all the time and i dont know whenjames is looking to travel so he has to look at the portuguese rules which are also changing alongside when we change ours, so keep an eye on the rules as they change. Theres also a over the Astrazeneca Covishield Vaccine and the European Medicines agency are also reviewing that in portugal with regards to whether they will accept it, so there are questions over portugal which james needs to keep a close eye on. Portugal which james needs to keep a close Eye Om close eye on. Very interesting because many close eye on. Very interesting because many older close eye on. Very interesting because many older people i close eye on. Very interesting i because many older people will have been double vaccinated and think they are fine and the restrictions dont apply but you say if they have been vaccinated with astrazeneca it may not be as simple . It is been vaccinated with astrazeneca it may not be as simple . May not be as simple . It is the covishield. May not be as simple . It is the covishield. Simon . May not be as simple . It is the covishield. Simon . Me may not be as simple . It is the covishield. Simon . Me and i may not be as simple . It is the l covishield. Simon . Me and many may not be as simple . It is the covishield. Simon . Me and many other eole are covishield. Simon . Me and many other people are lucky covishield. Simon . Me and many other people are lucky enough covishield. Simon . Me and many other people are lucky enough to covishield. Simon . Me and many other people are lucky enough to have i people are lucky enough to have vaccines people are lucky enough to have vaccines made by the Serum Institute of india. Vaccines made by the Serum Institute of india, pulsing around our veins and ini of india, pulsing around our veins and im very of india, pulsing around our veins and im very happy with it, thank you very and im very happy with it, thank you very much, but due to what appears you very much, but due to what appears to you very much, but due to what appears to be a bureaucratic mix up the European Medicines agency has not formally approved the so called covishield not formally approved the so called Covishield Vaccine for use, but i have Covishield Vaccine for use, but i have got Covishield Vaccine for use, but i have got a Covishield Vaccine for use, but i have got a very good Nhs Covid Letter have got a very good Nhs Covid Letter showing that ive got two Vaccines Letter showing that ive got two vaccines which is astrazeneca and it doesnt vaccines which is astrazeneca and it doesnt mention the indian covishield one at all. But if you are an covishield one at all. But if you are an expert on batch numbers you can work are an expert on batch numbers you can work it are an expert on batch numbers you can work it out. The only problem i have can work it out. The only problem i have heard can work it out. The only problem i have heard of it is very sadly some people have heard of it is very sadly some people being turned away from malta which for people being turned away from malta which for about 36 hours had a prohibition on this and ive been trying prohibition on this and ive been trying to prohibition on this and ive been trying to contact the portuguese authorities and get an answer out of them authorities and get an answer out of them all authorities and get an answer out of them all day since the story came about them all day since the story came about im them all day since the story came about. Im looking forward to going back to about. Im looking forward to going back to portugal and im pretty sure that this back to portugal and im pretty sure that this will get me in 0k. It is annoying that this will get me in 0k. It is annoying but please dont stress about annoying but please dont stress about it annoying but please dont stress about it. , annoying but please dont stress about it. ,. , , about it. Fair enough. That probably answers davids about it. Fair enough. That probably answers Davids Question about it. Fair enough. That probably answers Davids Question because. About it. Fair enough. That probably| answers Davids Question because he was also concerned about the issue regarding the Astrazeneca Vaccine as it applied to the united states which is academic until the uss british people can come back in until the us decides. We have another question from the south of france. When is this Amber Category going to be removed for travel from france . Does the government not realise the implication this is having on families visiting its been almost two years since i was able to see my family in the uk . Enough is enough. Sounds as though the Prime Minister might have got the message . Susan is riaht, might have got the message . Susan is right. Enough might have got the message . Susan is right. Enough is might have got the message . Susan is right, enough is enough might have got the message . Susan is right, enough is enough for right, enough is enough for everybody, this is a crazy ruling that came in, very left field for everyone, and we have got to wait and see, there could be good news this thursday but we dont know. The irony is it is about the variant which came from the Reunion Island which came from the Reunion Island which is about 6000 miles away so clearly nowhere near france. Ridiculous crazy ruling but it has caught out a lot of individuals who were in france at the time and clearly is restricting Peoples Ability to travel to france this summer. ,. , ability to travel to france this Summer Ability to travel to france this summer. ,. ,. ,. , summer. Some people thought that the forei. N summer. Some people thought that the foreign secretary summer. Some people thought that the foreign secretary had summer. Some people thought that the foreign secretary had misunderstood i foreign secretary had misunderstood Reunion Island and thought it was on mainland france rather than a former french colony. The mainland france rather than a former french colony french colony. The government says the are french colony. The government says they are worried french colony. The government says they are worried about french colony. The government says they are worried about the french colony. The government says they are worried about the beta i they are worried about the Beta Variant they are worried about the Beta Variant in they are worried about the Beta Variant in the island of reunion but bizarrely variant in the island of reunion but bizarrely susan can make this sound even weirder, she could quite legally even weirder, she could quite legally and responsibly get on a plane legally and responsibly get on a plane from her nearest airport to Reunion Plane from her nearest airport to Reunion Island and stay there for ten days, Reunion Island and stay there for ten days, it Reunion Island and stay there for ten days, it is a beautiful place by all accounts, ten days, it is a beautiful place by allaccounts, but ten days, it is a beautiful place by all accounts, but be careful about the beta all accounts, but be careful about the Beta Variant, and then fly back legally the Beta Variant, and then fly back legally via the Beta Variant, and then fly back legally via somewhere like mauritius but not legally via somewhere like mauritius but not paris and she would not need to self isolate because she would have cleansed her french Mainland Status have cleansed her french Mainland Status as have cleansed her french Mainland Status. Asjulia says, it is absolutely weird and i think especially after the office for national statistics wrote to the oint national statistics wrote to the joint Bio Security Centre and said, hang joint Bio Security Centre and said, hang on. Joint Bio Security Centre and said, hang on, why have you done this . I think hang on, why have you done this . I think reasons might be found on thursday think reasons might be found on thursday when we have got the transport thursday when we have got the Transport Secretary reviewing the traffic Transport Secretary reviewing the traffic light list, i would think we might traffic light list, i would think we might find that our mbut plus disappears for france although it could disappears for france although it could still be brought back into play especially if you are going to upgrade play especially if you are going to upgrade some of the Red List countries Amber Plus. But this is all speculation and dont book your holiday all speculation and dont book your holiday to all speculation and dont book your holiday to Reunion Island based on what holiday to Reunion Island based on what im holiday to Reunion Island based on what im saying it is holiday to Reunion Island based on what lm saying what im saying it is not as crazy as what it what im saying it is not as crazy as what it sounds what im saying it is not as crazy as what it sounds because what im saying it is not as crazy as what it sounds because you i what im saying it is not as crazy| as what it sounds because you can get quite cheap flights if you are a french national to the french islands, unlike the rest of us, so maybe susan can afford to do that. This next one is from helen. My son arrived from spain into england on Friday 30th july. He is double vaccinated with az. He has done all the tests required and has always been negative. Now that these new rules are in place, does he have to still quarantine considering that everyone now can just walk into the country and not isolate . I would imagine that this affects a large number of people. Can you shed some light on this situation please . So frustrating but unfortunately her son missed it byjust a few days and the rules for arriving into the uk from an Amber List country for those fully vaccinated change that 4am on Monday Morning, just gone, and had her son arrived on Monday Morning he would havejust her son arrived on Monday Morning he would have just needed to do his predeparture would have just needed to do his Predepa Rtu re test would have just needed to do his Predeparture Test and his test in the uk and could have been out of isolation but he will now need to self isolate and he will still need to do the relevant tests which in his case would be a day two, and a day eight, and he can take another test under the Test And Release scheme on day five if he wants to reduce Site Isolation but unfortunately the rules as the government have in place, it was as of monday and any dates before that unfortunately missed out on this opportunity of not having to self isolate. Opportunity of not having to selfisolate. Opportunity of not having to selfisolate. , ,. ,. Selfisolate. Given this is about an infection and selfisolate. Given this is about an infection and the selfisolate. Given this is about an infection and the number selfisolate. Given this is about an infection and the number of selfisolate. Given this is about an infection and the number of days i selfisolate. Given this is about an| infection and the number of days it takes to show signs of infection and therefore the number of days you are potentially infectious to people, isnt it a bit strange that it can still apply retrospectively when people coming in now you could argue are more likely to be more infectious and they can just wonder in . Infectious and they can ust wonder in . ,. , infectious and they can ust wonder in . ,. , infectious and they can ust wonder in . ,. , ,. ,. , infectious and they can ust wonder in . ,. , in . Odd is a very polite way of auttin in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it i in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it. I wondered in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it. I wondered if i in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it. I wondered if it i in . Odd is a very polite way of putting it. I wondered if it wasj putting it. I wondered if it was ust me putting it. I wondered if it was just me sometimes putting it. I wondered if it was just me sometimes i putting it. I wondered if it was just me sometimes i dont i putting it. I wondered if it was. Just me sometimes i dont see putting it. I wondered if it was i just me sometimes i dont see the wood for the trees but there you go. Simon, 3 wood for the trees but there you go. Simon, a couple of questions. Why is dubai still in red . Their Vaccination Rate is like uk. They are more strict than uk With Covid. They have suspended flights from high risk countries. I have not seen my son for nearly two years. He lives in dubai. Its very frustrating. Huge amounts of frustration out there huge amounts of frustration out there and huge amounts of frustration out there and a lot of expatriates out in the there and a lot of expatriates out in the uae there and a lot of expatriates out in the uae and i can tell you why dubai in the uae and i can tell you why dubai and in the uae and i can tell you why dubai and the rest of the uae is on the List Dubai and the rest of the uae is on the List And Dubai and the rest of the uae is on the list and that is because the transport the list and that is because the Transport Secretary told us in april it is entirely because dubai is such a global it is entirely because dubai is such a global hub and basically you have planes a global hub and basically you have planes coming in from all over the place planes coming in from all over the place and planes coming in from all over the place and you cant tell who is on them place and you cant tell who is on them so place and you cant tell who is on them so it place and you cant tell who is on them so it was put on the Red List for that them so it was put on the Red List for that reason. It might be that the uae for that reason. It might be that the uae will actually leave the Red List and the uae will actually leave the Red List and maybe go on to the famous Amher List and maybe go on to the famous Amber Plus list and maybe go on to the famous Amber Plus list but there is concern ahout Amber Plus list but there is concern about the Amber Plus list but there is concern about the remarkably constant number of new about the remarkably constant number of new infections in the uae which some of new infections in the uae which some people are suggesting suggests that the some people are suggesting suggests that the figures might not be entirely that the figures might not be entirely valid. Again, there is nothing entirely valid. Again, there is nothing which is going to change about nothing which is going to change about the nothing which is going to change about the Hub Status of the uae so effectively if you take what the Transport Secretary said at face value. Transport secretary said at face value. It Transport Secretary said at face value, it wont change for the rest of the value, it wont change for the rest of the year. Value, it wont change for the rest of the year, but i think it might. But that of the year, but i think it might. But that was the reason originally given but that was the reason originally given we but that was the reason originally civen. ~. ,. But that was the reason originally. Iven,. ,. ,. , but that was the reason originally iiven,. ,. ,. , given. We only have a minute left. This is from given. We only have a minute left. This is from justin. I recently travelled abroad to an Amber List country, ibiza, and five days after returning i got pinged and instructed to isolate. Is it mandatory that i self isolate or only advisory . If you get pinged from a track and trace it is mandatory and if it is from the Nhs App it is advisory. They go by the Passenger Information from when you entered the uk so one is mandatory and one isjust advice. To simon and julia, that was really informative. For me, certainly, im quite sure for everybody watching at home. Thank you for your clarity. Much appreciated. Borisjohnson is meeting the Opposition Leader of belarus, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, in Downing Street to discuss Human Rights. Their talks come a day after one of the countrys olympic athletes sought sanctuary in tokyo, after defying orders to fly home early because she feared for her safety. The opposition in belarus has faced a brutal crackdown since president lukashenkos disputed Re Election a year ago. Richard galpin reports. In the midst of the olympics, a different drama playing out. This athlete from belarus, Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, now in her second day taking sanctuary here in the Polish Embassy. The International Olympic Committee said this morning she was in good spirits. She reassured us once again she is feeling safe and secure. I believe there is a call going on this morning with her as well. And together with the relevant authorities and the competent organisations, she is planning herfuture. Opposition activists in belarus say No One who speaks out against their oppressive belarus government is safe, not even olympic athletes. The belarus president alexander lukashenko, who has been in powerfor 27 years, has been ruthless in suppressing any dissent in the country. Those who try to protest, face beatings and arrest by the authorities. Its led to many leaving the country. Today, the belarus Opposition Leader, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, has been holding talks with the Prime Minister here in Downing Street. She wants western countries to impose sanctions on the belarus authorities and she is well aware of the rest she is taking in opposing president lukashenko. I can disappear at any moment, i understand this, but i should do what i am doing. I Cant Stop because i am. You know, ifeel the responsibility for the future of my country, the same as all those who are fighting at the moment, who feel the responsibility. The Discovery Today that this belarus activist, vitaly shishov, has been found dead in the ukrainian capital kyiv, will add to concerns about the safety of those opposing president lukashenko. The activist had been hanged in this park. The n60 He Ran says it had received warnings that belarusian Special Forces were in the area. Richard galpin, Bbc News. Speaking to the bbc today, the athlete krystina timanovskaya who sought asylum in poland said she was asked to return home from the olympics after she posted a message on instagram that was critical of her training team. She added that she was shocked at what has happened because she has never said anything political. Translation i was very surprised. I did not understand because i didnt say anything political. I just said that my trainers took decisions behind the back and i was very surprised. I want people to stop being afraid, i want them to speak out. Because when there is pressure it is really important not to keep silent. I think that when i know it is safe and i can return, and i want to because my family is there, it is my motherland, i love my country, and i didnt betray my country, as people have been. As it has been said now. But it is my home. This is what borisjohnson put out on twitter after speaking to this is what borisjohnson put out on twitter after speaking to the Opposition Leader. Now its time for a look at the weather with nick. There was another hint of autumn in the weather this morning in quite a cool start and there were patches of Mist And Fog around. But all of that has gone and its a pleasant afternoon across much of the uk and if you are dodging the showers today, and there arent too many around, some useful doing weather out there which means it is pleasantly warm if you are seeing some sunshine after that rather cool start. But there are some showers to dodge, particularly across parts of eastern, central, and southern england. There could be heavy ones with rumbles of thunder and a few in scotland towards the north and the west but a greater chance of catching one today compared with yesterday. One or two popping up in Northern Ireland as the day goes on but overall a brighter day and temperatures a bit higher than yesterday with one or two spots getting to 22c. We will keep a few of the showers going on into the evening and most of them will fade away but there will be showers and outbreaks of rain across north Western Scotland. It doesnt look quite as cool tonight but again, away from towns and City Centres, there will be places in the countryside that go down into single figures. There is a frontal system out to our west at the moment. Very slowly trying to move in and it will be the focus of more showers around tomorrow and even some outbreaks of rain initially towards the North And North west of scotland, perhaps the most western side of Northern Ireland, but as it edges in there will be heavy showers breaking out in Northern Ireland and in scotland towards the north and west. Across Northern England some heavier, may be thundery downpours to contend with so a greater chance of catching them tomorrow compared with today and one or two dotted about elsewhere across england and wales. Many places stay dry, pleasantly warm and sunny spells but a more significant Weather Change from thursday onwards as the area of low pressure moves in. The winds picking up around that and around the western coast with just around 40mph on thursday but turning breezy across the uk with bands of rain or showers gradually edging east during the day and the area of low pressure will be right across us On Sunday so by then there will be few places avoiding some particularly heavy downpours on friday. Could be thundery in places, possibly disruptive with the risk of flooding. The showery weather continues into the weekend and perhaps fewer showers as we go on through sunday and a bit drier into the start of next week. This is Bbc News. The headlines. Another good day for british athletes in tokyo Keely Hodgkinson wins Team Gb� s first Track Medal Silver in the womens 800 metres final. Its will take a couple of days to sink in. I am so happy. Britain rules the waves at the games with double gold in the sailing. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell in the Mens 49er class and Giles Scott in the Finn Class. And Beaming Biles after struggles with her Mental Health Superstar American gymnast Simone Biles takes bronze on the beam. First minister Nicola Sturgeon says scotland will remove most of its remaining Covid Restrictions from monday and end the use of its Level System. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings will continue. This change is significant and hard earned. The Sacrifices Everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated. Borisjohnson meets the Opposition Leader of belarus after one of the countrys athletes at the olympics sought sanctuary in a foreign embassy. Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya told the bbc why she made the move. I want people to stop being afraid. When there is pressure it is important not to keep silent. And mowing a meadow in historic Style Shire horses are being used to harvest a Wildflower Meadow at Kings College cambridge. Good Afternoon And Welcome to Bbc News. Team gb are celebrating more medals at the Tokyo Olympics. There was double gold for britains sailors. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell claimed victory in the Mens 49er class, and Giles Scott retained his title in the Mens Finn class. In the Athletics Keeley Hodgkinson brought home Team Gb� s first medal on the track with a silver in the 800m beating Kelly Holmess british record in the process. Jason kenny gets silver in the Mens Team Sprint and equals the total Medal Haul of sir Bradley Wiggins to become the joint most decorated british olympian. There was also silver for his wife Laura Kenny in the Womens Team Pursuit herfifth Olympic Medal. Meanwhile the american gymnast Simone Biles who pulled out of four finals to focus on her Mental Health has been back in action, winning bronze in the beam final. More on all that coming up, but first, Daniela Relph on britains sailing triumphs today. It was a display of dominance on the water for Team Gb, maintaining the strong run of success in olympic sailing. The Mens 49er was a race that had all the drama of a sprint finish. We are going to repeat ourselves, this is a crucial moment. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell had to hold onto their lead and stay away from germany and New Zealand in the final chase. Can they carry it all the way to the finish . Right on the line, Great Britain when the Medal Race and with it the Gold Medal in tokyo 2020. And that euphoria was shared by the families watching at home, miles away. They were not in Gold Medal position but in The End it all turned out well. Fantastic. The most exciting race i have ever watched him sail and with the right outcome as well. Absolutely delighted. We cannot believe it. All these years, since he was 12, and he has hit the top slot and we are absolutely delighted. Giles scott, the World Number Eightjust needs to finish in the top half. He knew what he had to do to defend his title in the Finn Class and Giles Scott left it to The End to push through. Giles Scott Right at the last moment crosses the line the points are on his side and Giles Scott at the line holds on to the Gold Medal. For Giles Scott. A watery celebration as he confirmed his place as one of the greatest ever sailors in Great Britain. Cheering and applause. There was another family celebrating and a quick chance to say their own congratulations. Go and celebrate, you are amazing, we love you. It is a first for us, she never watches his racing and for her to put herself through that is awesome and we can onlyjust say thank you for delivering in The End, although as he said, at least you did not have a heart attack. He managed to regainl and that is really good. I have watched quite a few starts on the racecourse but not with him in the fleet. The scores are collected over a number of rounds and this was enough to get Anna Burnet and John Gibson a silver medal. It puts Team Gb at the top of the Medal Table in sailing with the prospect of more tomorrow. Daniela relph, Bbc News. Cyclist jason Kennys Success makes him britains equal most Decorated Olympian of all time. And theres been more success for Team Gb today there was silver for pat mccormack in boxing, and bronze Forjack Laugher in diving. On the track meanwhile there an extraordinary win for norways Karsten Warholm, who smashed his own World Record in the Mens Aoom hurdles. Andy swiss was watching. This time it was not to be. It is gold for The Netherlands. Still silver, and for kenny that was a place in the record books, his eighth Olympic Medal, six of them gold, making him britons most Decorated Olympian. You catch up on the momentum. To repeat it and having to do it again and again. Earlier, Jasons Wife Laura Kenny took silver in team pursuit. Herfifth Olympic Medal took silver in team pursuit. Her fifth Olympic Medal as the Family Tally continues to grow. There was another british medal in the boxing, although not the colour pat mccormack was hoping for. The 26 year old from sunderland is the current Commonwealth Champion but after being edged out in the Welterweight Final by cubas Roniel Iglesias, hes had to settle for olympic silver. In the diving, meanwhile, there was success Forjack Laugher. After winning bronze in the springboard, he revealed hed considered retiring earlier this year because of Mental Health issues. This means so much, he said. Simone biles is back. In the gymnastics, meanwhile, the return of a sporting superstar. A week after withdrawing from competition to focus on her Mental Health, Simone Biles was back for the final of the beam and back to near her best. That was enough to put her into the lead and while she later slipped down to bronze, her olympics has ended with an emotional comeback and another medal. In the athletics, though, there was agony for another british hope, Adam Gemili pulling up in his 200m heat. He later revealed he had injured himself in the warm up and his pain was all too clear. I just felt my hamstring go and i was in so much pain. Ijust said, strap it up, let me go out there and at least try. Because you have to try. And. Yeah. But elsewhere perhaps the performance of these games. In the 400 metres hurdles final, Karsten Warholm ripped up the record books. Warholm is going to go away and take the win, its gold for norway, 45. 94. The norwegian smashing his own World Record by the best part of a second, leaving commentators reaching for the superlatives. That performance by Karsten Warholm is possibly the best ive ever seen. I cant believe the time, a lot of time ive been asked about the perfect race, i said it didnt exist, but this is the closest thing ive ever done. A time and a talent to go down in olympic history. Andy swiss, Bbc News. Latest coronavirus figures that have just been issued by the uk government. A total of 21,000 691 cases in the 2a hours to tuesday, which compares to 20,952 notified on the 24 which compares to 20,952 notified on the 2a hours to monday. That is new infections of people in the uk. On the 24 infections of people in the uk. On the 2a hours to today, 138 deaths reported of people who had tested positive in the previous 28 days for covid. That, iam positive in the previous 28 days for covid. That, i am told, positive in the previous 28 days for covid. That, iam told, is positive in the previous 28 days for covid. That, i am told, is also a slight increase in that number of deaths on last week, even as there has been a decrease in the number of infections compared to a week ago. The broad trend, the good news, there appears to be a levelling off in hospital admissions as a result of infection, that has been the big concern with the Delta Variant and as a result of restrictions being lifted two weeks ago, which was a concern, in the lag of two weeks, we often see impact. Nicola sturgeon has confirmed the Scottish Government will go ahead with plans to end most remaining Covid Restrictions on august ninth. The First Minister said laws requiring physical distancing and limiting social gatherings will be dropped and all venues will be allowed to open. But laws requiring face coverings to be worn in some indoor settings will remain in place. And adults identified as close contacts of covid cases will no longer have to self isolate for ten days as long as they are fully vaccinated, symptom free and have a negative Pcr Test. Lets take a listen to what she had to say a short time ago. Its the combination of the steady decline in cases, the success of vaccination, helping to weaken the link between cases and serious illness and of course our understanding of the social, health and economic harms continued restrictions have, all underpinned by our obligation to ensure that any restrictions that remain in place are lawful. In other words, that they are both necessary and proportionate that forms the basis for our Decision Today to move beyond level zero. The move beyond level zero will entail the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions, most notably on physical distancing and limits to the size of social gatherings. It also means from the 9th Of August No Venues will be legally required to close. This change is significant and it is hard earned. The Sacrifices Everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated. However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal The End of the pandemic, or a Return To Life exactly as we knew it before covid struck. Declaring freedom from or victory over the virus, is in my view, premature. The harm the virus can do, including through the impact of Long Covid, shouldnt be underestimated and its ability to mutate may yet pose us real challenges. Nicola sturgeon addressing the Scottish Parliament earlier. Lets get more on this with professor devi sridhar, Whos Chair of global public health at edinburgh universitys medical school. Thank you forjoining as again. The first thing to ask is whether you think that the latest statistics, i gave the uk figures, but as they apply in scotland, whether they provide an encouraging backdrop for the lifting of the restrictions that were announced this afternoon . Definitely. People are so used to hearing bad news that right now, seeing a decline in cases, a flattening of fossilisation is, some sense that we are gaining control over the situation in the short term, we should welcome that news and see how we plan for the next few months we head into winter. Flattening of hospitalisations. What concerns in the line of what you heard today have you regarding the return of students . We saw what happened last autumn, the set of clusters of cases. The real push we need to use as vaccinations, asking students to get vaccinated, make sure they are doubly vaccinated by the time they get onto campus, testing, having regular Pcr Testing, lateral flow as well at home that people can do easily, try to use those tools to try to stop any kind of exponential growth in cases. What are the prospects of face to Face Teaching this term . They are pretty decent. I would not see it will be exactly eight normal Campus Experience but i think the idea is to have more than there was last autumn, when they tried face to face and moved quickly to online learning. Young people have sacrificed a lot to this pandemic, not only in terms of their social lives, but also in terms ofjobs, education and future prospects. It should be a priority to try to get that back, using the tools we now have. Medical training, of its nature, is a practical hands onjob. What effect has it had, the loss of that year, may be longer, for medical students . Have some been forced to add a year effectively to the training . How have they got round it . I cannot speak to that exactly but what i could see is that in the first Year Lot of work is coursework, clinical work in later years. Hopefully at least for that stage of learning, zoom, i did teach medical classes by zoom. It was as good as we could get last year. Hopefully things will move, as you say, more and more face to face, as this academic year progresses. It must be, given that your focus is global, this must be frustrating for you in some ways to see how much things are improving in the uk and other developed industrial countries and how limited improvement opportunities have been in other parts of the world . Parts of the world . Yes, it is stark. Look parts of the world . Yes, it is stark. Look at parts of the world . Yes, it is stark. Look at britain, parts of the world . Yes, it is stark. Look at britain, the i parts of the world . Yes, it is stark. Look at britain, the united states, places where you see high vaccination coverage, numbers coming down, some sense of normality, restrictions lifting, a sense of relief that people feel. Other parts of the world, indonesia, india, brazil, peru, you see daily records being set in terms of new debts and new cases because they do not have the uptake we have, we know that will be the same picture across sub saharan africa. Over 70 countries have less than 5 of the aduu countries have less than 5 of the adult population vaccinated. We should not take what we have here lightly in terms of the progress we have made. We should be proportionate. We have adequate supply of vaccinations. The pandemic is not over until it is over everywhere and we need to continue to look out for all parts of the world. Thank you. The headlines on Bbc News. Britain rules the waves at the Tokyo Olympics with double golds in both the mens 49 ers class and the Finn Class. Most coronavirus restrictions in scotland will be removed from monday and the use of the Levels System ended. Face coverings will continue to be worn in some indoor settings. Latest covid data shows 21,691 new cases reported in the uk and 138 deaths have been recorded within 28 days of a positive test. Svetla na ti kha novs kaya svetla na tikhanovskaya was svetlana tikhanovskaya was an intentional leader of the opposition because her husband was arrested. Unintentional. She had been staying in neighbouring countries as she campaigned for more classical freedom. Hertalks campaigned for more classical freedom. Her talks with the prime Minister Today came a day after one of the belarus olympic athletes looked for sanctuary, as she feared for her safety in belarus. The opposition in belarus has faced a brutal crackdown since president lukashenkos disputed Re Election a year ago. Richard galpin reports. In the midst of the olympics, a different drama playing out. This athlete from belarus, svetla na tikhanovskaya, now in her second day taking sanctuary here in the Polish Embassy. I want to get safely back to europe and be in a safe place. Opposition activists in belarus say No One who speaks out against the oppressive belarus government is safe, not even olympic athletes. The belarus president , alexander lukashenko, who has been in powerfor 27 years, has been ruthless in suppressing any dissent in the country. Those who try to protest face beatings and arrest by the authorities. Its led to many leaving the country. Today, the belarus Opposition Leader, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, has been holding talks with the Prime Minister here in Downing Street. She wants western countries to impose sanctions on the belarus authorities and shes well aware of the risks she is taking in opposing president lukashenko. I can disappear at any moment, i understand this, but i should do what i am doing. I Cant Stop because i am. You know, ifeel responsibility for the future of my country, the same as all those who are fighting at the moment, who feel the responsibility. The Discovery Today that this belarus activist, vitaly shishov, has been found dead in the ukrainian capital kyiv, will add to concerns about the safety of those opposing president lukashenko. The activist was found hanged in this park. The ngo He Ran says it had received warnings that belarusian Special Forces were in the area. Richard galpin, Bbc News. More now on the olympic games we can cross to my Colleague Lucy hockings in tokyo. A warm welcome to tokyo and the american gymnastics superstar, Simone Biles is back. She returned to the beam and landed a bronze. A confident routine of an athlete in full command. She scored a total 14. 0 and was all smiles. The 24 year old said afterwards she wasnt expecting a medal and just wanted to go out there for herself. She also said shes proud of herself after all she had been through. The star of the rio games had pulled out of other disciplines due to a dangerous mental block gymnasts can experience called the twisties. Biles competed alongside all around Champion And Teammate suni lee, but it was chinas guan chenchen who secured the Gold Medal. Shes only 16. Her routine was technically difficult and it was performed with such skill and composure. On the athletics track, jamaican Elaine Thompson Herah has achieved the incredible also. Five years ago in rio, she became the first woman for 28 years to achieve the 100m 200m Sprint double. Now shes gone on to do the double double two golds in rio, two golds in tokyo. Look at her crossing the Finish Line. She makes it look so easy Christine Mboma came second, taking silver for namibia. Injune, she was barred by world athletics from running in the 400 metres because of her raised levels of testosterone. And in whats been described as one of the greatest races in olympics history. Norways Karston Warholm won gold in the mens 400 Metre Hurdle in a World Record time of 45. 94 seconds. Its the first time anyone has run the event in less than 46 seconds. He has tweeted that now he is an olympic champion and has a World Record, his biggest dream has now become reality. As weve been hearing the jamaican Elaine Thompson Herah has achieved the incredible she became the first woman for 28 years to achieve the 100m 200m Sprint double. In the last few minutes, ive been reflecting on that triumph with the jamaican Track And Field legend and eight time Olympic Medallist, veronica campbell brown. It was an incredible race. I was nervous watching the race. She executed that race so smoothly. She peeked at the right time. I am very happy for her. Peaked at the right time. It was a dynamic run. It was an excellent race to watch. And in whats been described as one of the greatest races in olympics history. This footage from norway, his friends and family gathering. Translation yes, what can i say. It totally indescribable experience. It is one thing to hope it could go well but i never expected he would win by such a margin. Translation it was amazing. An incredible time. There are no words for it incredible time. There are no words for it it incredible time. There are no words for it it was incredible time. There are no words for it. It was amazing how he managed for it. It was amazing how he managed to perform today. I am totally managed to perform today. I am totally overwhelmed. It is managed to perform today. I am totally overwhelmed. It is always a lovely moment totally overwhelmed. It is always a lovely moment watching totally overwhelmed. It is always a lovely moment watching friends i totally overwhelmed. It is always a l lovely moment watching friends and Family Cheering on their olympians here in tokyo. Many of them would have wished to be here, of course. The stadiums are empty because of coronavirus. The athletes finish their events, sometimes that is television there, they look up for families. That is one of those moments that technology has made happen. In norway, celebrating an incredible race today. Young people will see their careers benefit by working in the office, the chancellor, rishi sunak, has said. He told Linkedin News he doubted he would have done as well if he had started his working life virtually. Im nowjoined by ben page, who is the chief exectuive of ipsos mori. Theyve done research on young people working from home. It is hard for young people to see whether the chancellor is right or not. What to do we know about their attitudes to returning to the office . ,. , attitudes to returning to the office . ,. , attitudes to returning to the office . ,. ,. , office . Six out of ten people, 25, 26 and under. Office . Six out of ten people, 25, 26 and under, see office . Six out of ten people, 25, 26 and under, see that office . Six out of ten people, 25, 26 and under, see that they office . Six out of ten people, 25, i 26 and under, see that they need office . Six out of ten people, 25, i 26 and under, see that they need to be working face to face with colleagues to do theirjob properly. That figure is only half that for people my age, i was born in 1965, i am a more established professional. Young people recognise that the need to go into offices. The challenge, perhaps by the chancellor is addressing this, is that even though young people are often private renting, the living conditions are cramped, only 50 of them saying that working at home puts pressure on their well being, the figure for my age is only 40 , they are more likely to see the need to go into an office, or are likely to see not comfortable at home, but most people do not like commuting, most people, including them, say they can work at home, even the ones who see the need to work face to face with other people in order to be effective, at the same time, one in five say they want to work completely remotely. It will be a challenge for employers to get young people, or some young people, back into the office. But he is probably right, and to recognise it themselves, that to learn, you need to be with other people. You are in that slightly special category, because you are at the boss. Your expense of Office Life may be slightly different from other workers, even of your own age. In terms of your company, you have taken quite a lot of young people since the lockdown began. This must be a concern for you . It is. We have taken on hundreds of young people. Mike marie is, to understand the culture of an organisation, my worry is, to understand the culture of an organisation, if you are just in your house staring at your screen it is hard to build that spirit, that fantastic knowledge that you pick up by being amongst other people. It is hard. I think we will need to get people back into offices, but we will do it in a different way. Whatever the chancellor thinks it is true, and nationwide, the to be that people like me used to have about remote working is busted. People recognise that there are certain tasks that can be done at home on a computer and other tasks that you need an office, particularly at the start of your career, you need to learn with other people. Big learn big lesson, many employers learned that working from home is not skiving. Are there other ways to achieve the objectives you want . Open air events, social events, to try to establish face to face relationships, albeit at a distance . Absolutely. We tried all of that. We had an amazing Christmas Party. We have coffee roulette, you suddenly get introduced to somebody you have not worked with before stop it is those chance meetings where you spread information around the company without doing it any formal and structured way. We need officers, but perhaps not in the way we originally thought we needed them for. I bet the Christmas Party was more restrained. No danger of sinking, who did i kiss under the mistletoe after a few drinks . Danger of sinking. Now its time for a look at the weather with Nick Miller many places with a dry afternoon, some sunny spells after a cool start to the day, feeling pleasantly warm in the sunshine. We are still dodging a few heavy, perhaps thundery showers, affecting parts of the midlands, eastern and southern england. Not many for wales and Northern England. There will be a few in Northern Ireland but overall a brighter day compared with yesterday. A couple in scotland especially in the north and west. Temperatures are a bit higher than yesterday. A few places reaching 22c, across Northern England, for example. Some of the showers will continue into the evening and then fade away, and whilst overnight most places will be dry, there will be some outbreaks of rain affecting north western parts of scotland. It has been very dry here so far this summer. Some of that rain may be welcome. Temperatures will be lower in rural areas so again someplace places starting tomorrow in single figures. Plenty of sunshine from The Word Go but we will see some showers for Northern Ireland and northern and Western Scotland and more in northern England Tomorrow compared with today. A few elsewhere in england and wales. Still some heavy and thundery downpours. Hello, this is Bbc News. The headlines another good day for british athletes in tokyo a first Track Medal for Team Gb with silver for Keely Hodgkinson in the womens 800 metres final. Britain rules the waves at the games with double gold in the Sailing In both the Mens 49er and the Finn Classes. And after struggles with her Mental Health, Superstar American gymnast Simone Biles takes bronze on the beam. Scotland will remove most of its remaining Covid Restrictions from monday and end the use of its Levels System. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings will continue a convicted terrorist shot dead by police in south london after going on a High Street Stabbing Rampage Signalled his intention to commitjihad and kill the queen before he was released from prison, an inquest has heard. Sport and for a full Round Up from the Bbc Sport centre, heres austin. Good afternoon. Hi, sean, good afternoon. Team gb has a new star on the track. 19 year old Keely Hodgkinson who took silver in the womens 800 metres, to cap off a brilliant day for the brits in tokyo. She was competing in a really tough field and managed to finish in second behind americas athing mu in a time of1 minute, 55. 88 seconds a personal best, and british record, beating Kelly Holmes previous best. So elation for her. She pipped the highly fancied american raevyn Rogers Butjust missing out for britain, wasjemma reekie, she finished 4th, with Alex Bell in 7th. But a brilliant silver from hodgkinson. Im pretty speechless right now. Obviously, Kelly Holmes is a legend of british athletics, and will be for a long time, and ive looked up to her. She is a lovely person. I have no words for that, honestly, but i want to thank my amazing team and my family who have made so many sacrifices for me. Trevor and jenny. They have put so much belief in me. Cos i did it. Meanwhile, just like in rio, Elaine Thompson Herah has been crowned the Sprint Queen of the tokyo games. She took gold in the womens 200 metres to go with her gold in the 100 at the weekend. She surged to victory in 21. 53 seconds the second fastest time in history it means that Thompson Herah completes the double double after achieving golds in the same events at rio in 2016. Namibias Christine Mboma and Usas Gabrielle Thomas took Silver And Bronze. It was a great morning for Team Gb on the water, with two Sailing Golds coming in the space of an hour. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell got first place in the Mens 49er after a nailbiting race to the Finish Line with germany. Its the first time Great Britain have won a Gold Medal in this classification. Shortly after, Giles Scott defended his Gold Medal in the Mens Finn. Thats six consecutive Gold Medals in for gb in this class. And there was a silver to add to the tally on the water with Anna Burnet and John Gimson getting second place in the mixed nacra17 class. Two medals came in the Track Cycling with golden Couple Jason and Laura Kenny, both adding to their already impressive hauls. A silver in the Team Sprint Forjason means he draws level with Bradley Wiggins on eight medals as britians most Decorated Olympian. Going into the final against The Netherlands, Team Gb had far too much work to do in the final lap. Kenny, along with Ryan Owens and jack carlin, battled but had to settle for silver beaten comprehensively by the dutch team who set a new olympic record. While Laura Kenny was denied a fifth olympic title her team were beaten by germany, who broke the World Record on their way to gold, in the Womens Team Pursuit. The british team of kenny, katie archibald, Neah Evans and Josie Knight were the favourites but they were outclassed by a really strong Germany Team, who took almost two seconds off their previous World Record time in an emphatic victory. So silverfor Team Gb, but kenny has the chance of gold in the Omnium Or Madison later in the week. Simone biles says it meant the world to her to be able to compete again after withdrawing from four events to protect her Mental Health. The american returned to the Gymnastics Arena with a Bronze Medal in the beam final, after saying she was suffering from what gymnasts call the twisties which means a gymnast becomes disorintated whilst mid air. It definitely feels a bit sweeter than the Bronze Medal in 2016, i had to go into Training And Change and i pulled out of my other finals because i was not cleared to do them and i did not think i was going to be cleared to do beam and when i was sitting down i was so nervous but it means the world that i could come out here and compete in front of the world for one more event at this olympics. And away from the olympics, ahead of the decisive third test between the British And Irish Lions and south africa, lions Coach Warren Gatland has rung the changes. Ken owens, wynjones, ali price, bundee aki, Josh Adams and Liam Williams all come into the starting team. Faf De Klerk and Pieter Steph Du Toit are both out injured for the boks. After winning the first test, the lions were beaten last weekend setting up a Winner Takes all clash on saturday. Thats all the sport for now. Austin, thanks for joining austin, Thanks Forjoining us. The giant Container Ship that blocked the Suez Canal earlier this year has arrived at felixstowe. The ever given got stuck for a week in march, leaving hundreds of ships queuing behind it, and causing huge delays to the delivery of goods. Lets speak to our correspondent, theo leggett. Better late than never but presumably there are implications of this long delayed arrival . Absolutely. You can see the ship behind me, the vessel which by itself managed to block one of the worlds biggest shipping lanes, the Suez Canal, six days, and because of that hundreds of ships were clogging the entrances and exits to the Suez Canal waiting for their chance to get through and every single one of those ships was delayed. There were knock on effects throughout the system, and the reason it has taken so long for the ever given to make it back to felixstowe, its final port of call, was because it was impounded by the egyptian authorities as they were unhappy they were having to bear the costs of closure of the Suez Canal for nearly a week. They impounded the vessel while they negotiated with its owners and insurers about who was going to pay and we dont know what the settlement has been but we know there is a settlement and we know there is a settlement and we know it runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars there is a big one. B5 millions of dollars there is a big one. � , , ~ millions of dollars there is a big one. ,. One. As is the ship. Were people interested one. As is the ship. Were people interested to one. As is the ship. Were people interested to see one. As is the ship. Were people interested to see it one. As is the ship. Were people interested to see it arriving . I one. As is the ship. Were people | interested to see it arriving . Yes, eole interested to see it arriving . Yes, peeple were interested to see it arriving . Yes, people were fascinated interested to see it arriving . Is people were fascinated because lets face it, this is an enormous ship, not the kind of thing you see every day but also it is an infamous ship, everybody heard the story of the closure of the Suez Canal and of course there are people here who are worried about business because that Ship Disrupted Businesses around the world because it disrupted the supply chains which means that the cost of shipping containers went up and it was one of many factors which has been pushing up the cost of importing goods into this country which we all rely upon. The combination of those things generated a huge amount of interest and yes, there were people lining the beach is waiting to get a glimpse. D0 the beach is waiting to get a lim se. The beach is waiting to get a limse. ,. , the beach is waiting to get a ilimse. ,. ,. ,. , glimpse. Do we know what was on board when it glimpse. Do we know what was on board when it was glimpse. Do we know what was on board when it was coming glimpse. Do we know what was on board when it was coming into i board when it was coming into felixstowe . Board when it was coming into felixstowe . A ,. , felixstowe . As you can see they are not many Containers Felixstowe . As you can see they are not many containers left felixstowe . As you can see they are not many containers left aboard i felixstowe . As you can see they are not many containers left aboard the | not many containers left aboard the ship because before it came here went to rotterdam and The Netherlands where off loaded a great deal of its cargo and with what is left it could be anything. I spoke to a Freight Agent this morning who had clients who had flooring materials on there, a contractor waiting for it for a very long time, and nonperishable foodstuffs, it could be anything, if you can put it in a containerand could be anything, if you can put it in a container and it comes from the far east, it can be shipped over in one of the super carriers. Fascinating to see it notjamming up the Suez Canal, canterbury in dock in felixstowe. Comfortably. If you are wondering why it has evergreen written on the side of it rather than ever given. A convicted terrorist shot dead by police after going on a High Street Stabbing Rampage Signalled his intention to commit jihad and kill the queen before he was released from prison, an inquest has heard. 20 year old Sudesh Amman was killed by Undercover Police on streatham High Road in south london last february. Our homes Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sanford gave us this update. We have been going through in detail through Sudesh Ammans Prison Record when he was in belmarsh and he was only in one prison during his time after being convicted of a terrorist offence. He was sentenced to 40 months but he was automatically released after 20 months and almost from the moment he arrived in Belmarsh Prison there were concerns about his behaviour. We have gone through every report there was on the prison intelligent system and the prison intelligent system and the other various prison databases. For example he was found with an arabic note in his cell which he swore allegiance to the head of the islamic State Group and he talked about wanting to kill the queen and he talked about saying that he had not finished with the non believers yet. He mixed with many of the other convicted terrorists in belmarsh including the brother of the Manchester Bomber hashem abedi. Month after month after month, there were concerns expressed about his behaviour, about trying to radicalise other prisoners, about talking about isis when he was not supposed to, and being warned about his behaviour and about being sent to the high Security Unit within Belmarsh Prison, because of his behaviour. All the time his Release Date was coming down the track, just a few weeks before his release he was involved in a protest with other prisoners in which hejumped onto the net in, sojust prisoners in which hejumped onto the net in, so just before prisoners in which hejumped onto the net in, sojust before he prisoners in which hejumped onto the net in, so just before he was released, a senior Police Officer from the metropolitan polices counter Terrorism Command wrote to the governor of Belmarsh Prison asking if there was a way that because of the protest in which had jumped onto the netting, maybe there was a way his release from prison could be delayed, but the governor of belmarsh wrote back and said that wasnt going to be possible and so Sudesh Amman was going to be released on the 23rd of january. And so a plan was put in place to control him after that and he was put into a Hostel In Streatham and he was given 24 Hour Surveillance by a police Surveillance Team. He was seen going into poundland and buying some tape, bottles and tin foil, things which had been used to make Hoax Suicide vests before, so M15 And Counterterrorism police had a meeting that night on the 31st Of January to consider what they would do if he is found that he has made a Hoax Suicide vest and they decided they could not arrest him at that stage and they discussed what should be done if he is seen to be buying a knife and what is to be done if he is seeing buying a knife which he then under wraps and so it was that it came to the 2nd Of August and Sudesh Amman left his hostel and he was being followed by an arm Surveillance Team consisting of nine officers, four of them on foot and five in vehicles, one of those on a bike. He walks into a Convenience Store and grabs a knife and is unwrapping it as he comes out of the Convenience Store and a Surveillance Officer at sea is this happening and begins to pursue him down streatham High Road in south london and manages to stab a woman and a man as he runs up the road about 100 metres before two of the Undercover Officers catch up with him, open Fire And Shoot him and he died from his injuries. It shows that although there were all these concerns about him before his release and all these concerns about the management of him after his release, he still managed to stab two people although thankfully both of them were able to survive. The headlines on Bbc News. Another good day for Team Gb in tokyo including double Sailing Golds in the Mens 49ers class and in the Finn Class. Scotland will remove most of its remaining Covid Restrictions from monday and end the use of its Levels System. The wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings will continue. Labour says the Governments Policy on International Travel is in Total Chaos after proposals for a new Amber Watchlist were abandoned. The list would have allowed holidaymakers to see which countries were in danger of being put on the governments Red List which would mean having to quarantine in a hotel on their return. Travel firms opposed the idea, but the government has denied its made a u turn. Tony bonsignore reports. Holiday makers want to go. The Travel Industry wants to take them. The problem though is there are concerns over covid cases in countries like spain and greece. The idea of an Amber Watchlist was to warn travellers about those countries currently on the Amber List but that are in danger of turning red. If that happens, it would mean a forced stay in a Quarantine Hotel at the travellers own expense. It was an idea discussed by ministers but thats now been ditched. Weve looked at the various options. On balance we think the system has to be simple enough. But, you know, it is difficult to tread that careful balance and thats what were trying to do. But we definitely want to open up travel. Airlines are relieved. Its a victory for common sense. The last thing we needed was another category in the traffic light system. Whats really important now is customers need as much clarity as possible. Those looking to get away need to know theyre not going to be facing rules that are changing overnight. Labour is calling for more transparency. The current system is not fit for purpose. Weve seen that in the Way Portugal was treated, in the way france was treated, where they created an entirely new category for the Amber List. That creates more confusion and means the travelling public dont have the confidence to book ahead. What weve been calling for is a simple system that says its either safe to go, which means it should be on the green list, or its not safe to go, which means it ought to be on the Red List. This latest row comes amid an intense debate within government over International Travel. Whilst many remain cautious, others are making it known they want to open up more quickly to protectjobs. Its a difficult balance for the government to strike. The next big announcement will come in the next few days when we get the latest update to the travel list. Its a decision many Holiday Makers will be following closely. Tony bonsignore, Bbc News. Borisjohnson has said levelling up the poorest parts of the uk should start with tackling crime. One of the areas worst affected is rhyl in north wales, where serious violence rose for four years until the first coronavirus lockdown. The town has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in wales, and is hoping to win new government funding. Our social Affairs Correspondent, michael buchanan, has been to visit. Siren Weekend Patrol in the most violent neighbourhood in wales. He said he was going to punch me. I did not step forward. Were not getting anywhere now. As Covid Restrictions ease, theres fear here, as elsewhere, that serious crime will increase. Cutting crime is the centrepiece of the governments efforts to reduce regional inequalities. But doing so here in rhyl is not straightforward. Tackling crime doesntjust mean flooding the area with extra Police Officers. For me, it would be using the levelling up money to tackle the underlying causes of crime. Rhyl, and certainly the Town Centre and the west part of rhyl, does have long standing issues with unemployment. For me, those issues of social deprivation are inextricably linked to the violent crime issues that we have. Violent crime for a long time in rhyl was linked to the night time economy. Assaults and beatings and stabbings, a consequence of drinking too much, often at the weekend. In recent years, the nature of violence here has changed dramatically. Natasha harper has intimate knowledge of crime locally. Not only does she hear about it through her charity work, she was a victim of domestic abuse herself. There was beatings, theft of jewellery to sell for drink. Lots of emotional abuse. Broken bones, cuts. He was standing over me with a chair and i knew if i couldnt get away he would have killed me. Natashas charity delivers furniture to those in need. This time, another woman fleeing domestic abuse, which is a major driver of crime in rhyl. Violence, however, is also being imported to the town. This Car Chase ended with the murder of a local man as gangs from nearby cities fought for control of rhyl� s drug trade. Crime just gives the place a bad name and reputational issue, isnt it, for us all . Thats probably been one of the key barriers weve had to address in terms of getting the private sector and getting confidence in the town of rhyl. Millions of pounds have been spent in recent years, reviving rhyl� s tourist facilities. The challenge now is to make the town an attractive place to live and work, not just visit. Michael buchanan, Bbc News, rhyl. Breaking news about the investigation into the governor of new York State, anthony cuomo, investigated by the state attorney general, she hasjust published it and found that he sexually harassed current and former new York State employees, nonconsensual touching, numerous offensive comments, she describes it as a toxic workplace and the climate of fear in which he engaged in unwanted groping, kisses and hugging and inappropriate comments. Very serious further support for allegations which the government has denied but it is likely to increase the political pressure he has been under a new York State. The other breaking news, reports of an explosion in the heart of the afghan Capital Kabul in the diplomatic quarter of the city. There are no reports of any casualties at the moment but we understand the explosion was considerably loud and widely reported across the city. A thick plume of smoke seen in the sky there. We are looking for some pictures at the moment as if we can show you that but i understand a thick plume of smoke over the sky and these are the life pictures from kabul this afternoon which gives you an idea of the smoke. We dont know the source of the explosion but we do know that the taliban has been intensifying its assault on regional capitals. Government forces in afghanistan are battling to stop the taliban from taking control of lashkar gah, the capital of Helmand Province, where british troops were stationed for many years. The militants are reported to have captured most of the city. The Talibans Assault in helmand is part of a major offensive across the country following the departure of american troops. The afghan president said things would be better in six months but the question is whether his government has six months. Our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet has the latest from the Capital Kabul. These are not images that would be easy to see for british soldiers on the same streets where they patrolled for years in their berets. They are now overrun by taliban fighters. Some of the major squares in the city, the taliban have been filming themselves there. The latest images to emerge from this besieged capital of Helmand Province is of the Police Headquarters coming under assault. Also, the taliban is trying to attack the prison to free some of the inmates there. The afghan Special Forces, who had been helicoptered into reinforce the forces on the ground, are also being backed up by afghan warplanes in the skies which had been also bombing targets in the city, trying push the taliban back. In the us, as well, in the last weeks of the us led nato military mission, the 20 year long mission, the united states is also using its Air Power to try to support afghan forces. This is a really, really tough fight. As you mentioned, most of Helmand Province and indeed many districts across rural afghanistan are now in taliban hands. The city of lashkar gar, the capital, is in taliban hands. They are desperate to seize a provincial capital to get them notjust territory but a psychological boost. But the word from afghan forces is the war is not over yet. This week gardeners at the university of cambridge are abandoning their mechanical lawn mowers and turning to a much more historic way of managing their land. Shire horses will harvest a Wildflower Meadow which has recently been planted outside one of the countrys most famous buildings. Part of the lawn at the back of the world famous Kings College Chapel has been replaced with grassland. Once harvested the hay bales will be sent across cambridge so more meadows can be sown. Jo black reports it looks like a glimpse into the past, but actually six year old cosmo and 15 year old boy are Kings Colleges latest lawnmowers. Come on now. Come on. Keep going. Good lads. And today theyre here to mow a meadow. For two years, this carpet of wildflowers has replaced some of the colleges 18th century pristine lawn. The idea was to boost biodiversity on the site. The results, an increase in the number of species, a more natural environment, and an eruption of colour. Our Wildflower Meadow is now in its second year. We installed it to demonstrate the fact that Wildflower Meadows do have a place in urban areas because, of course, we are more or less in the middle of cambridge. The sustainability issues they address, the biodiversity they bring in, theresjust so much fun. And the Shire Horses are here to demonstrate the fact that you can actually manage these meadows, attempting to minimise the internal combustion engine. You know, you dont need to be flying over the top of it with a tractor all the time because, of course, horses are a lot lower carbon than tractors. For 250 years, the back lawn of Kings College has been part of this iconic image of cambridge. Changing it was a big gamble, but researchers say different species of plants and insects have been thriving. Ive been really surprised. I thought this project would be largely tokenistic, but actually its having collected the data over three years. Its big enough that it really does make a difference in terms of biodiversity. Its notjust species that were in the area anyway, feeding opportunistically at species that are finding and using this meadow as a meadow. For brett, the apprentice gardener, documenting the meadow has allowed him to fulfill his other passion of photography. Its changed so much in the last two years. The first year it was very showy poppies and cornflowers and things, and now its a lot more intense a lot more wild carrots. But the Insect Life Isjust incredible. But once youre actually inside, theres so many things. So many things buzzing around you, its amazing. Good lads, good lads. The meadow will be back next spring and could be expanded in years to come. Using Cosmo And Boy may not be the fastest or most efficient way of cutting the grass, but these heavy horses are kinder to the wildlife. Jo black, Bbc News. Ben brown will be with here for all the news at five oclock but thank you for being here for the last three hours. Now its time for a look at the weather with nick. Many places with a dry afternoon, some sunny spells after a cool start to the day, feeling pleasantly warm in the sunshine. We are still dodging a few heavy, perhaps thundery showers, affecting parts of the midlands, eastern and southern england. Not many for wales and Northern England. There will be a few in Northern Ireland but overall a brighter day compared with yesterday. A couple in scotland especially in the north and west. Temperatures are a bit higher than yesterday. A few places reaching 22c, across Northern England, for example. Some of the showers will continue into the evening and then fade away, and whilst overnight most places will be dry, there will be some outbreaks of rain affecting north western parts of scotland. It has been very dry here so far this summer. Some of that rain may be welcome. Temperatures will be lower in rural areas so again someplace places starting tomorrow in single figures. Plenty of sunshine from The Word Go but we will see some showers for Northern Ireland and northern and Western Scotland and more in northern England Tomorrow compared with today. A few elsewhere in england and wales. Still some heavy and thundery downpours. This is Bbc News im ben brown. The headlines at five. Britain rules the waves at the games with double gold in the sailing. Dylan Fletcher And Stuart bithell in the Mens 49er class and Giles Scott in the finn. And teenager Keely Hodgkinson takes silver in the womens 800 metres breaking the british record set by Kelly Holmes. I wanted to put it all out, leave it all out there. I leave it all out there. Want to thank my amazing Te Family i want to thank my amazing team, my family that made so many amazing sacrifices for me