Also in the programme, the Uk Government defends changes to the rules on foreign travel as thousands of british tourists scramble to get home from mexico by sunday morning. The government has defended its decision to add the country to the government read list causing some difficulty to some who are there. I cant afford another £3000, and also with my work, i cant afford to take any extra time off. And i Cant Work in the quarantine hotel, so we had to get back. We start with the escalating fighting in afghanistan. For months now, the taliban have been gaining ground in rural and underpopulated areas. Now theres fierce conflict in several provincial capitals, the Afghan Army Fighting back in crowded neighbourhoods, and all this putting more civilians in more danger. This map shows you some of the key areas of the fighting kandahar, Herat And Lashkar gah. Lashkar gah is the capital of helmand province, which was the former headquarters of the british forces. Theres fierce fighting there, with the taliban now in control of large parts of the city. These are members of the Afghan Army there, whove been warning residents to stay away or leave. Locals have reported dead bodies in the streets and scarce supplies of food and water. Bilal sarwary is an afghan journalist based In Kabul. Here he is on the latest on the battle for Lashkar Gah. Well, we know that the afghan Special Forces have their operations in Lashkar Gah, but we have to remember the fighting is in the centre of the city. Its a city ofi million people. The taliban have managed to take control of the local bazaar as well as shops. Speaking to me, a Member Of Parliament from helmand, of parliament from helmand told me that people needed food and water, that there was no power and that the taliban were using Civilian Homes by digging walls going from home to home. He said the government was doing the same. So, its an incredibly painful and difficult situation for women and children. We know about shelling, we know about air strikes, intense ones in the city. So, this will be not an easy operation for the afghan Special Forces. Kabul has dispatched its most senior Special Forces general along with the elite forces. There have some successful defensive action by the Afghan Army. In the western city of herat, Security Forces helped by local warlords such as this man, Ismail Khan have thrown everything into repelling an offensive on the city. Journalist Charlie Faulkner has recently been in herat. Heres her account of what she saw there. I was on a Front Line there with Ismail Khan and the local fighters who are fighting, sort of answering to him, alongside the Government Troops. I mean, we could see that, you know, they are really sort of coming together and uniting in their attempts at trying to push back the taliban. You know, things have become very, very severe in herat, same as in kandahar and Lashkar Gah. The Afghan Army is also supported by the few remaining us troops in the country ahead of the final withdrawal planned for later this month. The bbc� s Abdullah Bakhtiar In Kabul explains how important the americans still are in the fight Against the taliban. Yeah, so, the us support for the Afghan Forces is very vital. As you know, the us forces have recently bombed some taliban. Positions in Lashkar Gah city, i which have apparently inflicted casualties on them, too. So, the support of the local forces, which are called the Peoples Uprising forces, are very important for the Afghan Forces. And theyre actually helping the Afghan Forces in many cities. For example, Ismail Khan, who was a formerjihadi leader, leads the Peoples Uprising forces in western herat province. In the meantime, the President L at a session in parliament called on the mp5 to use their influence and you know in the provinces. And make the people stand Against the taliban. So, giving the people support is very, very much importantl for the afghan Security Forces. Well, the final withdrawal of us troops is due within the next five weeks. General David Petraeus is former head of the cia and was commander of the us forces in afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. Here are his worries about Afghanistans Future without an american presence. I fear that we could see a full on Civil War of the type that followed the post soviet period in afghanistan, when all the different warlords have their militias back on the streets. You have the taliban, youll have khani, youll have various Extremist Groups and other insurgent elements and government forces. And eventually they may well converge On Kabul in the same way that the forces converged On Kabul in the mid 1990s, Again in the wake of the collapse of the post soviet afghan government. And well have more on the role of pakistan in the conflict in afghanistan later this hour. Here in the uk, ministers have defended changes to the rules governing foreign travel, with thousands of british tourists now scrambling to get home from mexico by sunday morning. The country has just been placed on the Travel Red List and means those returning to the uk will have to quarantine. There have been several other changes to the uks so called traffic light system. With more, heres our Transport Correspondent Caroline davies. The only Cancun Sunrise Robin and his wife viv will see this trip. Their pre Holiday Excitement soured quickly when they landed in mexico Last Night and heard that Itjoins The Red List on sunday morning. My wifes been really upset the last few hours, and the holiday itself was about £6000 so we were really treating ourselves for just a weeks holiday. And another couple of thousands for the additional flights that weve got, plus were still paying for all of the tests which we get back as well. So, yeah, its been a fair bit of money for effectively a day out. Hes among 5000 6000 british tourists currently in mexico. More flights have been added to get them home. So, theres 11 of us, its a family holiday, and our parents have taken us away. Well, we have had a, you know, quite bad year, and we just wanted to spend some Quality Family time together, which has now been destroyed in one fell swoop by a government thats nothing less than shambolic. The Prime Minister has asked people to be patient as travel changes. The plans have also been criticised for new rules for spain, now advising but not requiring travellers to have Pcr Tests rather than the cheaper lateral flow test. Now, we set a very high specification, so called the Sensitivity And Specificity for that test, which in the case of spain means that virtually everyone is already taking a pcr test. Thats helpful. But one of the biggest holiday operators, tui, said 90 of its Holiday Makers use lateral flow tests. Some conservative politicians have said Pcr Tests need to be dropped altogether. Pcr tests can be two to three times the cost of lateral flow testing. Its pricing out holiDays for those that dont have the means to pay for those tests. I wouldnt mind if the tests were going to be used for sequencing so we can find all variants of concern, but if only 5 of Pcr Tests are being sequenced, then surely its a complete waste of money. YesterDays news could be a late push for tourists to france. Eurotunnel and Eurostar Have reported an increase in bookings. This Kayak Club North of toulouse say they have missed Uk Holiday makers, but dont know how many will be back soon. Translation we are relieved restrictions have been lifted,. But were still dubious. Everyone anticipates and plansj their holiDays in may and june, and while i hope the british come back, im not sure they will. With the rules in place, im not convinced it will be that easy for them to travel here. India and the uae will go from red to amber, while seven new countries In Europe go green, but theres still some criticism about neighbouring countries being treated differently. To have india on the Amber List and its neighbouring Country Pakistan on the Red List makes no sense. And similarly for putting france on the Amber Plus and suggesting that spain may go onto the Red List. None of this makes clear control of infection sense. Back in mexico, robin is determined to enjoy his few hours of holiday. Ill try and go for a little wander along the beach. We need to get as much squeezed into this 2a hours. Escaping abroad might be easier, but uncertainty still hangs over holiDays. Caroline davies, bbc news. Irans new president , Ebrahim Raisi, has been sworn into office following his election victory injune. Mr raisi is an ultra conservative and is close to irans supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei. As a long time member of the political establishment in tehran, hes been touted as a possible successor to the ayatollah. The new president is also the former head of iransjudiciary and has been heavily criticised over his human rights record. Many iranians and Human Rights Activists have pointed to his alleged role in the mass executions of political prisoners in the 1980s. Amnesty international have accused the new president of crimes Against humanity, and, as they tweeted earlier, they. Im joined now by our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. Just looking at the new president s thinking, his possible motivations, what might induce him to engage with washington, with the west, the outside world . Washington, with the west, the outside world . Well, he says he is interested in outside world . Well, he says he is interested in diplomacy, outside world . Well, he says he is interested in diplomacy, and outside world . Well, he says he is interested in diplomacy, and of. Interested in diplomacy, and of course the principal gain in terms of engaging with the west would be the lifting of international sanctions. Because they are crippling the iranian economy, they are prohibiting to a sense of deep unease with frequent bouts of protests Against the government and so forth. So it would clearly help in that regard. In order to do that, he is going to have to reach some kind of deal that reconstitutes the 2015 iran nuclear deal, the so called jcpoa. He said he is open to those negotiations but he said he will not bow to pressure. You will be entering deceit to what extent he is willing to engage in that process, but what we should point out of course is that any ultimate decisions on this with they cannot buy him by the iranian supreme leader, the ayatollah. But clearly there are things to be gained by engaging with the west. Although most iranians, hardliners and moderates together, feel that iran had this opportunity before. Theyre willing to engage with the west, willing to engage with the west, willing to engage with the west, willing to sign a deal in 2015 only to be betrayed they see it by the west and to reap none of the benefits and to have Donald Trump simply walk away. So there is an awful lot of mistrust and misgivings on their site about the usefulness of engaging once Again. find on their site about the usefulness of engaging once Again. Of engaging once Again. And what about dealing of engaging once Again. And what about dealing with of engaging once Again. And what about dealing with tensions of engaging once Again. And what about dealing with tensions at of engaging once Again. And what i about dealing with tensions at home from both sides, from those who want more engagement with the outside and those were disappointed with prices and it was shortages, with their economic situation . Itruieiiii and it was shortages, with their economic situation . Well certainly Ebrahim Raisi economic situation . Well certainly Ebrahim Raisi has economic situation . Well certainly Ebrahim Raisi has struck economic situation . Well certainly Ebrahim Raisi has struck a economic situation . Well certainly Ebrahim Raisi has struck a very Ebrahim Raisi has struck a very populist tone in his inaugural address. He is talked about the need to address poverty and corruption. He has made no secret of his view that the previous administration of Hassan Rouhani that evil did not look after the interest of ordinary iranians. And clearly if you look at the waves of protests that erupted across the country several times in the past couple of years, the latest ones triggered in part by Water Shortages down in the southwest of the country, there is a great need to be seen to addressing the concerns of ordinary iranians. And thatis concerns of ordinary iranians. And that is going to be his prime motivation. He is going to be a populist, perhaps not in a flamboyant style of one of his predecessors, but certainly in a way that he hopes ordinary iranians will respond to. And he may look elsewhere when it comes to a rons formulations. He may look to china, to russia as he tries to reach out, not necessarily placing the same kind of emphasis on relations with the west as his predecessor. Pauli. The west as his predecessor. Paul, thanks very the west as his predecessor. Paul, thanks very much. But news for you from spain where barcelona had just announced that their Star Footballer Lionel messi is to leave. In a statement they have said despite reaching an agreement it has become impossible to come up with a deal that suits both the player and The Club. It comes as a Spanish League has been enforcing caps to Club Budget with Lionel Messi one of the highest paid players there. It means he is out of his contract and could in Theory Sign with any club in The World. As one of the most talented players in the game in the new European Season about to kick off, that could lead to some friends he deals across the continent. The belarusian athlete Krystina Timanovskaya says she is happy to be in safety in poland after arriving in the country from japan late Last Night. Shed been competing in tokyo when coaches forced her to pack her bags and tried to put her on a flight back to belarus. Shes been granted a humanitarian visa, and today, spoke to the bbc� s Bethany Bell about her experience of the last few Days. Tired, but happy to be safe in poland. Krystina timanovskaya arrived in warsaw from japan via vienna Last Night. The belarusian athlete has been given a polish humanitarian visa after fears for her safety. While she was at the Olympic Games in tokyo, the sprinter criticised her coaches on instagram when they entered her into a race without her knowledge. Her coaches threatened her with problems at home unless she left japan immediately. They also come to my room and they say that i have no chance to run 200 metres and i should come back to home and its not their decision, its theirjobs to do it. And when i pick out my clothes and go to the car, my grandmother, she calls me and she says, you cant come back to home because on the tv, they say a lot of bad words about you. Today, the ioc says its still waiting to speak to belarusian team officials. Speaking to the bbc, krystina says she now regrets her emotional tone, but not her action. Now its so dangerous for me. I dont know when i can come back to home. I love my country, so i wanted to come back to home. Belarus is ruled by president alexander lukashenko, the man often described as europes last dictator. The Opposition Politician Pavel latushko says krystina is one of many belarusians to suffer repression. Shes only one example of this level of repression in belarus. More than 40,000 Belarusian People during last year were arrested on political reasons. Krystina says shes not political and hasnt taken part in anti government protests. Its been a tumultuous few Days for krystina. Her life has been turned upside down, and she cant go home. She says she wants to continue her Sporting Career here in poland, but most of all, right now she says she wants to run. Krystinas husband fled to ukraine and is now on his way tojoin her in poland. Her parents are still back at home in belarus. No one knows when theyll be able to meet Again. Bethany bell, bbc news, warsaw. Youve probably heard of Tucker Carlson. Hes a hugely popular anchor on Fox News Whod like to think of himself as second only to Donald Trump as the most influential right Wing Voice in america. This is important context when you consider that this week hes broadcasting his prime time show from hungary, whose leader, Viktor Orban, has been Making Waves withIn Europe by pushing his own brand of populist conservatism. This is how Tucker Carlson opened his show on tuesday. If you care about western Civilisation And Democracy and families and the ferocious assault on all three of those things by the leaders of our global institutions, you should know what is happening here right now. Oddly, perhaps, the Trip Wasnt announced beforehand by Fox News. In fact, the first we heard of it was when prime Minister Orban posted this picture of the two men together and smiling on facebook. That was monday. That night, Tucker Carlsons prime time show aired from budapest. Then on tuesday, the anchor posted this picture of the pair. This isnt as random as it looks. While Viktor Orban� s many critics In Europe condemn him as increasingly authoritarian, Tucker Carlson seems to be enthusiastic about Hungarys Direction of travel. Why should the rest of us care . Well, heres Anthony Zurcher in washington on carlson as something of a force in american media. So, Tucker Carlson has essentially become the keeper of the flame of right wing republican populism after the Trump Presidency. He talks to millions of viewers on Fox News every night, and his name has even been floated as a possible president ial contender for the republican nomination in 2024. I mean, he has been instrumental in repositioning the republican the republican party to be more ofan anti elite, anti academic, a white working class party. And that means opposing things like Unfettered Trade and immigration and leaning very heavily into Culture War issues. Every day on his show, you see stories about traditional White American families and their values are being threatened by woke leftist progressives in the schools, in their workplace and even in their homes. Viktor orban is one of the most controversial leaders In Europe. Hes staunchly anti immigrant, socially illiberal, an Eu Leader whos an ally of russia and also courting china. He often argues for tighter eu borders and has described refugees as muslim invaders. Hes spoken in favour of leading an illiberal democracy and says he wants to make education more patriotic. As he puts it. Last month, his advocacy of a new anti lgbt law, which critics said equated homosexuality to paedophilia, prompted many European Leaders to argue for actions Against hungarys government. Nick thorpe is in budapest. Hows the story being seen from there, nick . 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Heres Anthony Zurcher on the other. After the Trump Presidency, i think there are a lot of big people in the conservative press, at least the conservative press here in the us the way it has been reshaped during the Trump Presidency who were looking for signs of hope, looking for some sort of a blueprint for how their conservative populist policies can be implemented on a national scale. Policies can be implemented and they think theyve found that in Victor Orban. Sort of the same way Donald Trump pointed to Vladimir Putin in 2016 as an effective leader for his country. Orbans criticism of immigration and trade, his defence of so called Traditional Family Values and western civilisation, all of that plays really well in the conservative press here in united states. And i think they see that as a framework for the return of trumpism if not Donald Trump personally to power here in united states in upcoming elections. This story is also playing out in the european press, with a slightly different tone. Theres been Pick Up for example on this moment from Tucker Carlsons show on monday. Youll notice Fox News zooming out of budapest� s Liberty Statue in the left Hand Corner of the screen. The statue commemorates the Soviet Army Freeing Hungary from nazi germanys occupation. Politico reports. Nick thorpe is in budapest. We have this sense of both sides boosting the sense of importance of the other, a bit of a love in here. Has it picked up a lot on social immediate circles they are . It has icked u immediate circles they are . It has picked up on immediate circles they are . It has picked up on social immediate circles they are . It has picked up on Social Media immediate circles they are . It has picked up on Social Media with immediate circles they are . 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Is getting very strong backing in this visit from the us. Is getting very strong backing in this visit from the us. Nick, Thank Ou Ve this visit from the us. Nick, thank you very much this visit from the us. Nick, thank you very much for this visit from the us. Nick, thank you very much for that. This visit from the us. Nick, thank you very much for that. It this visit from the us. Nick, thank you very much for that. It is you very much for that. It is fascinating to see Culture Wars, politics, how these things play out on both sides of the atlantic. There we have the view from budapest and from washington. I am just going to remind you of our Breaking News in the sapphire which came from barcelona, news of the legendary Footballer Lionel Messi is to leave The Club despite both parties having reached an agreement. The contract could not be renewed, so that will create a lot of speculation as to his future. Thank you for being with us here on outside source. Hello there. Theres certainly no summery weather in this forecast. Its looking pretty unsettled for the time of year thanks to one area of low pressure which is going to park itself across the uk for the next few Days, throughout the weekend and indeed even into the start of next week. And its going to bring windier, wetter conditions, some torrential in places and its generally going to feel on the Cool Side for the time of year. So, here it is, this new area of low pressure, which moves across many places for thursday. Lots of isobars on the charts, so the winds have picked up across much of the country as well. And as we head through this evening and overnight, it stays unsettled. Therell be spells of heavy rains, some thundery showers, but also some clearer, quieter interludes as well. Now, temperatures will be no lower than 14 15 degrees, so actually quite a mild night to come across the board. So, our area of low pressure, then, very much with us for friday. This little feature will run in across the south of the country as we start the week, and that could bring some heavier downpours across southern areas. Because it does look like on friday the focus of the showers or longer spells of rain will tend to be across more northern areas, and this is where were likely to see some thundery downpours for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, in towards the midlands, north wales. There will be some showers across the south, but i think a greater chance of seeing prolonged sunny spells, so not too bad a day across the south. But its going to be a breezy day. These are mean wind speeds. Gusts will be higher than that, particularly around some Irish Sea coasts. Now, temperatures, 21, maybe 22 degrees across the South East given some good sunny spells, but generally for most, i think the high teens celsius. And as we head through friday night, we hold onto the breezy conditions, further showers or longer spells of rain mainly across northern and western areas. Again, there will be some lengthy clear spells, particularly through central, southern and eastern areas. And temperatures, 12 14 celsius, so maybe not quite as mild as the previous night. And that little feature i was talking about runs across the south of the country. That can enhance the Shower Activity there on saturday. Generally its low pressure Again both saturday and Sunday Slap bang on top of the country, so its going to be another one of sunshine and showers. So, some of those showers could be quite heavy across the south. In between, there will be some sunshine. Its a similar picture on sunday. Even as we head on into monday, well see sunshine and showers. And these sorts of values a little below par for the time of year. Hello. This is outside source. Fierce fighting continues in afghanistan is the taliban continues to Challenge for major cities. In the south, civilians are told to leave for their safety. In the west, the taliban is said to have been pushed back. The Belarus Printer at the centre of an olympic row with her own government speaks out after arriving safely in poland. Mr; arriving safely in poland. Ifi grandmother arriving safely in poland. M grandmother called me arriving safely in poland. M; grandmother called me and said to me, please dont come back to belarus and that was the reason why i go to the Police. find Belarus and that was the reason why i go to the Police. I go to the Police. And Barcelona Football Club i go to the Police. And Barcelona Football Club says i go to the Police. And Barcelona Football Club says lionel i go to the Police. And Barcelona Football Club says Lionel Messi, l Football Club says Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest footballer on the planet, will leave The Club after failing to reach agreement on after failing to reach agreement on a new contract. Lets return to our top story, the escalating violence in afghanistan. As the crisis deepens hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and the former us commander there General David Petraeus has been sounding the alarm about the numbers of afghan refugees flowing into surrounding states. Injuly the un warned that 270,000 people had been internally displaced since january bringing the total internally displaced to more than 3. 5 million. Of those who flee the country, 90 go to iran and pakistan. There are Two Million registered afghan refugees in those countries. The pakistan national Security Advisor says the country is currently hosting 3. 5 million afghan refugees many of which are unregistered and is in no position to accept any more. Heres the former Pakistan Ambassador to the us on the potential influx of refugees. It is a very real risk and right now pakistan has three risks to content with. The first is, of course, the Spill Over of the refugees. The second is getting blamed by the international community on the grounds of its. Call it support, call It Acquiescence to the taliban in the past. And the third fear that pakistan should have is that extremists within pakistan will take heart from a taliban victory and will try and make pakistan more of an islamist state, so pakistan also has a lot of stake in this and pakistans leaders need to be aware of that reality. Lets take a closer look at that second claim mr haqqini made there. Over the past month there has been a lot of international discussion over the role of pakistan in the conflict in afghanistan. Afghanistans government has long accused pakistan of Harbouring-taliban'>Harbouring Taliban militants who direct attacks in afghanistan. Injuly, its president Ashraf Ghani told a Security Conference there had been an influx they said there was a deliberate effort to scapegoat pakistan. Im joined now by the former canadian ambassador to afghanistan and former deputy un Special Envoy to afghanistan, chris alexander. Thanks for being with us. Your take, please, on the role you believe pakistan is playing. Please, on the role you believe pakistan is playing. Well, i think its the missing pakistan is playing. Well, i think its the missing Piece Pakistan is playing. Well, i think its the missing piece of pakistan is playing. Well, i think its the missing piece of the pakistan is playing. Well, i think i its the missing piece of the puzzle when we look at why peace has not come to afghanistan. There has been a Peace Process under way for two years, direct talks by the taliban by the us and the afghan government and over the longer term, contact with the tell a man for ten years. Why is there no permanent ceasefire . In my view, the taliban are still proxies and still an Armed Forces sent by pakistan as part of its obsession with india, to turn afghanistan back into a virtual province under their authority which it was for five years up until 9 11. This is not a policy that pakistanipakistanis properly embrace or know about but it is based on our strategic depth that there pakistani military embraced after they lost East Pakistan in 1971 and have never really given up, so pakistan is in fact. Has been at war with afghanistan for 43 years, ever since the general came into power and today, if we do not do something about that, the taliban will be back in the whole region will be destabilised a new after 20 years of international investment in afghanistan and that would be a tragedy and above all a tragedy for the afghans. You tragedy and above all a tragedy for the Afghans Tragedy and above all a tragedy for the afr hans. ,. ,. ,. The afghans. You are portraying the taliban almost the afghans. You are portraying the taliban almost as the afghans. You are portraying the taliban almost as puppets the afghans. You are portraying the taliban almost as puppets of taliban almost as puppets of pakistan and i should say pakistan cosmic Foreign Ministry has described this a maliciously campaign. They have hit back directly at what you have had to say. And they make the point is that there has to be an inclusive political settlement. The taliban has to have a voice, has to have a powerful voice at the table, doesnt it . ,. ,. ,. ,. , powerful voice at the table, doesnt it . ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , it . They do and they have had that voice for two it . They do and they have had that voice for two years it . They do and they have had that voice for two years around it . They do and they have had that voice for two years around the it . They do and they have had that| voice for two years around the table into heart. Virtually every Concession Imaginable has been made, 5000 of their members were released, us troops are leaving afghanistan and now they are escalating the fight, so they have shown a complete lack of good faith. Quite frankly, the ripostes of pakistani officials and ministers are absolute nonsense because pakistani generals, isi heads, the people actually calling the shots have been telling me and others for years now that they are in control of the taliban, that they are doing what they want and the international community, if it wants to save afghanistan from a very dark fate, has to stand up to them and call out this duplicity very, very firmly. Iiii call out this duplicity very, very firml. ,. ,. , firmly. If this is the case, what miaht firmly. If this is the case, what might persuade firmly. If this is the case, what might persuade imran firmly. If this is the case, what might persuade Imran Khan i firmly. If this is the case, what l might persuade imran Khan And Islamabad to change strategy . Weill. Islamabad to change strategy . Well, the are Islamabad To Change Strategy . Well, they are not Islamabad To Change Strategy . Well, they are not in Islamabad To Change Strategy . Well, they are not in control, Islamabad To Change Strategy . Well, they are not in control, to Islamabad To Change Strategy . Well, they are not in control, to be they are not in control, to be honest. Imran khan was brought into the prime Ministers Office because he is a booster of the taliban, because he was willing to buy into the general� s agenda, but it is really military headquarters, general headquarters that needs to get the message and my view is that they will not get the message unless they will not get the message unless the international community speaks with one voice and implements the kind of Sanctions Regime Against them that we have done Against Vladimir Putin and his entourage for invading the ukraine. Arguably, the proxy War Pakistan has been waiting in afghanistan has been on a much larger scale, in afghanistan has been on a much largerscale, much in afghanistan has been on a much larger scale, much more costly for our countries, but above all for afghans over many more years and Vladimir Putins escapades in ukraine. So we need to be consistent here and a threat to international Peace And Security requires International Action led by the security council. International Action Led by the security council. Chris alexander, thank Ou Security council. Chris alexander, thank you for security council. Chris alexander, thank you forjoining security council. Chris alexander, thank you forjoining us. Security council. Chris alexander, thank you forjoining us. Thank i security council. Chris alexander, l thank you forjoining us. Thank you. Lets get more on our Breaking News from The World of football. The argentine striker Lionel Messi is to leave barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement, apparently, overa having reached an agreement, apparently, over a new contract according to The Club. They cite the economic and structural obstacles to renewing the deal. I am not quite sure what that means, but richard foster, a sports journalist, joins me now and will enlighten us on the obstacles to actually make the deal stick. ~ ~. ,. ,. , stick. Well, i think barcelona are havin a stick. Well, i think barcelona are having a bit stick. Well, i think barcelona are having a bit of stick. Well, i think barcelona are having a bit of brinkmanship stick. Well, i think barcelona are| having a bit of brinkmanship here because what they are complaining about are the rules on wages, so obviously messi is on massive wages, although his new contract was agreed although his new contract was agreed a couple of weeks ago and actually reduced his wages but they are still significant. So i think what barcelona are saying is that if you want to keep Lionel Messi in la liga, you need to allow us to release the wages, so i am not absolutely convinced that this is messi leaning barfor loaner. It may well be brinkmanship and there are not many clubs who could afford the wages. He is available on a free transfer because his contract is basically going to be reneged, but who will be able to afford him . There are really only two clubs currently and that would be Psg Or Manchester city. Manchester city are just about to secure the signing of Jack Relation and i am not sure if they would add Lionel Messi, although, of course, there is a connection with pep guardiola. I still think that this has gone a little way to run and i just feel that barcelona are playing a strong hand here and may not actually expect messi the insight you are giving us which is do not necessarily take this at face value, we might be witnessing part of a negotiation. It is a bit of a tough argument to make in pr terms, isnt it, though . The caps on wages and got to go because footballers deserve even more . Yes. Footballers deserve even more . Yes, no, i can footballers deserve even more . Yes, no. I can see footballers deserve even more . Yes, no. I can see how footballers deserve even more . Yes, no, i can see how morally footballers deserve even more . Ia no, i can see how morally that is pretty difficult to support, but it is this conflict between The Clubs and the leagues. The person i feel slightly sorry for with if this actually goes ahead is Sergio Aguero who left Manchester City to join his compatriot at barcelona and if he leaves, Sergio Aguero is going to be a little bit upset because this was his big chance to play with his hero. ~. ,. , ~ his big chance to play with his hero. ~. ,. , i. , hero. Well, richard, thank you for oininr us hero. Well, richard, thank you for joining us in hero. Well, richard, thank you for joining us in throwing hero. Well, richard, thank you for joining us in throwing some hero. Well, richard, thank you for joining us in throwing some light l hero. Well, richard, thank you for. Joining us in throwing some light on our breaking News Story here tonight. Thank you very much. Now, lets turn to the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the continent of africa. It has avoided the huge Death Tolls across europe, asia and the americas, but Case Numbers are now spiralling as the Delta Variant becomes the dominant strain there. A Record High of 6,400 deaths was recorded across the continent in the last week ofjuly more than half those deaths came in just two countries, South Africa and tunisia. And its expected to get worse with Cases continuing to rise across the continent. 22 countries have seen a rise in Cases of at least 20 for two weeks straight. Heres Doctor Phiona Atuhebwe from the african branch of the World Health organization. The latest data tells us that africa is still on the crest of a Third Wave and still recording more Cases than in any earlier peak. We cannot take anything for granted and we must stay fully committed to prevention measures. What about vaccines . Well, its been a very slow start. Just 24 Million people, thats17 just 24 Million people, thats1. 7 of the population of africa has been fully vaccinated. But vaccine shipments are starting to ramp up. Thursday saw the start of the african Unions Distribution of 400 Million vaccines to member states. Several countries started receiving their first monthly shipments of the single Dosejohnson And Johnson vaccine with the hope that by The End of the year they will be able to deliver 25 Million doses a month. And thats in addition to the who led Covax Scheme which delivered 12 Million doses to africa injuly alone. But theres still concerns from experts that the roll out is too slow. Heres Doctor Atuhebwe from the who Again. We need to be clear, though. In a continent of over 1. 3 billion people, this is just a tiny drop in a very large ocean and in the face of a surging Third Wave and more contagious variants, Vaccine Shortages leave africa dangerously exposed. We have a very long way to go. With less than 2 of africans fully vaccinated, we cannot get vaccines fast enough into the arms of the people. However, the efforts to scale up shipments are paying off. Well, Theres Concern that africas Vaccine Roll out progress might be slowed Again, with other countries preparing to administer Booster Shots to their most vulnerable citizens from the more contgious Delta Variant. Israel and hungary already started Offering Booster vaccines earlier this week. While the major European Powers of the uk, germany and france have plans to start administerng booster jabs in september. Thats despite pleas from the who earlier this week for a moratorium on third doses until at least The End of september, giving countries in africa, oceania and parts of asia more time to receive Vaccine Doses, before the demand on boosterjabs puts a squeeze on the supply chain. Heres the who Director General speaking on wednesday. So far, more than Four Billion Vaccine Doses have been administered globally. More than 80 have gone too high and upper middle income countries, even though they account for less then half of The Worlds population. I understand the concerns of all government to protect their people from the Delta Variant, but we cannot and we should not accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it while The Worlds most vulnerable people remain unprotected. Joining me now from brazzaville, capital of the republic of the congo is dr fiona braka, the World Health Organisations Emergency Operations Team Leader in africa. Thank you very much for being with us. I want to ask you first, what is the hardest part of this crisis to manage from what you are seeing on the ground . The ground . Africa is experiencing a Third Wave that the ground . Africa is experiencing a Third Wave that is the ground . Africa is experiencing a Third Wave that is much the ground . Africa is experiencing a Third Wave that is much faster the ground . Africa is experiencing a Third Wave that is much faster in Third Wave that is much faster in terms of Speed And Scope compared to previous waves, so we have seen a large increase in the number of countries, 22 countries in resurgence, and that does pose a threat to the Health System to be able to cope with managing large numbers of Cases. Sadly, we have lost 172,000 lives on the continent and we are seeing increasing numbers of deaths in a number of countries with the increased spread of the variance, notably the Delta Variant. So in view of this escalation of deaths, we are working with the countries to try and support mechanisms to manage severely ill and critical patients in order to avoid more mortalities and, sadly, issues like availability of ic you beds, availability of adequate oxygen in some countries, availability of Oxygen Cylinders and the capacity to manage critically ill patients is a Challenge. [10 the capacity to manage critically ill patients is a Challenge. Do you think that once ill patients is a Challenge. Do you think that once there ill patients is a Challenge. Do you think that once there are ill patients is a Challenge. Do you think that once there are more i think that once there are more vaccines available, people will queue up to get them or will they have to be encouraged . The queue up to get them or will they have to be encouraged . The amount of vaccine currently have to be encouraged . The amount of vaccine currently available have to be encouraged . The amount of vaccine currently available is vaccine currently available is grossly inadequate, so we are way behind meeting the target of 10 of all african countries vaccinated by The End of september and demand is there. We have countries in the region that have exhausted the amount of vaccine that has been allocated to them, so we need to increase the supply of vaccine but also to note that vaccines alone will not control the pandemic. We have to promote a comprehensive approach with the public health measures of social distancing, washing hands, wearing of masks. This, in a comprehensive manager, will help us to address the rising numbers of Cases. Will help us to address the rising numbers of Cases. Doctor, how do you feel, liven numbers of Cases. Doctor, how do you feel. Given the numbers of Cases. Doctor, how do you feel, given the situation numbers of Cases. Doctor, how do you feel, given the situation you numbers of Cases. Doctor, how do you feel, given the situation you are feel, given the situation you are dealing with, when you hear talk about giving a third boosterjab in countries like the uk or israel . The variation countries like the uk or israel . Tue variation between doses administered in wealthy countries and low income countries is widening. We have a rate of 100 doses per 100 people in the wealthy countries, high income countries, compared to 1. 8 per 100 people in africa. That is a wide variation. And we also have a large number of vulnerable populations those at highest risk, who have not even received one dose, so the who is promoting that we need to ensure there is equity, try to reach the most vulnerable first, before we start to think about a third dose in some other countries. Remember that where there is covid in one part of The World, the whole world will be at risk. ,. , The World, the whole world will be at risk. ,. , ~ The World, the whole world will be at risk. ,. , i. , The World, the whole world will be at risk. ,. ,. , at risk. Doctor, thank you for your time and expertise. At risk. Doctor, thank you for your time and expertise. Thank at risk. Doctor, thank you for your time and expertise. Thank you. I thousands are evacuated from the outskirts of the greek capital, athens, as wildfires draw near. Now, to a scientific breakthrough. Parkinsons disease effects around Ten Million people around The World with many of those suffering from the disease experiencing Involuntary Shaking and slowed movement in parts of their body, which can be difficult to live with and debilitating. But now australian researchers say they have developed a new type of gel that could transform the treatment of Parkinsons Disease subject to human trials. Its made from natural Amino Acids and has been shown to safely deliver replacement cells into damaged parts of the brain. In tests on animals, some parkinsons symptoms relating to movement have been successfully reversed. The research also offer hope for people that have suffered strokes. Heres our correspondent Phil Mercer who is in sydney with more on this latest scientific breakthrough. This hydrogel is essentially a vehicle that delivers safely Stem Cells into the brain. Australian researchers say that this process has the capacity to repair tissues that have been damaged and also to replace lost neurons and these are things that affect people with Parkinsons Disease. Now, some of its symptoms around movement have been successfully reversed in experiments on animals. Now, the gel is injected as a liquid. When it is inside the brain, it reverts to a jelly like substance and scientists say that it can be administered to target specifically parts of the brain that have been impaired by parkinsons or a stroke and those Stem Cells are then instructed to create replacement neurons. They are Nerve Cells that carry electrical impulses around the body. Clearly, there is much work to be done. Human trials have yet to take place, but australian researchers in the capital, canberra, tell the bbc that they believe this study has real promise. This is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. Our lead story, Government Troops are battling the taliban for control of major cities in afghanistan. Lets turn to greece now and the premise to their say authorities are doing whatever is humanly possible to tackle wildfires approaching the capital, athens. Days of scorching temperatures combined with strengthening winds have led the authorities to issue an extreme fire warning. This is the picture near Athens A little earlier in the day. It is in east at a cow which is just to the north of the greek capital, really not far from the city limits. Residents of Athens Are concerned about the coming Days. The residents of Athens Are concerned about the coming Days. About the coming Days. The only wor is about the coming Days. The only worry is that about the coming Days. The only worry is that so about the coming Days. The only worry is that so far about the coming Days. The only worry is that so far despite about the coming Days. The only worry is that so far despite this i worry is that so far despite this whole ordeal, the winds have been extremely low. The problem is that the weather reports indicated that as of late tonight, we are going to have stronger winds which are going to be building up throughout the weekend and that is, of course, of Tremendous Concern if the fires persist. B. Tremendous concern if the fires ersist. ,. ,. , persist. A ournalist spoke to the bbc after persist. Ajournalist spoke to the bbc after returning persist. Ajournalist spoke to the bbc after returning from persist. Ajournalist spoke to the bbc after returning from the bbc after returning from the outskirts. P55 bbc after returning from the outskirts. � , bbc after returning from the Outskirts Bbc after returning from the outskirts. ,. ,. Outskirts. As i was there, Police were going outskirts. As i was there, Police were going literally outskirts. As i was there, Police i were going literally doortodoor, were going literally Door To door, trying were going literally Door To door, trying to were going literally Door To door, trying to evacuate people. We are already trying to evacuate people. We are already seeing three districts in this area already seeing three districts in this area being evacuated which is about this area being evacuated which is about 2000 people. An additional community was being evacuated as i was leaving, more densely populated. People was leaving, more densely populated. People are was leaving, more densely populated. People are really panicking right now people are really panicking right now it people are really panicking right now it is people are really panicking right now. It is a situation where you see you are now. It is a situation where you see you are in now. It is a situation where you see you are in the now. It is a situation where you see you are in the capital of a major western you are in the capital of a major western metropolis, kind of saying this cannot western metropolis, kind of saying this cannot be happening here, and yet it this cannot be happening here, and yet it is this cannot be happening here, and et it is. ,. , , yet it is. Smoke from the fires is already making yet it is. Smoke from the fires is already making the yet it is. Smoke from the fires is already making the in yet it is. Smoke from the fires is already making the in athens i yet it is. Smoke from the fires is already making the in athens to | already making the in athens to breed, but even without the fires, the fires, the heat alone is making it hard for them to cope. Making the air difficult to breathe. It hard for them to cope. Making the air difficult to breathe. The air difficult to breathe. Today, the air difficult to breathe. Today, the highest the air difficult to breathe. Today, the highest temperature the air difficult to breathe. Today, the highest temperature was the air difficult to breathe. Today, the highest temperature was 41 i the highest temperature was 41 celsius and i think the highest we have got here in athens was two Days ago when it was 43 degrees. That is unprecedented. We have never had temperatures like that. Athens feels pretty empty right now. The necropolis is closed in the middle of the day from 12 noon until five in the afternoon. It is just too hot for anybody to be out there. We are really worried about the health of the people, both residents and the people the city. It looks like the city, it feels like the city is abandoned because people are indoors, even the ones who are here are hiding. Indoors, even the ones who are here are hidina. ,. ,. , are hiding. These are live Shots Showin are hiding. These are live Shots Showing what are hiding. These are live Shots Showing what people are hiding. These are live Shots Showing what people in are hiding. These are live Shots Showing what people in the are hiding. These are live Shots Showing what people in the city are hiding. These are live shots i showing what people in the city of Athens Are seeing. This is the view just north of the city right now. You can see the flames there and imagine both the heat and the Smoke Thatis imagine both the heat and the smoke that is coming from that blazing wildfire. Meanwhile in turkey, wildfires are continuing for the ninth day. The focus over the last 48 hour is has been on a thermal Power Plant. These pictures show the fire approaching it which has caused considerable concern because of the cold stored there. It has been happening in the southern part of turkeys around some of its most popular holiday spots. The Power Plant is just 15 kilometres from the beach at rn. The authorities chose to evacuate Holiday Makers from their by boat as the fire approached. One couple from the netherlands spoke after reaching safety. Netherlands spoke after reaching safe. ~ , netherlands spoke after reaching safe ,. , netherlands spoke after reaching safe ,. Safety. Absolutely no problem. We are on the boats safety. Absolutely no problem. We are on the boats in safety. Absolutely no problem. We are on the boats in the safety. Absolutely no problem. We are on the boats in the Harbour safety. Absolutely no problem. We| are on the boats in the Harbour and we were sleeping outside. The only thing was the ash rain. We notice that only this morning, but we already decided to go this morning, to leave the Harbour. The already decided to go this morning, to leave the Harbour. To leave the Harbour. The fire did reach the power to leave the Harbour. The fire did reach the Power Plant to leave the Harbour. The fire did reach the Power Plant complex, l to leave the Harbour. The fire did i reach the Power Plant complex, but fortunately, the workers had been evacuated and flammable materials had been removed, but as you can see from our pictures, the fire has been brought under control with no serious damage done to that key plant. Lets get more on turkey� s efforts to deal with the fires from the bbc turkish service at a rescue centre. Irate the bbc turkish service at a rescue centre. ~. ,. , centre. We are here in the Crisis And Disaster centre. We are here in the Crisis And Disaster coordination centre. We are here in the crisis| and disaster coordination centre. Centre. We are here in the crisis i and disaster coordination centre. It is very busy here and we just interviewed the mayor and he said although the Crisis Centre is moving to its maximum, everyone is doing what they can, the firefighters are doing their best, but all they need is planes because turkey does not have its own planes. To put out the fire from above, new fires keep happening. The one that started nine Days ago is still continuing, so the mayor called for planes once Again. In the Crisis Centre here, the people are taking calls from the citizens that need help regarding supplies, food, but they are also helping the firefighters who are on the ground because they came from many other cities, they did not know they were going to be here for nine Days. They lack clothes, they cannot go home to shower, so citizens of this city are taking the firefighters into their homes and ensuring that all of these necessities are managed. Aha, reminder of Breaking News from spain where in the last hour, Barcelona Football Club have said their star footballer, Lionel Messi, is to leave. In a statement, The Club says despite having reached an agreement, it has proved impossible to come up with a deal which sits what the player and The Club. We will keep you up to date on that breaking story here on outside source. Theres certainly no summery weather in this forecast. Its looking pretty unsettled for the time of year thanks to one area of low pressure which is going to park itself across the uk for the next few Days, throughout the weekend and indeed even into the start of next week. And its going to bring windier, wetter conditions, some torrential in places and its generally going to feel on the Cool Side for the time of year. So, here it is, this new area of low pressure, which moves across many places for thursday. Lots of isobars on the charts, so the winds have picked up across much of the country as well. And as we head through this evening and overnight, it stays unsettled. Therell be spells of heavy rains, some thundery showers, but also some clearer, quieter interludes as well. Now, temperatures will be no lower than 14 15 degrees, so actually quite a mild night to come across the board. So, our area of low pressure, then, very much with us for friday. This little feature will run in across the south of the country as we start the week, and that could bring some heavier downpours across southern areas. Because it does look like on friday the focus of the showers or longer spells of rain will tend to be across more northern areas, and this is where were likely to see some thundery downpours for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, in towards the midlands, north wales. There will be some showers across the south, but i think a greater chance of seeing prolonged sunny spells, so not too bad a day across the south. But its going to be a breezy day. These are mean wind speeds. Gusts will be higher than that, particularly around some Irish Sea coasts. Now, temperatures, 21, maybe 22 degrees across the South East given some good sunny spells, but generally for most, i think the high teens celsius. And as we head through friday night, we hold onto the breezy conditions, further showers or longer spells of rain mainly across northern and western areas. Again, there will be some lengthy clear spells, particularly through central, southern and eastern areas. And temperatures, 12 14 celsius, so maybe not quite as mild as the previous night. And that little feature i was talking about runs across the south of the country. That can enhance the Shower Activity there on saturday. Generally its low pressure Again both saturday and Sunday Slap bang on top of the country, so its going to be another one of sunshine and showers. So, some of those showers could be quite heavy across the south. In between, there will be some sunshine. Its a similar picture on sunday. Even as we head on into monday, well see sunshine and showers. And these sorts of values a little below par for the time of year. Hello, im philippa thomas. This is outside source. 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