The fighting means hundreds of thousands of civilians have had to leave their homes with some leaving as far as eastern turkey. Translation we have been on the road for 18 Days. We were brought and wept Here. We walked four or five Days and the children are all Ill. find we walked four or five Days and the children are all Ill. Children are all Ill. And a summar children are all Ill. And a Superstar Welcome children are all Ill. And a Superstar Welcome for l children are all Ill. And a Superstar Welcome for a | children are all Ill. And a Superstar Welcome for a football great, Lionel Messi as he arrives to sign a new deal with Paris Saint germain. Welcome to the programme. Let us start in New York. The governor of new York State, Andrew Cuomo, has announced he is resigning in the face of a sexual harassment scandal. He wIll quit office in two weeks time. This was the announcement. I can help now is if i step aside and let government get i think that given the circumstances, the best way i can help now is if i step aside and let government get back to governing. And tHerefore thats what Ill do because i work you, and doing the right thing is doing the right thing for you. Because as we say, its not about me. Its about we. Kathy hochul, my Lieutenant Governor, is smart and competent. This transition must be seamless. We have a lot going on. Im very worried about the delta variant, and so should you be, but she can come up to speed quickly and my resignation wIll be effective in ia Days. Last week a damning independent inquiry found the new York Governor had harassed 11 women. The Investigation Involved Interviews with almost 200 people, including staff members making complaints against him. Here is the new York Attorney general, letitia james, announcing the reports findings specifically, the investigation found that governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former new York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile Work Environment for women. Andrew cuomos resignation comes a day after a day after one of his accusers came forward to cbs to talk about his treatment of Her. WIll; accusers came forward to cbs to talk about his treatment of Her. About his treatment of Her. Why did Ou File about his treatment of Her. Why did yOu File the about his treatment of Her. Why did yOu File the criminal about his treatment of Her. Why did yOu File the criminal complaint about his treatment of Her. Why did yOu File the criminal complaint with | yOu File the criminal complaint with the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It yOu File the criminal complaint with the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . The Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the ri. Ht the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the right thing the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the right thing to the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the right thing to do. The Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the right thing to do. He the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the right thing to do. He needs i the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the | right thing to do. He needs to the Heriffs-office'>SHeriffs Office . It was the. Right thing to do. He needs to be held accountable. find right thing to do. He needs to be held accountable. Right thing to do. He needs to be held accountable. And ust so i am clear again. Held accountable. And ust so i am clear again, being held accountable. And just so i am clear again, being held held accountable. And just so i am | clear again, being held accountable to you means seeing the governor charged with a crime . What to you means seeing the governor charged with a crime . To you means seeing the governor charged with a crime . What he did to me was a crime. Charged with a crime . What he did to me was a crime. He charged with a crime . What he did to me was a crime. He broke charged with a crime . What he did to me was a crime. He broke the charged with a crime . What he did to me was a crime. He broke the law. Me was a crime. He broke the law. People me was a crime. He broke the law. People dont me was a crime. He broke the law. People dont understand that this is the governor of the state of New York the governor of the state of New York. THere are troopers that are outside york. THere are troopers that are outside of york. THere are troopers that are outside of the mansion and tHere are some outside of the mansion and tHere are some mansion staff. Those troopers that are some mansion staff. Those troopers that are tHere, they are not tHere to protect that are tHere, they are not tHere to protect me. They are tHere to protect to protect me. They are tHere to protect him. Gary odonoghuejoins us live from washington. Good to have you with us. I began listening into the remarks and i am wondering what was it expected . It wasnt given thatjust wondering what was it expected . It wasnt given that just before Andrew Wasnt given thatjust before Andrew Cuomo spoke today, his lawyer had given a pretty robust defence of his position, gone through the state Attorney General positive report attempted to undermine the evidence called into question some of the witnesses and it looked like it was anotHer episode in him sort of standing firm trying to hold out but he came on and he spoke for a long time and then eventually became kind of apparent that he was about to go. I think it took a lot of people surprise given his attitude over the last few Days and weeks in particular but the inevitability was tHere to see in the sense that he had lost all political Support Right from a local State Representatives up from a local State Representatives up to the president himself. He was facing impeachment, facing civil and potential criminal charges as well and tHere was nowHere to go and i think he eventually bowed to something that was really coming along the tracks for him and finally he realised it. I along the tracks for him and finally he realised it. He realised it. I thought he was a settin he realised it. I thought he was a setting out he realised it. I thought he was a setting out a he realised it. I thought he was a setting out a stall he realised it. I thought he was a setting out a Stall On he realised it. I thought he was a setting out a Stall On why he realised it. I thought he was a setting out a Stall On why he he realised it. I thought he was a i setting out a Stall On why he should stay but i was wrong. What does this mean for New York do you think . Also as the Lieutenant Governor steps up in New York gets its first female governor . , in New York gets its first female governor . Governor . That is right, Kathy Hochul wIll governor . That is right, Kathy Hochul wIll be governor . That is right, Kathy Hochul wIll be the governor . That is right, Kathy Hochul wIll be the first governor . That is right, Kathy Hochul wIll be the first female i hochul wIll be the first female governor of New York. Not in the most auspicious circumstances, she would have wanted to take on that role but she wIll do that for the next 15 months or so until tHere is an election next year. I am sure tHere wIll be a democratic primary in which case she may put Her hat into that ring to see who would be a denton democratic candidate the republicans wIll feel tHere is potentially an opening Here given the state of the Democratic Party in New York. But this is a huge sort of blow to the prestige of the Democratic Party. Andrew cuomo really is democratic realty, his fatHer was a three Term Governor of New York. Democratic realty. He was a Cabinet Minister for Ill-quinn'>BIll Quinn to come he is married to a kennedy if you would believe, this is a particular big boat when he garnered a lot of support in response to his Coronavirus Outbreak and became Notjust A Metre of New York which is one of the most important states in the union but he became a sort of national leader while Donald Trump was denying it all in the white house. 50 all in the white house. So interesting all in the white house. 50 interesting gary, thank all in the white house. So interesting gary, thank you for taking us through it. That political bombshell even though some expecting it to not expecting it today. We have heard this reaction from the mayor of new York City bIll de blasio. Here he says. Lets turn now to afghanistan. Taliban fighters are claiming to have overrun a seventh regional capital as they continue to seize territory at speed. The taliban are focusing efforts on provincial capitals wHere tHeres heavy fighting. This is in the nortHern town of mazar i sharif. Both the government and the taliban claiming casualties on both sides. A taliban spokesman said theirfighters had entered the western city of farah, but the government denied this. THere are reports that they have captured the Governors Compound and the police headquarters. Inayatulhaq yasini, editor of the bbc� s Kabul Bureau who has met and spoken to both the taliban leadership and the us envoy to afghanistan. He explains the significance of farah city. The taliban cites differently they are claiming what the goal is all the time when such thing happens, it is difficult for us to end up very fine. But seeing the loss of one week wHere taliban are taking cities by cities, they took nearby farah so it is a very important one and they are trying to get control of the western side of the country. We know that in Herat which is also in the west of the country were seeing fierce fighting between the government forces and the taliban. So if farah falls, and it seems it has fallen, it wIll be a big blow in the west of the country for the government forces. The speed of the Talibans Offensive has taken many analysts by surprise. The taliban, emboldened by the withdrawal of us troops, have taken more territory in afghanistan in the past two months than at any time since they were ousted from power in 2001. The areas in red are under taliban control, while the blue are areas held by the afghan government. Taliban militants have taken large rural areas, key towns and several regional capitals since firday. Since friday. The eu says. Th have since friday. The eu says. They have taken six capitals the past week. Heres the Bbc World services associate editor dr dawood azami. The us left with the withdrawal of its troops, that had a major impact on the impact of the Security Forces and the taliban took full advantage of that, and the Security Forces were trying to fIll the vacuum of the job by nato and us forces, so that was the moment that they started attacking different District Headquarters and later on provincial capitals in different parts of the country. Affected the morale. The situation is desperate. This was the plea from the Afghan Minister for the national disaster authority. Translation we call on The International Community and international organisations to help and cooperate as soon as possible in providing food and nonfood items to the displaced people in afghanistan. We ask the international organisations, especially the un, to apply more pressure. They should put pressure on the taliban to stop their oppression and brutalities against the people. People flee the district that the taliban have captured because of the talibans brutalities. And also, they should increase humanitarian aid to kabul and to the provinces. So, lets take a closer look at who the taliban or the Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan as they call themselves have evolved considerably over their 27 year history. Formed around a core of Afghan Mujahideen veterans from the soviet invasion. They were joined by Young Pashtun Tribesmen from Pakistani Madrassas or religious schools. Pashtuns are the predominant Ethnic Group in afghanistans south and east, and a major Ethnic Group in pakistans north and west. After the us led coalitions offensive resulted in the regimes collapse in 2001 many taliban leaders took refuge in pakistan and continued to direct attacks claims denied by islamabad. The un says tHere are an estimated 58,000 to 100,000 Taliban Fighters led by hibatullah akhundzada, the ultimate authority on religious and military affairs. One of his deputies, now head of the groups military commission, is Mullah Mohammad Yaqub omari, son of the taliban founder, the late mullah omar. The un says estimates for the talibans annual Income Range from 300 mIllion to 1. 6 bIllion a year. The primary sources of their funds are criminal activities, including drug trafficking, opium poppy production, extortion, kidnapping for Ransom And Mineral exploitation. Donations from wealthy individuals and a network of non governmental charitable foundations are also believed to be significant. And now many of the taliban are joined by foreign fighters. Ahmed rashid is an author and a leading expert on the taliban. The taliban and otHer reports from the un and otHer sources say that the taliban are using these foreign fighters in this offensive that they have launched. And they have more manpower than ever before. Well, already we have afghanistan as a haven for six or seven pakistani groups, four or five central asian groups, and multiple otHers including isis. THere doesnt seem to be any wIllingness of the taliban to get rid of these people. How do they get rid of them . They are not going to shoot them. The most they could do is to lock them up in some safehouse and keep them clear from any kind of instigatory trouble, but they dont seem prepared to do that simply because these militants are fighting for the taliban and dying for the taliban. THeres huge efforts underway to persuade the taliban to stop their offensive. Three Days of talks are happening in doha between us envoy zalmay khalilzad, abdullah abdullah the chairman of the High Council for national reconciliation he wIll be attending along with Mullah Baradar who is the head of the talibans political office in qatar. But tHere is a disconnect between the political arm of the taliban and the movement on the ground. General carter explains. He is the head of the british army. I think itll be interesting to see how it brings the rest of the movement togetHer with that and i think we should be watching to see how that happens. Im also certain that tHere is a big disparity between what the political commission, in particular Mullah Baradar, is a saying in public and of course what hes actually doing wandering around doing a bit of diplomacy in russia and china, and tHere is a big disparity between that and whats happening on the battlefield wHere we are seeing atrocities being committed, we are seeing War Crimes being committed, we are seeing women being brutalised, we are seeing forced marriages, all sorts of things that the taliban are notorious for in the past, and tHeres a disparity tHere. So, i think that needs to be called out. Fierce fighting continues in the major cities of Lakshar Gah, Herat and kandahar. Ben hodges was the director of operations in kandahar Hejoins Me now. Thanks forjoining me. First your reaction to what you have seen over the past few Days. flit Reaction to what you have seen over the past few Days. The past few Days. Of course the situation tHere the past few Days. Of course the situation tHere is the past few Days. Of course the situation tHere is desperate the past few Days. Of course the situation tHere is desperate as l the past few Days. Of course the L Situation tHere is desperate as you said earlier, and the way that general carter, chief of the Defence Staff of the uk just described the situation on the ground is very concerning. My own experience tHere in kandaharand in concerning. My own experience tHere in kandahar and in the province, we felt we had made so much progress in Here are ten years later so it is frustrating and sad. Tote Here are ten years later so it is frustrating and sad. Here are ten years later so it is frustrating and sad. We have talked about some frustrating and sad. We have talked about some of frustrating and sad. We have talked about some of the frustrating and sad. We have talked about some of the major frustrating and sad. We have talked about some of the major cities frustrating and sad. We have talked i about some of the major cities wHere fighting continues. No doubt you are probably watching that closely as well. Just how significant are places like kandahar for Herat'>Example Or Herat and Lakshar Gah . All three of those are iconic in terms of the passion ethnic population, birthplace of the taliban but also in terms of investment by the united states, uk, canada, the netHerlands and we all put a lot of effort not just money but people into trying to help build afghan Security Forces and maybe even more importantly helping local governance deliver governance to the afghan population and this is what is under so much pressure. And this is what is under so much ressure. �. ,. , pressure. And then any more ractical pressure. And then any more practical perspective, pressure. And then any more practical perspective, the pressure. And then any more practical perspective, the Logistic Hubs of kandahar and Lakshar Gah, the airfields and that these are the places that would be needed to conduct counterterrorism operations. How do you understand . You continually speak to us tHere about the efforts that were Put In, the frustration you feel that things are going at this direction, how did it turn in the talibans favour in the sense of them being able to really acquire so much in such a short time . ,. , time . That is the part that is frustrating time . That is the part that is frustrating because time . That is the part that is frustrating because i time . That is the part that is| frustrating because i certainly time . That is the part that is i frustrating because i certainly in the time i was tHere and since met an awful lot of afghan officers and police and officials who were talented and committed. So to see it come apart so quickly is frustrating and i think this reflects really two major things. And i think this reflects really two majorthings. Number and i think this reflects really two major things. Number one, the population does not have confidence in the government to be able to deliver notjust a security but governance. That creates a vulnerability that the taliban have been able to exploit. The otHer part though is pakistan and this is who i think is most responsible for this collapse, and the pakistani government is going to regret, i think, what they have helped, a situation to which they have helped contribute. The fact that we the west could not make pakistan deny Safe Haven to the taliban for the variety of reasons, the is and the pakistani support for various organisations because they never wanted to have a very secure and stable afghanistan on their western border is what i think has contributed so much to the situation tHere now. find contributed so much to the situation tHere now. � ,. ,. , tHere now. And i believe islamabad has denied that. THere now. And i believe islamabad has denied that. THere tHere now. And i believe islamabad has denied that. THere were tHere now. And i believe islamabad| has denied that. THere were attacks taking place from within pakistan directed at afghanistan but you say that pakistan wIll regret that position. Do you think the us wIll with wIll regret withdrawing . First, on what you just said nobody above the rank of corporal believes that pakistan was not providing Safe Haven to taliban and alqaeda. We know this over the past many years and of Course Osama Bin laden was kIlled tHere in pakistan. From a us perspective, ifrankly kIlled tHere in pakistan. From a us perspective, i frankly am as disappointed as i am and worried assignment about what is going to happen. President biden has made the right decision. I thought in 2010 we had made so much progress in regional command of south and as so many different ways and i felt very optimistic and that was ten years ago. So tHere is not a solution unless we did something dramatically different with regard to pakistan and of course afghan leadership. So the us i think has made the right decision. WhetHer our allies, it is notjust us, i think as we look back on this. I think a couple of points we wIll have to consider about the future. We took our eye off the strategic objective. We should have been going in 2000 for your 2004 and instead despite Heroic efforts and huge amounts of money from so many people, we lost our focus on what the original purpose was was in 2003 or 2004. The us government never raised taxes to pay for all of us. I think Republican And Democratic Administrations chose not to levy taxes to pay for this which means then that probably 99 of the american population had no skin in the game in afghanistan unless they had a Family Member or tHere was a Reserve Unit from their community. It did not affect Her daily life. Ben hodges very interesting to have your analysis on this story which no doubt we wIll continue to cover. Thank you forjoining us on outside source. We wIll return to afghanistan and later in the programme. Looking at the devastating impact on the population tHere. Here in the uk more a grades have been awarded for A Levels this year, after exams were cancelled for a second year because of the pandemic. Nearly 45 of entries in england, wales and nortHern ireland were awarded an a or a star thats an all time record, and much much higHer than when exams were last held in 2019. Our Education Editor Branwen jeffreys reports from the North East of england wHere the number students acheiving top grades has risen but not as much as everywHere else. After a tough year for students the moment of truth. Fewer surprises in the envelopes this year, they know what work and tests teacHers have used. And few in a Bumper Year for top grades and after all, proud of what theyve achieved despite the disruption. The priority for us isjust to keep going and try to get to uni and wHere you want to go because if you can work through the pandemic and do all the online learning and get your A Levels what is stopping you going to uni . I think the standard has been tHere. It is not that we just walked in and they handed us the grades, we worked for them. Regardless of what youve got you should be proud of what youve done and i know my family wIll be i proud of the work i have Put In. I Here a Star Grades were slightly down, the principal says that they marked students over several months. Theyve had to learn from Home And Learning behind a screen is so different to being in a college environment. I think the rigour of those grades has been extremely high in terms of the amount of work the students have had to produce. Dylan got a Distinction Merit in his btec despite cancer treatment. Sorry yeah, just everything he has come through in the past four years with his leukaemia, he deserves it. Really happy that im getting to go to scarborough. That is the one ive been focused on getting to. While top grades in some vocational qualifications are slightly up, the Big Leap has been in A Levels. What matters to students getting Results Today is what they do next in life, going to work, an apprenticeship or getting a place at university. The system this year has been designed to give them the grades that wIll make sure they can go on to those next steps. But the price of that it seems is a boom in top grades. A level grades this year across the uk are based on teacHer assessments. From lurgan in nortHern ireland to wales wHere students got provisional grades in june. But tHere was no attempt to hold back rising grades with an algorithm. THere were some courses in clearing at newcastle today. But universities are having to choose carefully between top grade students. A level grades are not the only thing that determines this. Their own interests of the student matters a lot, what they say in a personal statement and in some programmes how they come across at interview and what is our assessment of why they are interested in the program. Their place at newcastle confirmed these friends wIll be celebrating. Big news in football. Argentine Star Lionel Messi has agreed a two Year Deal to join french club Paris Saint germain, subject to a medical. In the past half Hour Ozil french media has confirmed he has his medical. French media has confirmed. Wearing a T Shirt that said this is paris, the argentinian Football Star recieved a Heros-welcome'>Heros Welcome from hundreds of fans whod come to greet him. Hes now having a medical assessment which his two Year Deal is subject to. Messi confirmed his exit from barcelona in a tearful farewell on sunday, after 21 years with The Club. Sharma is a footballjournalist. How does it feel watching those pictures in paris from a favourite son that has led to city . Shocking really. Mainly shop and also anger. I think a lot of people are very upset with the fact that a player who has lived in barcelona for 21 years almost now has gone to Paris Saint germain when he wanted to stay and The Club wanted him to stay. A mixture of confusion, disbelief and anger. I stay. A mixture of confusion, disbelief and anger. I suppose eole disbelief and anger. I suppose people might disbelief and anger. I suppose people might wonder disbelief and anger. I suppose people might wonderjust disbelief and anger. I suppose people might wonderjust how expensive is he and how badly off are The Club of barcelona . Are The Club of barcelona . Lionel messi has been are The Club of barcelona . Lionel messi has been very are The Club of barcelona . Lionel messi has been very expensive i are The Club of barcelona . Lionel i messi has been very expensive over the years. He himself was wIlling to Fork A to force a 50 of a Pick Up but it was not above because barcelona are i Pick Up but it was not above because barcelona arei bIllion Pick Up but it was not above because barcelona are 1 bIllion euros Pick Up but it was not above because barcelona arei bIllion euros in debt and they need to get rid of several otHer players on their Ill'>Wage BIll to be able to register Lionel Messi so they had to get rid of coutinho, and at least three or four of those players to register messi and in paris i think he wIll be earning around 25 mIllion euros a Season Net for two years and potentially a third year. I Season Net for two years and potentially a third year. I wonder as well as potentially a third year. I wonder as well as you potentially a third year. I wonder as well as you follow potentially a third year. I wonder as well as you follow this, potentially a third year. I wonder as well as you follow this, some | as well as you follow this, some commentary is that some younger fans in particular Follow Commentary is that some younger fans in particularfollow a Player Commentary is that some younger fans in particular follow a player not a team. Do you think that could be the case of barcelona even sitting in barcelona that you would follow him and Paris Saint germain . Barcelona that you would follow him and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely i think that and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely i think that is and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely | think that is the and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely i think that is the case and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely i think that is the case in and Paris Saintgermain . Absolutely i think that is the case in modern i think that is the case in modern football. THere is already a lot of barcelona fans especially in international countries abroad not living in spain because the people that live in catalonia and live in spain wIll always follow barcelona but they wIll keep an eye out for Lionel Messi but then the fans who have come perhaps later in more recent years living All Over The World and they followed basically messi ever since they started falling football, those are the fans who wIll follow what he does at psg and i dont know if they wIll become Paris Street Paris Saint germain fans, but tHere is a section of people of Football Fans who do that nowaDays. Rik people of Football Fans who do that Nowada S. ~ ,. ,. ,. , ~ nowaDays. Rik sharma thank you so much forjoining nowaDays. Rik sharma thank you so much forjoining us nowaDays. Rik sharma thank you so much forjoining us and nowaDays. Rik sharma thank you so much forjoining us and giving nowaDays. Rik sharma thank you so much forjoining us and giving us i much forjoining us and giving us the picture from barcelona as many people watch towards paris. You were watching outside source. Hello tHere. The weatHer is looking generally more unsettled as we head through the rest of this week. Today, we had some much needed dry weatHer for many parts of the country with some sunshine, making it feel a bit warmer, as well. We did have some showers, some of them heavy and thundery across the Northeastern Parts of the uk, but those are going to be fading away through this evening and heading away out into the north sea. And this is wHere our weatHer is coming from. This more unsettled weatHer, this band of cloud coming in from the atlantic, that Cloud Pushing in from the west, that Cloud Thickening up in nortHern ireland and southwestern scotland with a little rain Here come The End of the night. Those showers in the northeast are moving away, so for many otHer areas, it is really dry. Well have some clearer spells around, temperatures like last night around 11 to 13 degrees. During wednesday, we start off with some brighter weatHer for eastern areas. It wIll cloud over, weve got this rain moving across nortHern ireland and then heading its way steadily eastwards through the day. Moving in fairly quickly across scotland, so even in the afternoon, we wIll see some rain for easternmost parts of the country. But it does means western areas could get some sunshine late on in the day. Itll be cooler in Scotland And it wIll be cooler in nortHern ireland, but at least we get some sunshine in the afternoon after that morning rain. The rain heading its way into the pennines, into wales, the far southwest of england, midlands towards the southeast of england, dry. Some sunshine, increasing amounts of cloud wHere could make 25 degrees for the first time this month. The main driver of the weatHer by thursday, that area of low pressure heading towards the northwest. Were pushing ahead, that Her-front'>WeatHer Front bringing The Rain into england and wales. But overnight, that largely peters out, tHeres not much left at all really on thursday. Just this band of cloud threatening a few spots of rain with some sunshine coming in as well. Sunshine for the north but as the pressure arrives, the winds Pick Up and wetter weatHer across nortHern ireland and Put Into perspective. In the southeast, East Anglia wIll get some sunshine coming through and we wIll be far off 25 degrees. Low pressure stIll affecting the nortHern parts of the uk. StIll some stronger winds on friday and around the local area, some bands of showers spiralling around it in the main one affecting Scotland And nortHern ireland more wet weatHer Here, both consists of shows pushing into england and wales as well. Hello, im nuala mcgovern. This is outside source. The governor of New York has resigned. Pressure has been growing on Him Afterfinding that he is assaulted multiple women and he said he wIll resign for the good of the state. I he wIll resign for the good of the state. , ~. , he wIll resign for the good of the state. , ~. ,. , he wIll resign for the good of the state. , ~. , y. , � he wIll resign for the good of the state. , ~. ,. , ~. , state. I work for you. And doing the riaht thin state. I work for you. And doing the right thing is state. I work for you. And doing the right thing is doing the state. I work for you. And doing the right thing is doing the right state. I work for you. And doing the right thing is doing the right Thing L right thing is doing the right thing for you. His resignation means the New York wIll get its first female governor and his place. Also in the programme, Prince Andrew declines to comment after being Superstar Welcome for Lionel Messi as he arrives to sign a deal with new cloud. Arrives to sign a deal with new club, paris st germain. A woman from the us has filed a civil lawsuit in New York, accusing Prince Andrew of sexual abuse. In a statement, Virginia Giuffre claims she was trafficked to the prince by the convicted paedophile jeffrey epstein, when she was seventeen. The Duke Of York has consistently denied the allegations. Our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. Which of the people in this photograph is telling the truth . The man, Prince Andrew, who categorically denies any impropriety . Or the woman, Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was sexually assaulted by him on three occasions . Miss giuffre has now filed a civil claim in a District Court in New York. The claim states that when she was 17 years old, she was the victim of sex trafficking. Prince andrew has offered no comment to the filing of the court claim. His position remains as it was in his interview with newsnight� s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, when he denied any improper behaviour with Miss Giuffre Prince Andrew has offered no comment to the filing of the court claim. His position remains as it was in his interview with newsnight� s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, when he denied any improper behaviour with Miss Giuffre virginia roberts, as she was then. You can say categorically that you dont recall meeting virginia roberts, dining with Her, dancing with Her at tramp, or going on to have sex with Her in a bedroom in a house in belgravia . I can, i can absolutely, categorically tell you, it never happened. Do you recall any kind of Sexual Contact with virginia roberts, then or at any otHer time . None whatsoever. Miss giuffres lawyers claim andrew has failed to co operate with the us authorities in their investigation into the activities of andrews the going to have to serve him with processing the going to have to serve him with processing in the going to have to serve him with processing in the the going to have to serve him with processing in the united the going to have to serve him with processing in the united states the going to have to serve him with processing in the united states and| processing in the united states and in new processing in the united states and in New York, processing in the united states and in New York, you processing in the united states and in New York, you have processing in the united states and in New York, you have to processing in the united states and| in New York, you have to personally serve in New York, you have to personally serve some in New York, you have to personally serve some of in New York, you have to personally serve some of the in New York, you have to personally serve some of the lawsuit in New York, you have to personally serve some of the lawsuit for it in New York, you have to personally serve some of the lawsuit for it to l serve some of the lawsuit for it to et serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going that serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going that is serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going. That is going serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going. That is going to serve some of the lawsuit for it to get going. That is going to be get going. That is going to be difficult get going. That is going to be difficult considering get going. That is going to be difficult considering hes get going. That is going to be difficult considering hes in. Get going. That is going to bel difficult considering hes in the united difficult considering hes in the united kingdom. Difficult considering hes in the united kingdom. Difficult considering hes in the united kinudom. �. , united kingdom. Buckingham palace is t in to united kingdom. Buckingham palace is trying to keep united kingdom. Buckingham palace is trying to keep everything united kingdom. Buckingham palace is trying to keep everything at united kingdom. Buckingham palace is trying to keep everything at arms trying to keep everything at Arms Length but whatever the truth of these claims, the very fact that a member of the Royal Family finds himself facing them is clearly damaging. Prince andrew has withdrawn from public life of the Royal Family. These latest developments suggest tHere can be little immediate prospect of him restoring his public reputation. Nicholas witchell, bbc news. Lets turn to the us. Thousands of children are returning to School Today amid a surge in coronaVirus Cases, blamed on the more contagious delta variant. The figures are worrying. The us is averaging more than 124,000 new Virus Cases each day. Thats more than double the levels of two weeks ago and the highest rate since early february, when they were peaking. However, nearly a third of eligible americans remain unvaccinated. And Thats Something the Us Federal Government is desperate to address. Heres President Biden on friday. We just have to keep going. It is simple. It means get vaccinated. Please. Its safe. It works. It wIll save lives and maybe save your life. And this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. So, please, get vaccinated. Hospitalisations are increasing in states with low vaccination rates rates, in some hotspots, hospitals are nearing capacity. The outlook is especially challenging in soutHern states. Florida and texas have the highest Hospitalisation Rates in the country. And tHere are reports that the Intensive Care Units are reaching full capacity. On average, more than 8,000 people are being admitted to Hospital Box each day in texas. In florida, its more than 13,000. Apoorva mandavIlli is a reporter for the New York times, focusing on global health, and sHejoins Me now. How do you understand this when you look at texas and florida about why those cases are so high and the states that unvaccinated. Access in florida has very states that unvaccinated. Access in florida has very high states that unvaccinated. Access in florida has very high numbers. Florida has very high numbers. Florida has very high numbers. Florida comes first with one in five cases in the united states and similar proportions for hospitalisations and in texas, at a Concert 10 of the total cases and some of these two places on their own are contributing quite a bit of the tour that we are seeing in the united states. In both the states of governors, republican governors that have throughout the pandemic have been opposed to things like Mask Mandates and have not really been wIlling to Put In the kind of non pharmaceutical interventions that you really need to in order to keep the pieces in check. Keep the pieces in check. I think with that is keep the pieces in check. I think with that is coming keep the pieces in check. I think with that is coming down keep the pieces in check. I think with that is coming down in keep the pieces in check. I thinkl with that is coming down in some ways to politics because this is an issue that has been so divisive and issue that has been so divisive and is that we used to sing as well, depending on whos in power in whichever state . Depending on whos in power in whichever state . Depending on whos in power in whichever state . Absolutely. The. Overnor whichever state . Absolutely. The governor of whichever state . Absolutely. The governor of florida whichever state . Absolutely. The governor of florida has whichever state . Absolutely. The governor of florida has made whichever state . Absolutely. The i governor of florida has made this one of his key issues and if anything, hes really dug in his heels and made a part of his Persona And Part of this programme in florida and so, i think is unwIlling to step back from the stance these adopted to the pandemic. That issue that ou adopted to the pandemic. That issue that you raise. Adopted to the pandemic. That issue that you raise, the adopted to the pandemic. That issue that you raise, the surgeon adopted to the pandemic. That issue that you raise, the surgeon doctor. The surge in delta cases is being felt among young people. The Uk Telegraph reports tHere are currently 1,450 children in hospital in america with coronavirus. Those numbers are small and severe Illness due to covid is uncommon among children. But those figures are the highest since the pandemic began. Currently in the us, everyone who is 12 years of age and older is eligible to get a vaccination. Heres one doctor in texas on his concerns as the new School Term begins. We have seen a steady increase in the number of cases and we have also seen an increase in hospitalised children and adolescents as well. Here in texas, we have School Districts opening this week and certainly throughout the month of august across the state. And across soutHern states, we know that schools do start in august, they started earlier than in the nortHern and in some of the coastal states. And so it is a problem that is upon us. With the new School Term starting, one measure gaining momentum is Mask Mandates in schools. Dr Antony Fauci the countrys top infectious Disease Expert is in favour of that. You surround them with those who can be vaccinated, however they are, teacHers, personneland be vaccinated, however they are, teacHers, personnel and the school, anyone, get them vaccinated and so protect the children with the short of vaccinated people. To the kids can get vaccinated, thats the reason why we are having a strong recommendation cant, that everyone in the schools that everyone in the schools that everyone should wear a mask whetHer or not youre vaccinated. We have to protect the children. But not everyone agrees with that including some republican controlled states whose governors have signed orders so that schools cannot force children to wear masks. But not all schools are complying, including in florida. For example, the School Board in floridas leon county, has Put In place a mandatory Mask Rule for students up to 14 years old. Floridas Governor Ron De Santis threatened this for anyone defying his order. But the threat of fines wIll not stop some schools. This is what one School Official in florida had to say. Apoorva mandavIlli is a reporter for the New York times, focusing on global health, and sHejoins Me now. I went out this is going to play out because the states, kids going back to school already is the, is it possible to know . To school already is the, is it possible to know . This is boiling over to a big possible to know . This is boiling over to a big fight possible to know . This is boiling over to a big fight because possible to know . This is boiling over to a big fight because as. Possible to know . This is boiling | over to a big fight because as you mention, the schools are opening today, this week and the rest of this month in florida already leads the country in paediatric hospitalisations. So it stands that the mask Mandates Band is going to cause a lot of unhappiness. You can see wHere the School Districts are in really tight spot because tHere to go against the governor and some people are suing him so that they can send kids to school safely. The same in texas. Their School Districts in San Antonio these are some the biggest School Districts in the cities and in the state, they are all rebelling against this because they are seen kids are increasingly at a higHer proportion of the people were hospitalised and affected by covid 19. Is of the people were hospitalised and affected by covid19. Affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating and affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating and i affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating and i dont affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating and i dont know. Affected by covid19. Is pretty fascinating and i dont know if| fascinating and i dont know if tHeres one take when it comes to tHeres one take when it comes to the teacHers, the principles, is it possible to garner with that opinion is, briefly . I possible to garner with that opinion is, briefl . ,. Possible to garner with that opinion is, briefl . ~. , is, briefly . I think at this particular is, briefly . I think at this particular states, is, briefly . I think at this particular states, the is, briefly . I think at this particular states, the opinion is likely to be divided and allow the pushbackis likely to be divided and allow the pushback is coming from parents of kids with disabilities or kids who have immunocompromised conditions were particularly worried about their Kids Safety and as you know what the cdc in the us, the kids and teacHers and staff schools all of the country should really be wearing masks in these states stand up for the resistance to the recommendation. ~ ,. , the resistance to the recommendation. ~. Recommendation. Thank you so much and we can recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find more recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find more of recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find more of your recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find more of your work i recommendation. Thank you so much and we can find more of your work in | and we can find more of your work in the New York times. The campaign to free Princess Latifa, the daughter of the ruler of dubai has been disbanded after this image was posted on instagram, which appears to show the princess with Her cousin in iceland and a british woman. This is a big development. Youll remember that in february the Bbc Broadcast this footage of the princess, which she secretly recorded and passed to friends abroad. In the videos she says shes being held alone, without access to medical or legal help. Im a im a hostage and this delay has been converted into a jail. That video prompted an international outcry , and the un demanded proof the 35 year old was stIll alive. However several images of Princess Latifa have since emerged. This instagram image posted injune appears to show Princess Latifa at an airport in madrid injune. In a statement the free Latifa Campaign confirmed the princess had met Her cousin in iceland adding it has been decided that the most appropriate step at this time is to close the free Latifa Campaign. She contacted at the very first time she fled Her home. find she contacted at the very first time she fled Her home. She fled Her home. And he spoke to the bbcjust she fled Her home. And he spoke to the Bbcjust A she fled Her home. And he spoke to the bbc jUst A Little she fled Her home. And he spoke to the Bbcjust A little earlier. She fled Her home. And he spoke to the Bbcjust A little earlier. And the bbc Ust A Little earlier. And the Bbcjust A little earlier. And the are the Bbcjust A little earlier. And they are a the Bbcjust A little earlier. And they are a member the Bbcjust A little earlier. fific they are a member of the campaign as well as latifas cousin. Marcus, for myself and the campaign member, comfortable that latifa was in a good position. And in our campaign is always been to ensure that latifa was free from the jail wHere she was held and released and that she was safe and that safety and well being wasnt just safe and that safety and well being wasntjust now but also in the future and thats the reason why we decided at the moment, to disband the campaign, but to do so with great caution, considering the very considerable and long Standing Duress and intimidation that are to have suffered in the past. To make sure that any freedom she has now is permanent. Lets turn to sweden. The trial of a former Prison Worker from iran accused of involvement in the Illing'>Mass KIlling and torture of political prisoners 30 years ago has opened. Swedish officials say its the first time a senior iranian official has gone on trial in relation to the deaths. Hamid nouri was part of a Prosecution Team at Gohardasht Prison near tehran in the late 1980s. According to swedish media, Mr Nouri was detained after his arrival in stockholm two years ago. Outside court several hundred protesters carrying photos of the victims called forjustice. Human Rights Groups say thousands of inmates who supported leftist Opposition Groups were executed for their beliefs. Mr nouri denies the allegations. Maddie savage has more from stockholm. This is a landmark trial. Never before has an iranian official stood trial for the violence that took place three decades ago in 1988 when a human Rights Group says thousands of people were ordered to be kIlled or tortured and many who are political prisoners were supported by the opposition at the time and he was working in a prison just outside of the area at the time and he was one of those that ordered the kIllings and this is something that he strongly denies. He is on trial if youre in sweden due to a legal principle due to jurisdiction. And if people are accused of crimes that took place elsewHere. And she was arrested when he turned up in stockholm in November 2019 and hes been held by swedish authorities ever since then. And we are expecting is tried to be a long one. Thousands of pages of been submitted and we have yet to get a verdict until april of next year. If he is found guilty, he could face a sentence of up to a lifetime in prison. Stay with us on outside source stIll to come. Taking a look at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan Retell a better afg ha Nista N retell a better defensive Afghanistan Retell a better defensive means hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to leave their homes. In Scotland A Record Number of School Students have achieved a grades in their senior exams. But overall the Pass Rate has dropped slightly since last year. Though its stIll significantly higHer than before the pandemic. Lorna gordon reports. At the theatre group, they are rehearsing this show about hanging in the university. The pandemic meant no exams for School Students this year, but for those Here, they did not mean less work. Hand this year, but for those Here, they did not mean less work. This year, but for those Here, they did not mean less work. And a normal ear, we did not mean less work. And a normal year, we wouldve did not mean less work. And a normal year, we wouldve had did not mean less work. And a normal year, we wouldve had five did not mean less work. And a normal year, we wouldve had five or did not mean less work. And a normal year, we wouldve had five or six year, we wouldve had five or six exams and in this when i sat 19. I really feel like the year has been so incredibly difficult this year than last year as well. Results are based on teacHer than last year as well. Results are based on teacHer assessment, than last year as well. Results are based on teacHer assessment, a l based on teacHer assessment, a Ferry System since the students who like many otHers across scotland have been awarded a grades. Donna 2020 but upon previous years, the percentage of pupils achieving a great reached a record high. At 2019, less than a third of the candidates were awarded in a grade and tHeres a huge leap last year while this year almost half of Her-candidates'>HigHer Candidates received the top grade. HigHer candidates received the top trade. ,. HigHer candidates received the top i rade. ,. ,. , Her-candidates'>HigHer Candidates received the top trade. ,. ,. , grade. This is an incredible set of results, grade. This is an incredible set of results. Young grade. This is an incredible set of results, young people grade. This is an incredible set of results, young people should grade. This is an incredible set of| results, young people should feel proud results, young people should feel proud of results, young people should feel proud of what theyve achieved. They wIll Alwa S proud of what theyve achieved. They wIll always be proud of what theyve achieved. Tia wIll always be heavily scrutinised, the chaos of the Algorithm Based Results followed by the scrapping of exams part way through this year. Opposition parties of Raise Concerns about the Widening Gap between the most and least deprived students which the Scottish Government has vowed to close. Vowed to close. THeres been a sliuht vowed to close. THeres been a slight increase vowed to close. THeres been a slight increase from vowed to close. THeres been a slight increase from last vowed to close. THeres been a slight increase from last Year L slight increase from last year but we look slight increase from last year but we look at slight increase from last year but we look at the slight increase from last year but we look at the historical slight increase from last year but we look at the historical trend,. Slight increase from last year but we look at the historical trend, iti we look at the historical trend, it is stIll we look at the historical trend, it is stIll very we look at the historical trend, it is stIll very good we look at the historical trend, it is stIll very good picture we look at the historical trend, it. Is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 in is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 in the is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 in the years is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 in the years before is stIll very good picture compared to 2019 in the years before that, l is stIll very good picture compared. To 2019 in the years before that, we have seen to 2019 in the years before that, we have seen a to 2019 in the years before that, we have seen a very to 2019 in the years before that, we have seen a very big to 2019 in the years before that, we have seen a very big improvement. | to 2019 in the years before that, we. Have seen a very big improvement. Ti have seen a very big improvement. Record of students have been accepted to universities Here, their hard work paying off after an exceptional year of challenges in the education system. This is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. Our Lead Story is. New York Governor cuomo has resigned after the inquiry found he sexually harassed multiple women. Lets return to one of our top stories of kunduz, wHere the taliban Seized Control On Sunday 60,000 people are estimated to have fled their homes of those Taliban Fighters are claiming to have overrun a seventh regional capital as they continue to seize territory at speed. The taliban are focusing efforts on provincial capitals wHere tHeres heavy fighting. And contested areas, the offices receiving reports of summary executions, attacks against current and former Government Officials and their Family Members, military destruction of homes, schools and clinics. In large numbers of explosive devices. Including Pressure Antipersonnel land including Pressure Antipersonnel [and mines. Thousands continue to flee the fighting. Many are now living in makeshift tents, these ones are in kabul. OtHers are being given shelter by families in the city. According to the eu 400,000 afghans have been internally displaced by the fighting over recent months in the northen city of kunduz, wHere the taliban Seized Control On Sunday 60,000 people are estimated to have fled their homes of those 36,000 are children. Heres the concerns of the norwegian refugee council. People werent necessarily able or prepared for the fighting to really reach their vIllages, so that they are fearful of the fighting when it reaches them of the fighting when it reaches them and hunkering down as it comes. They are fearful of Air Strikes and then fleeing to kabul in particular in search of safety and to be able to take a breath and then once they arrive, what we are seeing is tHere is extremely limited space for Idps Space with just the clothes on their backs. THeres not sufficient shelter. The teams that ive spoken to sing this is the worst situation they have seenin is the worst situation they have seen in couple ever before because people are coming from provinces all across the country. And many afghans have been forced to flee the country. Many fleeing to neighbouring iran and pakistan as well as furtHer afield, these afghans have crossed into eastern turkey. Lets hear some of their stories. Translation weve been on the road for 18 Days. We were brought and left Here. We walked four or five Days and the children are all Ill. Police chase us and we escape. THere are many problems like this. What should we do, and wHere should we go . Translation with my son, daughter, i and wife, we went to iran to cross i the border but we came into a police ambush. The Border Guards fired at us. I lost track of my wife and my daughter. I continued the journey with my only son. I came to turkey to go to greece, but i dont know wHere my Wife And Daughter are. Now, as we just heard tHere many of those Afghans In Turkey wIll be trying to make it through to the european union. The bloc announced today that it would halt forced returns and as the fighting continues across the country, it wIll continue to impact the civilians. Heres the head of the British Armed Services on what it wIll take to stop this humanitarian crisis from deepening. I think we have already got a humanitarian tragedy. The question now is whetHer it gets worse or not, and so much of that depends upon how the parties now behave and whetHer or not the afghan government can bind togetHer the population that it governs stIll to provide a real unity and real confidence and a real sense of purpose to be defiant. And if they can do that then tHere is every reason to suppose that the parties wIll have to come togetHer to talk about the future at a table. Scientists are testing an artificial Intelligence System that may be able to diagnose dementia after a single Brain Scan. It could also predict how quickly the condition wIll advance. Over the next 20 years its thought the number of people with dementia in the uk wIll almost double to 1. 6 mIllion. Our science correspondent, pallab ghosh, reports careful over Here. Penelope clark noticed that Her husband, dennis, began to forget things last year. They were concerned he was developing some form of dementia. The couple, from Hertfordshire, are taking part in trials of a new system that wIll be able to tell not only whetHer dennis has some form of dementia but how quickly it is likely to develop. Have you got any questions about it at all . No, i think its fantastic. If you had a diagnosis that gave you some indication of the progression, would that be of help . Well, then we could, you know, plan financially as well as, as a couple to be able to perhaps have a few holiDays before things got bad that i couldnt take dennis on holiday. It makes me more comfortable because you are not waiting for a diagnosis and you have someone saying they know what it is now. Denniss Brain Scan wIll be analysed by an Artificial Intelligence computer programme. It compares his scan with those of thousands of otHer dementia patients. In preclinical tests, its been able to diagnose dementia years before symptoms develop. You have a diagnosis of dementia, and that is a big thing to take on board, so when im delivering this diagnosis, anything i can do to be more confident about that and to give people more information and to help them plan their lives is a great thing to be able to do. And the new technique can give results much faster. Currently it can take several scans and many otHer tests to find out whetHer someone has dementia. The new artificial Intelligence System can potentially pick it up with just one scan and it can pick it up much earlier in the progression of the disease. The researcHer who led the development of the system believes that early and accurate diagnosis of dementia wIll make treatments much more effective. The treatments can kick in early and slow down the progression, and at the same time avoid happening to the brain and its likely that the symptoms might occur later in life or they may actually never occur. The system is currently being tested to see if it works just as well in a clinical setting as it has in the lab. If so, it wIll make a big difference to dennis and mIllions like him. Thank you very much for watching outside source. Hello tHere. The weatHer is looking generally more unsettled as we head through the rest of this week. Today, we had some much needed dry weatHer for many parts of the country with some sunshine, making it feel a bit warmer, as well. We did have some showers, some of them heavy and thundery across the Northeastern Parts of the uk, but those are going to be fading away through this evening and heading away out into the north sea. And this is wHere our weatHer is coming from. This more unsettled weatHer, this band of cloud coming in from the atlantic, that Cloud Pushing in from the west, that Cloud Thickening up in nortHern ireland and southwestern scotland with a little rain Here come The End of the night. Those showers in the northeast are moving away, so for many otHer areas, it is really dry. Well have some clearer spells around, temperatures like last night around 11 to 13 degrees. During wednesday, we start off with some brighter weatHer for eastern areas. It wIll cloud over, weve got this rain moving across nortHern ireland and then heading its way steadily eastwards through the day. Moving in fairly quickly across scotland, so even in the afternoon, we wIll see some rain for easternmost parts of the country. But it does means western areas could get some sunshine late on in the day. Itll be cooler in Scotland And it wIll be cooler in nortHern ireland, but at least we get some sunshine in the afternoon after that morning rain. The rain heading its way into the pennines, into wales, the far southwest of england, midlands towards the southeast of england, dry. Some sunshine, increasing amounts of cloud wHere could make 25 degrees for the first time this month. The main driver of the weatHer by thursday, that area of low pressure heading towards the northwest. Were pushing ahead, that Her-front'>WeatHer Front bringing The Rain into england and wales. But overnight, that largely peters out, tHeres not much left at all really on thursday. Just this band of cloud threatening a few spots of rain with some sunshine coming in as well. Sunshine for the north but as the pressure arrives, the winds Pick Up and wetter weatHer across nortHern ireland and Put Into perspective. In the southeast, East Anglia wIll get some sunshine coming through and we wIll be fair off 25 degrees. Low pressure stIll affecting more nortHern parts of the uk. StIll some stronger winds on friday and around the local area, some bands of showers spiralling around it, the main one affecting Scotland And nortHern ireland more wet weatHer Here, both consists of shows pushing into england and wales as well. We have to temperatures down near a normal 18 to 22 celsius. This is bbc news. Im martine croxall. The headlines at 8pm Record Numbers of top grades for a level students in england, wales and nortHern ireland after exams were cancelled for a second year in a row because of the pandemic. I think weve experienced things that otHers years havent, weve had a lot of uncertainty. And at The End of the day, our results came from tests that were done under exam conditions. In scotland, a Record Number have achieved a grades in higHers and advanced higHers, though the overall Pass Rate has dropped slightly. Prince andrew declines to comment after an american woman files a civil case in New York claiming he sexually assaulted Her when she was 17. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigns after an inquiry found he sexually harassed multiple women