After making her name as a pop star, Lily Allen is becoming someone else entirely as she makes her Acting Debut in a West End play. Welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. In afghanistan, in a major escalation of the talibans offensive, the militants have captured a Provincial Capital, zaranj, close to the border with iran, and assassinated a close aide of the president s. Theyve made sweeping gains since foreign forces started withdrawing from the country. The united nations� Special Envoy has warned the country is facing a possible catastrophe, and called on the taliban to halt the violence and take part in meaningful peace talks. Our world Affairs Correspondent Richard Galpin has more. In the heart of the afghan capital, another assassination taliban Gunmen Opening Fire on this car, killing the head of the governments media information centre, dawa khan menapal. Theyd warned officials would be targeted in response to Air Strikes by afghan and us forces. The war now increasingly spilling into the capital. But the taliban are also now targeting other key cities in this, their latest offensive. They claim to have captured the city of zaranj in the South West of the country. Officials say, if true, it would be the first Provincial Capital to fall into their hands in this, the latest upsurge in fighting. And the taliban claim more will follow. At the united nations in new york, there are now calls for action. The council must act and prevent a catastrophic situation. We are alarmed by reports of incidences of gross Human Rights Violations by the taliban and their foreign terrorist associates in almost Half of our country, and we are extremely concerned about the Safety And Security of people in cities under taliban attacks and what brutality would await them. The question now, though, is what action can be taken, given the taliban advances have been precipitated by the withdrawal of foreign troops from afghanistan. The futures of millions of afghans are at stake. I think the region should very clearly tell the taliban that the taliban coming to power through force and continuing the violence is unacceptable. They need to see that their government will not be accepted and recognised. But for now, at least, it seems unlikely the taliban will stop their offensive. They seem determined to seize as much ground as they can. Richard galpin, bbc news. Mariam wardak is the founder of her afghanistan, an organisation dedicated to the advancement of young afghan women. I spoke to her about how the taliban have attempted to change their image on the issue of womens rights. Everything in regards to the taliban narrative should be taken with caution. I think that this change of narrative had to do with the influence of tribal elders in provinces asking and demanding for certain continuations. For instance, there are certain provinces that the elders wanted their young daughters to continue their education, so they pressed on that towards the taliban. But then there is also a disconnect. You have a disconnect between the taliban Political Party thats in doha, and then theres a disconnect between their commanders, Military Commanders. For instance, in wardak there was a case that there was a constant change in the Taliban Commander. One Taliban Commander would be ok with young girls attending school, but the next one would not. So its a very personalised approach, and the most important aspect of it is how the tribal community is approaching this. We have seen civilians standing up against the taliban. Thats included women in some situations. What role can women play in fighting back . I think the most important role is to inform our young girls, especially on the religion aspect. The narrative that the taliban have continued to use to fight foreign, in their terms, invaders, is religion. Now that the foreign troops have left afghanistan, that narrative cannot be held any more, and the fact that they have allowed the girls to continue or share their opinions on allowing girls to continue their education i think the young girls need to be advanced on religious arguments, holding theological arguments on how to advance. Religion is the key of opportunities foryoung girls, and the religion of islam provides many opportunities. The confusion in afghanistan is religion versus culture. If you advance within culture then theres religion if you advance within religion then the Culture Works against you, and i think women face many problems in that aspect. One thing that i do see across the board now is the resistance for the taliban because of the fear that they are spreading. And its quite strange because if you see insurgent groups in other Countries Indonesia and other places, and historically they have worked with civilians to gain their trust and to gain their compassion one way or another. But the taliban are wishing the Military Commanders are wishing to spread fear. I think that is going to work to their disadvantage because the population of the 1990s, when the taliban first emerged, is not the same population. The young people are educated, have economic autonomy, have seen freedom to a certain extent in the past 20 years. And i think that there needs to be a proper form of negotiation, and that negotiation is mainly led with the political leaders. But there seems to be a disconnect, in my perspective, between the taliban Military Leaders and their political leaders. Lets get some of the days other news. Police have arrested two burmese citizens accused of plotting to kill, or injure, myanmar� s ambassador to the united nations. Kyaw Moe Tun has been a vocal critic of myanmar� s military rulers. He earlier thanked the us Government And Un for their protection. The us military� s Central Command has announced the results of an investigation into last weeks fatal Drone Attack on a Merchant Tanker off oman. Its experts have concluded that the drone was made in iran. A british Security Guard and the ships romanian captain were killed. Tehran had already denied orchestrating the attack. Nicaraguas electoral authorities have disqualified the countrys main Opposition Party ahead of novembers elections. Oscar sobalvarro, an Ex Commander in the us backed contra group, nicaraguan resistance, holds dual us and nicaraguan citizenship, in violation of the law. The disqualification is the latest in a series of recent steps against the opposition as Polling Day nears. Lawyers for the governor of new york, andrew cuomo, have called into question the results of an independent investigation that found Mr Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women while in office. The governor has denied the allegations. Earlier, one of Mr Cuomos accusers, a former aide, filed a criminal complaint against him. And a russian court has given a suspended Prison Sentence of 5. 5 years to an american investor, michael calvey, a day after he was found guilty of embezzlement. He denies any wrongdoing and called the sentence deeply unfair. Here in europe, a severe heatwave has caused a series of wildfires in greece, with strong winds fanning the flames. Thousands of people have been moved from their homes in the Suburbs North of athens. An extreme Fire Warning has been issued, with the greek Prime Minister saying the countrys in the midst of an unprecedented environmental crisis. This report from bethany bell. Around athens, the hillsides are burning. People are desperately trying to put out the flames using whatever they can find. Helicopters are bringing water to drop on the fires, but the scorching winds dont help. Its so dry here you can actually hear the parched branches crackle as they burn. Emergency crews are struggling to stop the wildfires from spreading. This woman is trying to save her home. Her husband is a firefighter, but she has no idea where he is. Translation im not leaving here, at least for as long as i can. My house is behind here. You can see the roof. Im not leaving, whatever happens. The effects of the fires are devastating. Villages have been burnt out and dead animals litter the roads. And it is continuing. Tonight, we watched as another blaze raged in the outskirts of athens. All day long a fire has been burning on the other side of this mountain, and now it is coming over the hill. People have been told to leave this area as soon as possible, and Weve Seen People pack up their cars and go. The air is full of smoke and ash. People here are desperately worried about what is going to happen to their homes. This mans house is up on that hillside. He managed to bring his family to safety. As the Flames Head towards his house, all he can do is watch. I cannot sleep. I have my mind there. I dont think that someone can sleep if he knows that maybe his only house will be destroyed. It was too dangerous to stay here. The police arrived to move people away. Its going to be a long night, people hoping against hope that their homes will be spared. Bethany bell, bbc news, athens. In the us, families of the victims of the September 11 attacks in america are among those calling on president biden not to attend this years memorial events unless he declassifies files that they contend will show saudi leaders supported the atrocity. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the attacks in new york, virginia and pennsylvania, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Our north america correspondent, barbara plett usher, explained exactly what the group are asking of the president. Theres around 1,700 people who have signed this letter and they have long been asking for access to classified government documents on whether the Saudi Arabian Government was implicated in the Alqaeda Plot so whether saudi officials assisted or aided or funded these hijackers in any way. The saudi government has always said it was not involved and previous us administrations have refused to declassify the documents, saying that its a national security issue. Now, this letter is saying, look, its 20 years since this happened. Theres just no reason why this information has to be kept secret. And furthermore, Joe Biden made a Campaign Pledge to try to resolve this issue, and if he doesnt do so then the people who signed this Letter Say � we will feel obliged to publicly stand against him participating in any of the memorial services come september. So theyre basically drawing a line in the sand, and the White House has responded. The white House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said that Mr Biden was still committed to that pledge. She also said that White House officials had met Family Members a number of times. But the issue is not its not clear how this is going to play out. Its 20 years since the attacks. Is there a sense as to whether most americans feel sympathetic to those behind this letter, and that they have a legitimate argument that these papers should be released 7 well, im not sure what polling there has been done about that. I dont think its a widely discussed issue in terms of how these Family Members and people who have been affected by the attack have pursued the saudi government over these past years, but they have been very dedicated. Now, the us Government Commission that investigated the 9 11 attacks found no evidence that the saudi government had directly funded alqaeda, but it left open the matter of whether individual officials might have done so. So these families have long maintained that the saudi government was aware of the attack in advance and did nothing to stop it, and specifically they want to prove that some saudi nationals helped two of the hijackers in the months leading up to the attack and that a diplomat in the saudi embassy in washington co ordinated that. So thats their argument. And then separately, theyre also suing the saudi government, the families of around 2,500 victims. But then around 20,000 others who were either injured or otherwise affected by 9 11 are suing the saudi government for billions. That lawsuit is ongoing. Barber usher speaking to us earlier. Barbara plett usher. Stay with us on bbc world news, still to come more on the action at the tokyo olympics. 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 vigor, 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 shes 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 taliban have seized a Provincial Capital in southern afghanistan, as the uns envoy demands the militants end their offensive. Nearly Half the regions in greece are on high alert, as the worst wildfires in decades, rage across the country. Now lets get an update from the olympics. Day 15 of the games is well underway in tokyo. Heres how the Medal Table stands at the moment, china is still on top with 37 Gold Medals with usa in second place and the Host Nation Japan in third. For more on this, we can now cross live to Tokyo And Sarah mulkerrins. Good to see you have lost the umbrella. The Mens Basketball is under way. I umbrella. The Mens Basketball is under way is under way. I lost the umbrella is under way. I lost the umbrella but is under way. I lost the umbrella but the is under way. I lost the umbrella but the Rain L is under way. I lost the I Umbrella but the rain has started to fall. Usa, they are looking to add another Gold Medal to their Medal Table hall we were looking at there because there they are in action in the basketball final, Up Action in the basketball final, up against france who is just approaching Half time, they are leading at the moment, but there has been so much focus on this Dream Team that we call the us basketball is because they have so many of the big stars from the nba playing for them, they were first able to do that back in barcelona in 92, and they have been dominant ever since, 92, and they have been dominant eversince, going 92, and they have been dominant ever since, going for their fourth consecutive Gold Medal in this, the likes of Kevin Duran from the brooklyn nets, he has been performing really well so far in this final, scoring well for them against france, and there has been so much pressure on them because actually, they were out of form coming into the olympics, losing their two warmup games against australia and nigeria and their first match at the olympics was against france and they lost about so there has been a huge amount of pressure and speculation, and wonder about why this was happening to such a dominant force, however at the moment they are leading at the moment they are leading at Half time, in that match, but in basketball so much can change, so we will have to wait to see what france can potentially do in the second Half. ~. H potentially do in the second Half. ~. � , Half. Whats happening in the gulf at the Half. Whats happening in the gulf at the moment . Half. Whats happening in the gulf at the moment . A gulf at the moment . Phenomenal competition ongoing in the back nine in the womens off at the moment, we have The American nellie porter, she was the overnight leader, three clear, however hurley has just been cut to one she did double bogey the seventh, looks like she was On The Rocks there but she was On The Rocks there but she has pulled it back, so she is currently on 17 under and just behind we have had a charge from one of the local players from japan, she has birdied four holes in a row on her back nine, six underfor the day, so she is just one shot back and level in that Silver Medal Position with Lydia Cole from new zealand, a prodigious talent, she has fallen out of form a little bit but she is looking close to her best this year, so two of them look like they are battling it out potentially for that silver, maybe they also have one eye on gold, they are playing the final few goals so we should have a winner within the next hour, and a youngster from india, unheralded in the game, she has performed really well over the last four days, currently out of metal positions but could push yourself back up there at 15 under. , ~ , yourself back up there at 15 under. , ~ , ,. , under. One of the key Sporting Events of under. One of the key Sporting Events of the under. One of the key Sporting Events of the day under. One of the key Sporting Events of the day was under. One of the key Sporting Events of the day was the events of the day was the Womens Marathon and a significant moment for kenya . Absolutely, it was gold and silver for the absolutely, it was gold and silverfor the kenyan Marathon Silver for the kenyan marathon runners, silverfor the kenyan marathon runners, taking place in northern japan, it had been moved there in order to try to counteract the heat that you experience in tokyo at this time of year, and unfortunately the temperatures were quite similar, very hot for the runners, they started an hour earlier at 6am but we had a winner to clean years ago so was able to get gold again for kenya, and the world record holder, she finished second, many people were tipping her to win gold here and then a great Bronze Medalfor here and then a great Bronze Medal for molly here and then a great Bronze Medalfor molly segal, medal for molly segal, qualifying to represent the usa in her first ever marathon about one year and a Half ago and has come away with a bronze olympic medal here, so not bad for someone who is newer to the longer distance running. In for someone who is newer to the longer distance running. Longer distance running. In the ool we longer distance running. In the pool we have longer distance running. In the pool we have seen longer distance running. In the pool we have seen the pool we have seen the qualifiers for the mens ten Metre Platform diving, talk us through that. We Metre Platform diving, talk us through that. Through that. We absolutely have, through that. We absolutely have. The through that. We absolutely have, the diving through that. We absolutely have, the diving coming through that. We absolutely have, the diving coming to l through that. We absolutely| have, the diving coming to a close, the ten Metre Platform, it is so dramatic to watch, i know we have been talking about skateboarding and the likes but this is an ever present in the olympics, always so dramatic and a lot of people will be looking out for tom daley, he won gold in the synchronised, he is going on qualifying here, we have the qualifying yesterday, the semifinals this morning, he has qualified in fourth, he said it was not quite perfect and there will have to find out in a couple of hours of time, so he has already won gold, there is a chance to add another Gold Medal to his name at these olympics, many people speculating this may well be the last olympics that we see Him Diving. The last olympics that we see Him Diving Him Diving. Just finally, when the olympic Him Diving. Just finally, when the olympic started Him Diving. Just finally, when the olympic started there Him Diving. Just finally, when | the olympic started there was concern on the streets of japan, should these games be going ahead . That was divided opinion, and now the games are nearing their and, what is the consensus among people you have spoken to . Its consensus among people you have spoken to . Spoken to . Its really kind of moved and spoken to . Its really kind of moved and shifted spoken to . Its really kind of moved and shifted and spoken to . Its really kind of. Moved and shifted and changed and evolved over the last three weeks. At the start in the buildup there was an awful lot of negativity around the games being held here, we knew the surveys coming in and said that the japanese population were overwhelmingly not in favour of the games taking place, and in the games taking place, and in the first week we had the Metal Rush Weather hosts won so much and it was muchjoy Rush Weather hosts won so much and it was much joy around the sport, Coronavirus Headlines almost faded away, however, in the last week with the cases rising here in tokyo and around japan and having to extend the State Of Emergency is beyond tokyo itself, it certainly raise those concerns again, and for the locals here, they are still going about their daily lives, and you can see them in the streets and watching the events from the outside and not quite getting into enjoy the olympics so they definitely maybe they will definitely be mixed feelings on sunday with the closing ceremony. The closing ceremony. Heres hoinu it the closing ceremony. Heres hoping it stays the closing ceremony. Heres hoping it stays drive the closing ceremony. Heres hoping it stays drive you the closing ceremony. Heresj hoping it stays drive you over there in tokyo. The Singer Songwriter Lily Allen is stepping out onto londons West End. Shes revealed she finds theatrical performances scarier than concerts and has to stop herself engaging with the audience when they laugh. Shes starring in Danny Robins new play called � 2 22, a ghost story� which officially opens next week after just five weeks of rehearsals. Mark lobel reports. The multi Award Winner is performed in front of Tens Of Thousands on glastonbury� s famous pyramid stage. Thousands on glastonburys famous pyramid stage. Because im bein famous pyramid stage. Because im being taken famous pyramid stage. Because im being taken over famous pyramid stage. Because im being taken over by famous pyramid stage. Because im being taken over by the im being taken over by the fear. , fear. Now in her new incarnation fear. Now in her new incarnation as fear. Now in her new incarnation as an fear. Now in her new incarnation as an actress, following five weeks of rehearsals, she says she really is being taken over by the fear. I is being taken over by the fear. ~. ,. , is being taken over by the fear. ~. , fear. I know people say youve been on a fear. I know people say youve been on a stage fear. I know people say youve been on a stage before, fear. I know people say youve been on a stage before, but. Fear. I know people say youve been on a stage before, but it| been on a stage before, but it is a completely different experience, its kind of like much scarierfor me. Experience, its kind of like much scarier for me. {lin experience, its kind of like much scarier for me. On stage, lill s much scarier for me. On stage, Lillys Character much scarier for me. On stage, Lillys Character examines much scarier for me. On stage, Lillys Character examines the l Lillys Character examines the supernatural late into the night as the Witching Hour approaches, she argues ghosts are like random memories. Every so often one are like random memories. Every so often one sticks are like random memories. Every so often one sticks out are like random memories. Every so often one sticks out because l so often one sticks out because it sets off some emotional response, so you share it again. Response, so you share it aaain. ,. , response, so you share it aaain. ,. ,. , � , again. The choice of londons Noel Coward again. The choice of londons noel Coward Theatre again. The choice of londons noel Coward Theatre for again. The choice of londons noel Coward Theatre for Lily L Noel Coward Theatre for Lily Allens west End Debut was a comes with a hint of irony, with her character convinced her home is haunted. Apparently the theatre her home is haunted. Apparently the theatre is her home is haunted. Apparently the theatre is haunted her home is haunted. Apparently the theatre is haunted as her home is haunted. Apparently the theatre is haunted as well, i the theatre is haunted as well, the theatre is haunted as well, the guy that built the theatre, charles windham, he walks across the stage and goes into the Dressing Room by the stage which is Lily Allens Dressing Room. As long as he stays in there, thats fine. Is Lily Allens problem. Haunted or not, the allens problem. Haunted or not, the outspoken allens problem. Haunted or not, the outspoken number| allens problem. Haunted or. Not, the outspoken number one selling singles fully aware that the surprising move to the Dressing Room after being approached by a Casting Director Out Of The Blue comes with the risk of well, a premature Exit Stage left. The fact that i premature Exit Stage left. The fact that l do premature Exit Stage left. The fact that i do live premature Exit Stage left. The fact that i do live in premature Exit Stage left. Iie fact that i do live in new premature Exit Stage left. Iie fact that i do live in new York Kind of meant there is a very clear Exit Strategy if it all goes terribly wrong. If i was living in london, i probably wouldnt have taken the job because i would have to live with the consequences, but yeah, everything is great, its all working out fine. All working out fine. Indeed, after review all working out fine. Indeed, after Review Rave all working out fine. Indeed, after Review Rave reviews all working out fine. Indeed, i after Review Rave reviews from fans and previews before next week . Official opening, it looks like a 36 year olds can believe in herself once more as well as the ghosts theyre all staying up to see. You can reach me on twitter im rich preston. Hello there. The very unsettled August Weather continues into this weekend. Low pressure nearby will generate further showers, and again, like friday, we could see some thunderstorms which could lead to some localised flooding in places. But there will be some good spells of sunshine in between, particularly across more southern areas. So, here it is, this area of Low Pressure, which is going to stick around both saturday, sunday and indeed even into monday. Lots of isobars on the charts, so itll be quite breezy again, particularly across southern, South Western areas, and across the northern isles, gusts of 30 110 mph. Well have showers pretty much from the word go anywhere, but most of them will be across scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales. They will drift their way further eastwards into the afternoon, and again therell be some torrential downpours in places. But some good spells of sunshine, particularly across the South East. Another breezy day, these are the mean wind speeds. Temperatures will be a bit disappointing for august, particularly when the showers come along, Itll Feel quite cool. But in the sunny spells, we could make 20 degrees or so across the South East. Otherwise, generally the mid to high teens celsius. As we head through saturday night, we continue with the breeze, further showers. Again, some of them will be quite heavy, particularly across central, northern and western areas. Perhaps turning a little bit quieter across the South East quadrant of the country. And again nowhere particularly cold, with overnight lows 12 14 degrees. So, into sunday, ourarea of Low Pressure still with us, drifting a little bit further northwards and weakening a little bit. Theres fewer isobars on the charts, but theres still enough energy in the low Pressure System to generate further showers, which again could be quite heavy in places throughout sunday. Mainly across central and northern parts of the country, because i think as we head on into the afternoon, there may be a Greater Chance of seeing some sunnier, drier weather for wales, central and southern england. So, that mayjust bump up temperatures to 21 degrees, slightly lighter winds. Again, for most, though, the high teens celsius. Into next week, then, for monday, our area of Low Pressures still with us, so its going to be another day of sunshine and showers. But the winds will turn light, and the system continues to weaken. And as we head on into tuesday, weve got this bump of High Pressure which will build in, and that should settle things down. But Low Pressure always close by to the north and the west of the uk. So, well have most of the showers through the new week across northern and western areas. Greater chance of seeing some drier, sunnier and warmer weather in the south and east. This is bbc news, the headlines afghan officials say the taliban have seized the South West city of zaranj the first Provincial Capital to fall to the militants for five years. During a un Emergency Meeting to discuss the worsening violence its envoy to the region demanded the militants end their offensive. The greek government has put almost Half of the countrys regions on high alert as wildfires continue to spread. Huge clouds of smoke are billowing over the outskirts of athens. A mans been killed in a Village North of the city after being hit by a falling electricity pole. The penultimate day of action at the olympics is underway in tokyo. Kenyas peresjepchirchir has won the Womens Marathon claiming the countrys second, consecutive Gold Medal in the event. Later, medals will also be up for grabs in basketball, volleyball and golf