Was ignored by the the legal system. Millions more at risk of flooding, as the percentage of the global population under threat, rises by almost a quarter since the start of the century. And im Sarah Mulkerrins in tokyo, on day 13 of the olympics, where more medals will be up for grabs, and ive been talking to a five time gold medallist, welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. The un says its deeply concerned about the safety of Tens Of Thousands of civilians in the afghan city of lashkar gah, the capital of Helmand Province. Taliban militants and government forces are waging an intense battle for control of the city. A Un Spokesman said there were reports of increased civilian casualties, and of homes and hospitals being destroyed. Afghan and us airstrikes on taliban positions continued throughout wednesday. Mark lobel reports. Several provincial capitals under taliban attack at least two reportedly breached, and security is forcing many afghan residents from their homes. We see a lot of schools are being destroyed, a lot of water plants, hospitals which are essential. We see that access to Care And Healthcare is extremely difficult. Displaced in kandahar, these families were separated from Loved Ones in the chaos. Kabul came under attack on tuesday night, first a Car Bomb targeting the defence minister, then deadly attackers roamed the streets. But these protesters say the taliban Arent Welcome in the capital. Our message was more to our troops, to stand in solidarity with our soldiers who are fighting the war, not just for afghanistan but for the entire world, against terrorism. In step with the protesters, the afghan president branded the taliban hypocrites for attacking what he called real muslims. He pledged to rapidly expand the number of afghan Special Forces fighting them. Translation there is no better opportunity to end the 43year. War and bloodshed as foreigners have left the country. After all, it is only the efforts and swords of the afghans that keep this country together despite the armys efforts, the taliban has already taken swathes of the country in the past few weeks. The question is how easily they may be able to capture urban areas. There is a much wider middle class established, the cities are much bigger and stronger within the political economy of the country, and women have really come into their own, but how much of these kinds of social and economic bulwarks will stop a kind of afghan i mean Taliban Islamist Takeover and a reversion to the kind of maoist policies that they adopted last time round is hard to tell. This is a bad time. It will take more than People Power to keep the taliban off the main streets, with many weeks of the countrys seasonal Fighting Season yet to come. Mark lobel, bbc news. Well, earlier i spoke to Michael Ohanlon whos a senior Fellow And Director of research at the brookings institutions foreign policy program. I asked him what hope is there the afghan government can retain control of so much lost territory. And british friends as well as us marines know very well the difficulty of holding onto Helmand Province. Even when we had the maximum effort there ten or 12 years ago. Again, so many brits and us marines gave their lives in trying to clear this area and keep the Opium Trade lines, trying to keep the other Movement Lines that the taliban would exploit trying to keep them out of enemy hands. There is no surprise that at this juncture, with the briss gone, with virtually all the marines gone, that indeed these cities are under serious siege. I think what you will see an afghanistan, as clearly we are already witnessing, some parts of the Countryjust Cannot be helped by the government, even if it gets some american air power backup, even if we continue to provide as an international community, economic and security assistance. And i think Helmand Province will be one of those that is hardest to hold, so the fact that you have honed in On Lashkar i think this is the right way to report this. That is the kind of city that will be very difficult to hold. I certainly support president ghanis efforts to try. I dont want to in any way disparage the army and Special Forces undertakings, but realistically speaking, this is probably not where they can maximise efforts productively. The question to me is going to be whether parts of kabul can be held, when the parts of the North And West can be held, and what i expect, unfortunately and tragically, to be an ongoing Civil War that maybe partitions the country more than it ultimately produces a quick taliban takeover, but we will have to see. Michael, obviously it is a desperate situation for the Tens Of Thousands told to leave their homes, for those caught up in the fighting, who have lost Loved Ones or indeed lost their own lives, but i wonder for people watching in america and elsewhere around the world, why does what happens happens in afghanistan matter to them . Its a fair question. Im not gonna shy away from the humanitarian argument. We cant stop all suffering around the world, but when we have invested so much as an international community, as nato, as a Donor Community in a country like afghanistan, to quickly depart without trying to hold onto what gains have been realised i think thats a mistake at a humanitarian level. Im not going to tell Anyone Tonight that they should somehow fearfor the last somehow Alqaeda Or Isis is going to have a big, new sanctuary in afghanistan. I hope we can prevent that. It will be harder, it will be more difficult. We will do it from over the horizon. It wont be as perfect, and there may be greater risks to targets in the west. But im not going to suggest that somehow we are all vulnerable to a catastrophic terrorist strike, i dont expect that. However, the effort we will have to make now speaking now as an american using bases in qatar, in kuwaitt, in Diego Garcia the british territory from which we fly a lot of operations, the indian ocean, it is actually going to be harder and more expensive, and less sure of results than what we were doing before. So as imperfect as the previous Afghanistan Mission was, i think to keep Alqaeda And Isis under wraps now, we can probably do it but not with a 100 guarantee of success, and probably with a lot more inefficiency, a lot more cost, and certainly a lot more cost to the afghani. The sprinter from belarus, krystsina tsimanouskaya, who refused orders to fly home from the olympics early because she feared for her safety has arrived in poland. She landed there on wednesday after being granted a humanitarian visa by the polish government. Earlier the most prominent Opposition Leader left in belarus, Maria Kolesnikova, made a defiant appearance as she stood trial for trying to overthrow president lukashenko. From minsk, Sarah Rainsford reports. Krystsina tsimanouskaya left japan with her olympic dreams shattered, but her route to safety secured. The belarusian athlete says she just wants to run. Her life was sports, not politics until a row with her coaches left her too scared to go home. But here inside belarus, State Television has slammed her claims as cheap hype. The only thing tsimanouskaya won in tokyo, this presenter says, is a polish visa. On the streets of minsk, though, we did find sympathy for the sprinter whos fled because there is zero tolerance of dissent here now. Were all afraid, dmitri says. Me, too, sometimes, because the situation is unstable. The danger is real. We pass the prison where Opposition Activists have been locked up since mass protests last year. But somehow Maria Kolesnikova is still smiling. The Protest Leader appeared in Court Today charged with plotting to seize power. She and a fellow activist are facing 12 years behind bars. Marias father brought her flowers. But had to pass them on via her lawyer. Alexander hasnt been allowed to see his daughter for ten months, an extra punishment. And the woman who wanted to change belarus did this dance of defiance. For her dad, it was a chance to smile. It just shows how free she still is inside, he told me, despite everything. Sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. The mexican government is suing major us Gun Companies, accusing them of failing to stop the illegal flow of weapons across the border. Thousands of murders in mexico have been linked to the trafficking of arms. Mexican foreign minister, marcelo ebrard, says his country is seeking billions of dollars in compensation. Translation what is | the goal of this lawsuit . What is mexico trying to achieve . What is the objective . First, the defendant companies compensate the mexican government for the damages caused by the negligent practices. Well, earlier i spoke to the loan grillo, a Journalist And Author covering the violence in mexico and asked whether this Law Suit was anything more than symbolic. I think it is, i think its significant for two reasons. One is that i mean, if you see a lot of changes in us industries over the years, a lot of it has you know, like the tobacco industry, the Pharmaceutical Industry With Opioids Being described a lot of the big chains have come from lawsuits. And this lawsuit by the mexican government coincides with other suits in the united states for things like the massacre at Sandy Hook and sueing the Gun Companies over that. So it could have an impact there. The second thing is that it really gets into the media and puts pressure on the us government to take this issue seriously of guns being trafficked through the united states to mexico, which is mind boggling in the scale. I mean, were talking about over the last decades estimates of more than 2 Million firearms being trafficked from united states to one of the most violent conflicts in the world. Even if this lawsuit is successful against the Gun Companies in the us, wont those who are doing the smuggling just find another way around it . Shouldnt the focus be on targeting the flow of arms and stopping that . Well, if you see the way guns are trafficked in the united states, you see the biggest firearms retail market in the world by far. I mean, the us has more guns in civilian hands than the next 25 countries combined. From there, it moves onto a parallel blackmarket of guns flowing to gangsters and criminals inside the united states, to mexico and to more than 100 other countries. And its very hard to actually stop the guns at the border because of the amount of commerce over the border. I mean, over half a trillion dollars of legal commerce between the united states and mexico every year absolutely huge amount of people, so its very hard to stop that. And it could be more effective trying to stop actually how guns are going to the cartels. And right now, basic Law Enforcement is not done. I mean, you have people doing things like buying 85 firearms in a single purchase they are going for gangsters. I mean, trucks with 175 firearms moving through the united states. So some quite extraordinary things happening in the way that these guns are being sold to the cartels inside the united states. And if the us doesnt toughen its laws on this front, what do you see the scenario coming from this, being for mexico . Well, its a continuation of What Mexico has been living for the past 15 years, what ive been covering, which is basically like a low intensity armed conflict. I mean, quite extraordinary violence, 35,000 murders a year. Youve cartels moving like major paramilitary groups, mass graves with more than 250 bodies, gunfights with 700 gummen against 250 soldiers. Sove youve got this, basically, really high level of violence, alongside a society of people trying to make it and many people living a normal lives. I think we will see a continuation of this disruption unless there is real effort on both sides of the border to try and change this circle of destruction. Ioan grillo there. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come day 13 of the Tokyo Olympics, 27 gold medals are up for grabs including in Mens Hockey and womens football. The question was whether we wanted to save our people and japanese as well and win the war or whether we wanted to take a chance on being able to win the war by killing all our young men. The invasion began at two oclock this morning. Mr bush, like most other people, was clearly caught by surprise. We call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all iraqi forces. 100 years old and still full of vigour, Vitality And Enjoyment of life no other King Or Queen in British History has lived so long, and the Queen Mother is said to be quietly very pleased indeed that she has achieved this landmark anniversary. This is a pivotal moment for the church as an international movement. The question now is whether The American vote will lead to a split in the anglican community. This is bbc world news, the latest headlines the un has issued a stark warning about the safety of thousands of civilians, in the afghan city of lashkar gar, as fierce fighting continues between the Taliban And Government forces. The mexican government sues 15 large us Gun Firms accusing them of failing to stop the illegal flow of weapons across the border. A new study published study in the science journal, at risk from flooding has risen by almost a quarter since the year 2000. Colin doyle is the director of innovation at cloud to street, a company which uses satellites and al to track floods anywhere on earth. Hes one of the study co authors. Earlier i asked him whats behind the increase in people affected is flooding happening in more places or are people are moving to places that are prone to flooding . We were looking at places that are flooded we were looking at places that are flooded quite we were looking at places that are flooded quite frequently, where we are seeing a large increase in the populationjust increase in the populationjust in the last 15 20 years. If this is what weve seen since 2000, is it a trajectory that, according to the Modelling Youve done, will continue, and more people will become at risk of suffering the effects of flooding . If we continue on current trends, and we use some projections for Population And Development going up to 2030, in accordance with this, its going to in crease significantly if we dont start moving and developing in places outside of the risk zones, and again, these are places where weve observed lighting happening with satellites. Colin, we have viewers watching All Around The World here on this programme and i just wonder whether particular regions youve identified that are seeing an increase in the risk or they are seeing these kind of events happening more severely recurrently. A lot of places around the world, and 90 , occurred in south southeast asia, and there is a lot of significant population increases. And parts of latin america, and the Middle East are seeing this. Our certain more effective, those deprived . Often, marginalise people end p often, marginalise people end up in marginalised land where it is cheaper. Often what happens is, the people with the least resources to respond and P Least resources to respond and up getting the Fracture And Loss from it. And at the news we see lots of flooding all over the place, but it is often concentrated on places where there is a lot of developed assets. This is actually happening All Around The World and people need help. Your report highlights the problem. What can governments do to try and create a solution . They can make better Flood Solution . They can make betterflood maps and districting, and encouraging a zoning so that they can get people out of those most risky places. As i mentioned as well, the Vulnerability Aspect of things, providing a sponsored managed retreats or housing in places where these people that would otherwise end up in at these dangerous bases are able to go. Theres been a fourth day of protests in delhi, over the alleged gang rape, murder, and forced cremation of a nine year old girl. Another factor is angering the protestors the fact the girl was from a dalit family, a low Status Caste in india, which some claim is often ignored by the legal system. Danjohnson sent this report. We feel shame, they are chanting. There are hundreds of people protesting, Calling Forjustice for this Family And Protection for dalits across india. Its four days since the nine year old went missing after going to get water from a crematorium. We cant identify her family but her father told us when the hindu priest was confronted, he confessed to killing the girl. This neighbour explained what happened on sunday. Translation parents came here crying. After they told us their daughter had died, we asked what happened. They said the priest told him she was electrocuted. Then we asked him, did you take her to the hospital or the police . They said, no, the priest burned the body. Hang the culprits, this sign says. Police are questioning the priest and three workers on suspicion of rape, Child Abuse and murder. Its a complicated, sensitive Investigation And Theyve been accused of not taking it seriously to start with. The family belongs to the lowest group in indias social Class Structure and these protests follow other violent attacks and decades of aggression. The message is dalit lives matter. Opposition Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi has been to see the family and he described the girl as the daughter of the nation. Delhis Chief Minister has also paid a visit and promised swift justice, saying the Death Penalty would be in order if the allegations are proven. This case has touched a nerve right across the country and the protests look likely to grow. Danjohnson, bbc news, delhi. Day 13 of the Tokyo Olympics is getting under way. Results for the mens 110 metres hurdles have come in. Hansle parchment was fastest to cross the line and the 110 metre hurdles, the mens final. Here is Ronald Levy adding to his Countrys Glory with a third Place Finish. Favourite and incumbent World Champion, Grant Holloway of the us, came in second place. The hungarian participant prevailed in the canoeing. For more on this, we can now cross live to tokyo, and Sarah Mulkerrins tell us more about that first medal of the day, and what we can expect a bit later. Talk to us about the hurdles. The shocks keep coming. I think everybody had Grant Holloway, The American, the World Champion he is one of the fastest athletes over those hurdles, over110 fastest athletes over those hurdles, over 110 metres. They had him as the strong favourite for the metal. Nobody was talking about anyone else. Indeed, i wasnt before the race. However, he got a great start, but with about 30 to go it was the jamaican, hansle parchment, who finished super strong. He got faster and faster towards the line and was able to beat him to the goal. It was a season best for the jamaican who won bronze In London in 2012. He was delighted with himself afterwards. And, of course, a third Place Finish for Ronald Levy. Jamaican success there. Questions for Grant Holloway. He is a super athlete, still really young, so No Doubt he will be back to defend his title next year in oregon. He was the champion in 2019. There was the champion in 2019. There was a shock for The Americans as well and the relay, the four by 100 metres. Usually The Americans are dominant but over the recent olympics since 2000 they have had an awful lot of slipups, shocks, and disqualifications to the relay final. They have done it again. They havent qualified for the final. They were in their heads and had a dreadful second changeover, so they finished in sixth place in the head. They missed out on the final completely. China won that heat and a surprise result. Jamaica, the favourite, they won the other head, so not very good in the last hour or so for The Americans. I am sure there will be metal chances elsewhere for america today. 27 metal events in total that we had to day of day 13 here at the olympics. Staying on at the track, because we do have the means to cattle on under way. Damian warner of canada will see if he cannot maintain his lead in that event. He is leading after seven events so they will have somewhat later on in the evening session. Anouk vetter of The Netherlands is the overnight leader in the Womens Heptathlon which finishes later. Australia and belgium will clash in the Mens Hockey final, with the World Champions belgium looking to win theirfirst olympic title. And karate, native to the japanese Royuku Islands that will be making its debut. You can reach me on twitter, im benmboulos. Hello. Our temperatures so far this week have topped out in the comfortable low 20s. In greece, a severe extreme heatwave is continuing. There are wildfires. Temperatures by day have topped out at 47 degrees, and overnight this is an overnight temperature on the island of crete into the mid 30s. Now, there is a bit of relief on the way towards the South East of europe in the coming days as temperatures will come down a bit. Ours are about to go down a bit, too. Low pressure is coming into the uk. The heavy downpours, there have been a few so far this week, are about to become more widespread again. This is how we start off on thursday morning, already some showers affecting Northern Ireland and western scotland. It will turn much wetter through Northern Ireland in the morning, but across the western side of the uk, even though you may start dry, rain will move in through the day. Thats going to extend eastwards to those areas still having some sunny spells even into the first part of the afternoon. Now, behind this main band of rain, Brightening Up in Northern Ireland, but here some slow moving Thundery Downpours bring a risk of Flooding And Disruption into the afternoon and evening. And temperatures still across eastern parts rising into the low 20s. All areas, though, Seeing Freshening Winds Gusting 30 110 mph. Windiest around Irish Sea coasts, blowing in plenty of showers as we go on through Thursday Night into friday morning. Some longer spells of rain in scotland, and temperatures as friday starts around the mid teens. Well, that low pressure right across us on friday, and there will be further heavy showers around through the central belt, southern scotland, Northern Ireland, northern england, north wales, parts of the midlands. This is where there is a risk of some slow moving, prolonged, even torrential downpours. Thundery, too, theyll bring a risk of Flooding And Disruption. Maybe not too many showers running across parts of southern england, but that could well change on saturday. Another set of weather fronts coming our way from the south just pepping up the downpours across southernmost parts of the uk. Whereas elsewhere, its a similar story. Therell be some heavy and Thundery Downpours around. It is worth bearing in mind, though, there will also be some sunny spells, not wet all the time. There will be brighter, drier moments in between these downpours. By saturday, many places with temperatures back down into the teens. Showery picture continuing on sunday and monday. By tuesday, that low Pressure System is out of the way. It will turn drier for a time, though another low moves in later next week. This is bbc news, the headlines the un has issued a stark warning about the safety of thousands of civilians, in the afghan city of lashkar gar, as fierce fighting continues between the Taliban And Government forces. In kabul, eight people have been killed in an attack at the home of the acting defence minister. The mexican government is suing major 15 us Gun Companies, accusing them of failing to stop the illegal flow of weapons across the border. Officials are believed to be seeking in the region of 10 Billion in compensation. The companies named in the Lawsuit Havent yet responded. Protests hae been taking place across delhi, over the alleged gang rape, murder, and subsequent cremation of a nine year old girl from a dalit family. There have been accusations that the case was ignored by the legal system. Four men, including a priest, have been arrested but deny wrongdoing