Year of record high gcse grades here in the uk, with Teacher Assessments instead of exams raising questions about regional differences. Hello and welcome. In the last few hours we heard the provincial capital has fallen to the taliban. Earlier in the David Group also captured afghanistans also captured afg hanistan� s third biggest also captured afghanistans third biggest city and appear poised to gain control of kandahar, the second largest. The now control about two thirds of the country. The country. The group says life under its rules will be different for afghan civilians compared to the 19905 afghan civilians compared to the 1990s and the fear is for a groups strict interpretation of Sharia Law will return. Afghanistan, 2021 the taliban are back, taking city after city from government forces. The withdrawal of foreign troops has left a Power Vacuum the taliban are rushing to fill. If they take power, many people here fear a return to their brutal regime of the � 90s, characterised by public executions, stonings and girls being banned from school. Despite the historic Peace Deal that was signed between the us and the taliban in february 2020, and the ongoing Peace Talks taking place in doha, qatar, between the afghan government and the taliban, no progress has been made. I travelled to doha to meet with Suhail Shahin, a member of the taliban peace negotiation team. If you were to return to kabul, how would you govern . There was in the past some mistakes that we have learned from, because at that time you were new to the government to stop education of women and girls. That is not our goal. Of course, education is their right and it is much needed. While Suhail Shahin continues to talk about peace, its clearly not a view shared by Taliban Commanders closing in on afghanistans cities. Back in kabul, taliban Commander Maulana from helmand agreed to meet me. What do you want . Do you want the Taliban Regime to come back into power or do you think that there should be a Power Sharing Deal with the current government . Like the discussions that are being had in doha . Translation we would be happy to have a joint government under. The umbrella of islamic sharia. A sharia based system in afghanistan, like the system the taliban used to have. If we talk about Law And Order and justice, if someone were to steal or commit adultery, what should happen to them . Translation all this is clearly stated in the koran. If someone steals, there is a punishment, for example, for some theft, the punishment is cutting off the hand and foot. And if someone commits adultery, then they should be stoned. And if there isnt a political resolution to this conflict, are you prepared to take kabul by force . Translation im trying to defeat | the government and theyre trying| to make me disappear. In The End, we will be compelled to kill one another. Increasingly, it appears there is a disconnect between what is being said by the political office in doha and what the Taliban Commanders and foot soldiers are doing on the ground in afghanistan. But the Vice President of afghanistan remains defiant. This group in doha. They are a deceptive facade of a very dark reality called the taliban. So in your view, have they changed . No, not only they have not changed, they have become savvier in deceiving. With the government adamant to defy a new era of Sharia Law, and the taliban making significant gains, afghans now seem to be caught up in a savage war that has taken on a life of its own. Yalda hakim, Bbc News, kabul. Lets head over to washington and speak to the bbc� s Gary 0donoghue for more on the evacuation of staff from the us embassy. The pentagon have been holding a Press Conference and team to point out the limited scope of this mission. ,. H, out the limited scope of this mission. ,. , mission. Yes. Very much so stressing what they called mission. Yes. Very much so stressing what they called being mission. Yes. Very much so stressing what they called being a mission. Yes. Very much so stressing what they called being a temporary i what they called being a temporary admission with a narrow focus and also pointing out the State Department want to get their personnel out to which the mission to do by The End of this month. That is barely a couple more weeks and we just over whether or not they will be there any longer than that we do not know. What we have been told is that at that its mission is complete that at that its mission is complete that they still will be fewer than A Thousand troops inside afghanistan to protect the remaining diplomats and embassy there. Its unquestionably a reverse and in some sense this is not intended and gave already evacuated to a Half Dozen trips and now 3000 more to affect evacuation and the reality has changed so much on the ground that the urgency has become great because of the advances that are made in the last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made. Mb . Last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made. Last couple of weeks that the quick decision has to be made. Why are The Voice is saying decision has to be made. Why are The Voice is saying in decision has to be made. Why are The Voice is saying in the decision has to be made. Why are The Voice is saying in the united decision has to be made. Why are The Voice is saying in the united states i voice is saying in the united states what was the last 20 years on about if we are seeing taliban take such huge slaves of afghanistan so quickly . Huge slaves of afghanistan so cuickl . ,. ,. ,. , huge slaves of afghanistan so cuickl . ,. ,. ,. , quickly . You do hear voices that they look. Quickly . You do hear voices that they look. We quickly . You do hear voices that they look, we are quickly . You do hear voices that they look, we are really quickly . You do hear voices that they look, we are really worried| they look, we are really worried about the advances in Civil Society that have been achieved inside afghanistan and the building of schools and the emancipation of women to that extent and being educated and the changes in the culture that all of that could be wiped away by the time by the taliban and you heard there dead taliban and you heard there dead taliban have become to some people more savvy. He talked about not going back these things and some elements still talk about the return of Sharia Law and they islamic amorites of afghanistan as they used to call it. To that end i think thats why you are seeing statements coming out of qatar where the talks are being held between the taliban and the afghan government and other regional powers saying that taking this country by force and we would be isolated and he will get no assistance and the question is of course, its the taliban clear about that. I diplomatic correspondent explains what steps did british are taking. What we are going to see if they arrive at end the deployment of 600 british troops and some of those will already be on the way and in position to facilitate their final stages of the withdrawal of the number of personnel. Some british Embassy Personnel and the size of the embassy is being reduced and other british nationals were working in afghanistan that are being advised by the British Government to leave as soon as they can include all sites of people working with Ngos Security contractors and so forth and also a member of afghan and feminine situation to what you just heard gary describing and afghans who are eligible for a programme that the British Government has to relocate them and their families to the uk. These are people who have been translator or in other some way or another worked with the british authorities and as a result they have a claim for their own safety to want to leave the country. All of that is going to happen. What the government is saying is that this is all absolutely part of the planet has been for months. And of course everything thats happening right now essentially is inevitable or has been inevitable every since joe been inevitable every Sincejoe Biden been inevitable every since Joe Biden announced been inevitable every Sincejoe Biden announced earlier in the year that they are taking to withdraw american troops from afghanistan and its all inevitable but i think the pace said it is being increased and there is a real sense of urgency because of what we see on the ground with his taliban advance in the past week or two. That is clearly concentrating mind and speeding up the process and in the case of the british embassy its leading to a reduction in the staff which they had not necessarily expected to do just now. Had not necessarily expected to do ust now. ,. ,. , just now. People In The City of anic just now. People In The City of Panic Have just now. People In The City of Panic Have been just now. People In The City of Panic Have been told just now. People In The City of Panic Have been told to just now. People In The City of Panic Have been told to stay l just now. People In The City of Panic Have been told to stay inside at the reports of gunfire. Emergency services are responding to likes being described as a serious incident In The City. I and Air Ambulances and doctors and paramedics are being sent to district. The local mp said they are a number of the themes but it was not terror related. Its a Case Study in what happens when Religion And Politics clash with science. As weve been reporting this week the number of Covid Infections are surging in the united states as a result of the delta variant. But its where thats happening thats most interesting. Health professionals are calling it an epidemic of the unvaccinated. There was an average of 113 Thousand cases per day in the us over the last week. But the sharp increase in hospitalisations and deaths is nearly all concentrated in strongly republican and religious Southern-states'>Southern States where vaccine take up has been virtually half the national average. 0ur North America editor, Jon Sopel is in louisiana and has been travelling across the South'>Deep South to find out why. The Life Tabernacle Church in louisiana. Congregation thousands. Influence in the state considerable. A message dont get vaccinated. Pastor spell estimates fewer than i of his churchgoers have been. Vaccinations keep them alive. They will not, that has not been proven. But this is an epidemic of the unvaccinated now, in the South. That is what is being said by politicians, but we dont trust that. And the people who run the hospitals. And that is financially motivated. And those we spoke to before the service began were of like mind. Have you been vaccinated . No, sir, i have not. And will you get vaccinated . No, sir, iwont. Why . Because i dont trust it, and i dont know whats in them. Are you going to get vaccinated . No. Why . I dont think theres a need for a vaccination. Like, ifeel. I feel like im 0k without it. Someone else who bought into this viewpoint was 22 year old Josh Bradstreet contreras. He was a fit, healthy College Kid and last friday after Contracting Covid a week earlier, died. He was unvaccinated. His Mother Tarsha is now on a mission to persuade other young people that actually they are not invincible. If i could sell all my worldly possessions, and its not much that i have, to bring josh back i would. Everything, even the shirt on my back. So in other words, get the vaccine. Take the vaccine. In louisiana, just 37 of adults have had the jab. Across the state line, that drops to 35 , the lowest in the country. We have just crossed the border from louisiana into mississippi, another state where cases are surging, another state where its impossible to get an Intensive Care bed. But the republican governor is refusing to follow Government Advice that people should wear a mask. Once again, issues of politics have become hopelessly intertwined with matters of public health. And the politics is this the areas with the lowest Vaccine Rates are in districts where support for Donald Trump was highest. And in a rewriting of one of americas most famous gun supporting slogans, these people are defending the right not to bare their arms. But that has resulted in the kings Daughters Hospital in rural mississippi being inundated like never before with covid cases. The senior physician is wrung out. Its pretty dire. We are running out of beds, we are running out of staff. We are running out of the oxygen means that we give these patients. Were interrupted by him having to deal with an emergency in Intensive Care. We have a patient that is maxed out on Life Support in the Intensive Care unit, despite our best efforts and measures theyre just not getting better. A couple of hours after we had stopped filming, we were told that the 68 year Old Man had died. He had not been vaccinated. Jon sopel, Bbc News, in the South'>Deep South. Stay with us on news, still to come Stu D E nts students are seeing how they fared on their gcses. Ministers at Stormont Have decided to ease Covid Isolation rules, which will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the uk On Monday. The devolved government is also lifting restrictions on social gatherings in private gardens, and is allowing conferences and exhibitions to resume. 0ur Correspondent Emma Vardy has more. They held back on some other key areas that some people were hoping for identical a bit further. 0ne areas that some people were hoping for identical a bit further. One of thoseis for identical a bit further. One of those is the social distancing rules indoors. He will remain in place in Northern Ireland. That means nightclubs cannot reopen that they have been elsewhere in the uk and its going to be a big disappointment for the hospitality industry. He had been pushing really hard for social distancing rules indoors to be dropped here today can get more people to the doorstep of my people onto tables and things like that in pubs and restaurants. Parts of every age thats reason for caution here is that Northern Ireland had the highest Infection Rates in the uk and also theres been a lower take up and vaccination particularly i among young age groups so stated a cause for concern. Here in the uk more than half A Million Gcse Students in england, wales and Northern Ireland have achieved another set of record results, with both the proportion of students getting top grades and those achieving pass rates rising slightly from last year. It follows a second year in which exams were replaced with the assessments of teachers. From Leeds 0ur Education editor branwenjeffreys reports. A calm Results Day at this leeds comprehensive. Grades were slightly up overall. For some, like sophie, complete delight. Im so happy. Ive done way better than i thought i did. Ive got english literature, i got a nine. English language i got a nine, drama, i got a nine. Girls got two thirds of the top Grade Nines in england. They also edged ahead for the first time in maths. With teacher assessed grades, top grades remained higher than before the pandemic. It made it a lot more nerve racking than probably normal gcses would be. Yeah, i got more than i hoped for. Im just really proud of myself. They kept learning through lockdowns and self isolating, knowing it was harderfor some in theiryear group. I do know some people who have struggled with online learning because they dont have. They have bad internet connection, or they might not have the proper newest laptops that work fast. So i think it is fair to say that there is a disadvantage in the north. At this school, the gap between better off and disadvantaged prove slightly wider. But the starkest difference is north to South. The Pandemic Hasnt created the differences between the north and South, but many fear it has entrenched them, with schools across the north of england experiencing substantial disruption during this last year, seeing more families relying on Free School Meals or struggling financially. The school bought laptops, offered support. More than a third of pupils here qualified for extra funding. It has been a tough year. Families who are working incredibly hard, that have faced challenges around their own working environments, when they are expected to be working, how they are working, Working From Home, for example. And our students have had to take some of the burden and pressure. In todays results, Northern Ireland had the highest grades. But in wales too grades remain higher than before the pandemic. Melissa got her gcse results today. She was signing up at college for one of the new T Levels in health and social care. And, for most students, thats what grades are, the passport to the next step. I was signed up for three A Levels at a couple of different colleges, and then i heard about T Levels and decided that the more practical side appealed to me more than just sitting in a classroom all day. But for colleges, there is a challenge. With more getting better results, it is hard to work out if students need extra help. So, theyre running a six week welcome programme here. Say for Example Weve got a group of 20 students, theyre all coming in with differenT Levels of skills, abilities and knowledge. And the real challenge we have for those students is making sure that theyre on the right programme, at the right level, and were going to be able to support them to stay in their learning and be successful. Students are relieved to have got through this last year. But next year, exams are back and thats a different challenge. Their reasoning are called the among children nearly doubled injuly and hospitals are being stretched to capacity. Afterfour hospitals are being stretched to capacity. After four hours of testimony and debate the School Board voted in favour of the mandate. This is what happened after the meeting. Chanting. Keep calm Keep Calm. You are not on our side the Keep Calm Keep Calm. You are not on our side the police Keep Calm Keep Calm. You are not on our side the police are Keep Calm Keep Calm. You are not on our side the police are on Keep Calm Keep Calm. You are not on our side the police are on our our side the police are on our Side Calm our side the police are on our Side Calm down our side the police are on our Side Calm down calm our side the police are on our Side Calm down calm down | our side the police are on our i Side Calm down calm down we our side the police are on our Side Calm down calm down we know who ou Side Calm down calm down we know who you are Side Calm down calm down we know who you are you Side Calm down calm down we know who you are you can Side Calm down calm down we know who you are you can leave Side Calm down calm down we know who you are you can leave freely who you are you can leave freely but we who you are you can leave freely but we will who you are you can leave freely but we will find you and we know who you are but we will find you and we know who ou are . ,. ,. , you are you will never be allowed in ublic you are you will never be allowed in public again you are you will never be allowed in public again the you are you will never be allowed in public again the man you are you will never be allowed in public again the man in you are you will never be allowed in public again the man in the you are you will never be allowed in public again the man in the car the were in public again the man in the car they were shouting in public again the man in the car they were shouting out in public again the man in the car they were shouting out was in public again the man in the car they were shouting out was one i in public again the man in the car they were shouting out was one of they were shouting out was one of the Health Care experts who testified at the meeting. The doctor is an internal Medicine Specialist and also one of the parents at that meeting and Hejoined Us now. You left with your wife before things turned into what we saw that video. But you were in that meeting described to us what was going on. Give us a brief favour. Give us a brief favour. Well, Thank Ou for give us a brief favour. Well, thank you for having give us a brief favour. Well, thank you for having me. Give us a brief favour. Well, thank you for having me. When give us a brief favour. Well, thank you for having me. When i give us a brief favour. Well, thank you for having me. When i went i give us a brief favour. Well, thank| you for having me. When i went to that meeting, i went because i knew there was this meeting to hear about there was this meeting to hear about the benefits or not of having masks In School and the council wanted to hear from In School and the council wanted to hearfrom members of In School and the council wanted to hear from members of the Community And Ifelt like i with parents in the School System that i should command and my voice. I did not expect what would be there which was a very large crowd of highly organised and charged up and frankly very angry parents holding signs and it became what you saw but what you did not see in the meeting was they were very angry and upset about this mandate and in the meeting myself and several other Health Care providers from the community, we were there to provide statistics and facts and urge the council to mandates masks for our kids to keep them safe and there were more of the other side of the room and they were energised to say the least. Your child has respiratory energised to say the least. Your child has respiratory problems. You also have a scientific understanding of this, when you look at that video now, what is your response and your view . � , now, what is your response and your view . � , 4 view . Its disappointing. Ithink when Ou View . Its disappointing. Ithink when you see view . Its disappointing. Ithink when you see this view . Its disappointing. Ithink when you see this Amount View . Its disappointing. Ithink when you see this amount of i view . Its disappointing. I think when you see this amount of anger over something that doctors and scientists feel is the only rational way to prevent School Closures and infectious outspread, outbreak Dentists Reaction to me feels out of proportion and to emotional and contrary to what we both want. Both sides want the same thing and thats to keep our children safe and to see this kind of outrage it makes me really sad and disappointed. Mostly disappointed because what appears to have happen is there has been a breakdown in our message and the medical community has somehow lost this group of people and im not clear how we did it or how we will get them back. Its clear how we did it or how we will get them back get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. Get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. I get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. I think get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. I think a get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. I think a lot i get them back. Its a sad and disappointed. I think a lot of| disappointed. I think a lot of people would feel afraid seeing those pictures. You work in a Covid I9 Hotspot in tennessee. That is who you are seeing now cleaning to be treated for coronavirus . This is a very new to be treated for coronavirus . This is a very new phase to be treated for coronavirus . Ti 3 is a very new phase of the pandemic over here. It is absolutely a pandemic of the unvaccinated right now. We are having difficulty convincing my people to get the vaccine and what we are seeing because in fact is the vast majority of the sick people that are coming they have not gotten the vaccine for one reason or another. Some people have got the wrong information and some people were just scared of the unknown but the End Result is very sick people and a lot of these people are relatively young. 30s, 40s, 50s, its not what we are seeing the majority of in the first phase of the pandemic. These are all there. Now they are trending more younger and middle aged. And these patients are getting very sick because of course of the new variant that has become the dominant variant, being downtown, its far more contagious and can meet people sick orfaster. More contagious and can meet people sick or faster. Unfortunately, more contagious and can meet people sick orfaster. Unfortunately, i went to sick or faster. Unfortunately, i went to about of treatments that his disease has not really brought that much since the beginning of the pandemic. We still use the same drugs. Some things that dont work. In many cases these young people are coming and scared that I Cant breathe, and we have limited ability to help them. And it is an extracurricular thinking to see. Somehow, scientists need to call back the argument. Thank you for talking to us. Hello there. Low pressures continuing to bring windy conditions for scotland and Northern Ireland, plenty of blustery showers further South. Weve had quite a bit of cloud across Southern-england'>Southern England particularly, but thats mostly broken up to allow for some late sunshine. Through the evening, though, that area of low pressure continues to pass the north of scotland. Thats going to bring further windy weather here and further showers, particularly Western Scotland into parts of Northern Ireland. Some heavy showers at that, too. Further South, a lot of clear skies and a bit of cloud here and there, just one or two showers, perhaps. A breezy day to come across the board, windy in the northwest. These are mean Wind Speeds gusts could be up to 30 40 mph in exposure. A fairly mild night to come and a milder night certainly across the north of the uk than what weve had previous night. So, for friday, weve got that low pressure still to the north of the uk, Higher Pressure further South, so it does mean well see a South-divide'>North South Divide through the day. Again, a fairly breezy day across the board, but windy again for scotland in particular, where well have lots of showers piling in, particularly to western areas. Best of any sunshine will be towards the east. For Northern Ireland, but certainly for england and wales, a dry and bright day with some sunny spells around. A brighter day in the South compared to thursday. Temperatures respond we could see 23, maybe 2a degrees. For the weekend, it looks fairly mixed. Weve got an area of low pressure working its way in from The Atlantic. Doesnt look like its going to get very far, though, eastwards, and also, its going to weaken through the weekend. So, some uncertainty to the amounts of rain were going to see from this weather front, which will push across the Irish Sea area. But at the moment, it looks like more central parts of the country which could see some splashes of rain. Up to the South of it and to the north, it should stay dry with some sunny spells. 22 23 degrees in the South given some sunshine, high teens in the north. And then, for sunday, the Weather Fronts spread their way eastwards, but it is a weakening feature, so i think well see variable amounts of cloud through sunday. Could see some showery rain for northern scotland, perhaps Northern England and Southern scotland, and a few showers, perhaps, for Southern-england'>Southern England as well through the day, in between some good spells of sunshine. The details of this could change, so stay tuned to the forecast. But in some sunshine, in the South, it could feel fairly warm. A few showers are likely across northern and eastern parts of the uk into the start of the new week, but generally, i think we should see a lot of fine weather with some sunshine, but feeling cool. This is Bbc News with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. The us and uk are Sending Thousands of troops to get Embassy Staff out of afghanistan, as taliban Forces Advance through the country. New data from the 2020 us census show a more diverse nation than ever in the nations history. Also in that data, a declining birth rate. Well ask an expert why she thinks america doesnt make it easy for women to have babies. Plus, warnings of searing temperatures across large swathes of Southern-europe'>Southern Europe by the weekend. In italy, theyve already hit record highs. The face of america is changing, and its much more racially and ethnically diverse than its ever been, according to new numbers from the us census bureau. For the first time ever, the countrys white population declined a shift that wasnt expected for another eight years. Among the groups driving this surge were largely asians and hispanics. A new report from Pew Research shows that more americans welcome the rise of ethnic diversity in the country, but are increasingly divided in how far the nation has come in addressing racial inequality. Now here to unpack what this means for the us, im joined now by mark hugo lopez, who is the director of Race And Ethnicity research at Pew Research center in washington dc, and Michael Li who serves as the Senior Counsel at the brennan Centers Democracy Program in new york city. Mark and michael, welcome. Mark. Theres a clear shift in what the us looks like, what do americans from different backgrounds make of progress in Race And Equality is yellow its a really good question. When we look at whether americans. A diverse country is stronger. But we also found the recent discussion about the history of Slavery And Racism in the country is something that divides americans, about whether or not thats good or bad for the country. About half of americans say its very good. Put another half of americans say its not so good for the country. Black americans are more likely, half of them will say its very good were having this conversation. The nation is somewhat split about whether or not diversity is good for the country, but also about whether or not the conversation is good for the nation overall. Nation overall. Michael, there is a lot of Data Nation overall. Michael, there is a lot of data that nation overall. Michael, there is a lot of data that needs nation overall. Michael, there is a lot of data that needs to nation overall. Michael, there is a lot of data that needs to be nation overall. Michael, there is Al Lot of data that needs to be looked through, but what do you know . What are you expecting to see in terms of just how diverse the different parts of the country are . I just how diverse the different parts of the country are . Of the country are . I think the sto of of the country are . I think the story of the of the country are . I think the story of the census of the country are . I think the story of the census is of the country are . I think the story of the census is not onlyj of the country are . I think the I Story of the census is not only how much story of the census is not only how much more story of the census is not only how much more diverse the country has gotten, much more diverse the country has gotten, but much more diverse the country has gotten, but how its gotten diverse in some gotten, but how its gotten diverse in some places that traditionally werent in some places that traditionally werent diverse. Particularly the subgroups. As we get into the data, we see subgroups. As we get into the data, we see the subgroups. As we get into the data, we see the suburbs became much more diverse, we see the suburbs became much more diverse, and we see the suburbs became much more diverse, and that really sort of is a heart diverse, and that really sort of is a heart of diverse, and that really sort of is a heart of many political fights as states a heart of many political fights as states redrawn maps to accommodate that diversity and to see whether we can build that diversity and to see whether we can build a that diversity and to see whether we can build a true multiracial democracy. Can build a true multiracial democracy can build a true multiracial democracy. How much of a battleground democracy. How much of a battleground is democracy. How much of a battleground is it democracy. How much of a battleground is it going i democracy. How much of a battleground is it going to | democracy. How much of a i battleground is it going to be . Democracy. How much of a battleground is it going to be . I think it to be barely significant. Fairly think it to be barely significant. Fairly significant. Texas and georgia fairly significant. Texas and georgia really have accidents stonefield to their politics. Accidental stonefield to their politics. Accidental feel. The growth of communities in a lot of ways is like a shock communities in a lot of ways is like a shock to communities in a lot of ways is like a shock to the system. It seems threatening to people, so there is an x Essential Field of politics. Rather an x Essential Field of politics. Rather than embrace the future, republicans in particular will try to kick republicans in particular will try to kick the can down the road. Who thinks that the to kick the can down the road. Twin thinks that the united to kick the can down the road. I� hi� uff� thinks that the united states to kick the can down the road. if ir thinks that the united states is to kick the can down the road. Wm . Thinks that the united states is on the right track and who thinks theres the right track and who thinks theres a lot more to be done when it comes to getting people from all backgrounds equal opportunities . This is one of the big findings of our report that points to the political divide. Republicans, about half will say the Problem Country has made a lot of progress, but its democrat to say that a lot more deeds to be done. If you take a look at what needs to be done, the us is split there. Where another half will say in terms of institutions and processes in place, so the public is divided about the Progress Weve divided about the Progress Weve made and what should be done. Itighten made and what should be done. When it comes to teaching made and what should be done. When it comes to teaching in made and what should be done. When it comes to teaching in the it comes to teaching in the syllabus, the curriculum, how divided our people when it comes to reflecting accurately the experience of Black Americans . This reflecting accurately the experience of Black Americans . Of Black Americans . This is also a very interesting of Black Americans . This is also a very interesting result of Black Americans . This is also a very interesting result from of Black Americans . This is also a very interesting result from Somej Of Black Americans . This is also a i very interesting result from some of our surveys. The public feel somewhat divided about partisan divines, but this sort of reflects the general view of americans. Diversity is good for the country, but how we talk about it and address it, thats where there is some disagreement about what should and can be done. Disagreement about what should and can be done can be done. Michael, which parts of the country can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are you can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are you going can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are you going to can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are you going to look i can be done. Michael, which parts of the country are you going to look at l the country are you going to look at in particular in terms of the redistricting of constituencies . Because it cant be the same across the whole country . There will be pockets of more concern of others. Thats absolutely right. Its a tale of two thats absolutely right. Its a tale of two countries. A lot of states like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms or like pennsylvania and wisconsin had reforms or how divided government, but the reforms or how divided government, but the hotspots are going to be in these but the hotspots are going to be in these very but the hotspots are going to be in these very fast growing states in these very fast growing states in the South, particularly texas, georgia, the South, particularly texas, georgia, florida and north carolina. Single georgia, florida and north carolina. Single Party Control of the process and where single Party Control of the process and where to get the maximum benefit, and where to get the maximum benefit, you have to target. Pay attention benefit, you have to target. Pay attention to benefit, you have to target. Pay attention to the South. Benefit, you have to target. Pay attention to the South. Attention to the South. Mark, of course this attention to the South. Mark, of course this Survey Attention to the South. Mark, of course this survey was attention to the South. Mark, of course this survey was done i attention to the South. Mark, of course this survey was done in L Attention to the South. Mark, of course this survey was done in 2020. At The End of the trump administration. How much different could it be in four years . well could it be in four years . Well see. I could it be in four years . Well see i think could it be in four years . Well see. I think the could it be in four years . Well see. I think the impact could it be in four years . Well see. I think the impact of could it be in four years . Well. See. I think the impact of covid, which is taken more than 600,000 american lives, could have some impact as well on demographics. The census was completed by april one of last year, so even though this count was done in 2020, it is a snapshot of the beginning of the outbreak and the impact on the pandemic on the united states. The nation will continue to become more diverse because most of the growth for the Nation Demographically is coming from hispanics, asian americans and Black Americans. Black americans. Michael, which of the political Black Americans. Michael, which of the Political Parties Black Americans. Michael, which of the Political Parties would Black Americans. Michael, which of the Political Parties would assume | the Political Parties would assume to take advantage of that growth if it is largely asian and hispanic people pushing it . It is largely asian and hispanic people pushing it . Right now, it is democrats because people pushing it . Right now, it is democrats because there people pushing it . Right now, it is democrats because there is people pushing it . Right now, it is democrats because there is a people pushing it . Right now, it is| democrats because there is a sharp polarisation of party support, especially in the states i mentioned. Really, the census is a snapshot mentioned. Really, the census is a snapshot of mentioned. Really, the census is a snapshot of what the future will look like snapshot of what the future will look like. The Demographic Trends that are look like. The Demographic Trends that are reflected are only going to accelerate, and both parties to embrace accelerate, and both parties to embrace the future of the country rather embrace the future of the country rather than kicking the can down the road, rather than kicking the can down the road, republicans seem to want to kick the road, republicans seem to want to kick the can, but theres only so long kick the can, but theres only so long they kick the can, but theres only so long they can deny the future. At some long they can deny the future. At some point, they will be written out of existence unless they figure out how to of existence unless they figure out how to win of existence unless they figure out how to win by winning over some share how to win by winning over some share of how to win by winning over some share of latino, asian and black Voters Share of latino, asian and black voters. That future is rapidly approaching. Voters. That future is rapidly approaching voters. That future is rapidly attroachint,. ,. , ~ , voters. That future is rapidly autroachin,. ,. , ~ , approaching. This data must keep you both very busy approaching. This data must keep you both very busy. Mark approaching. This data must keep you both very busy. Mark and approaching. This data must keep you both very busy. Mark and michael, i both very busy. Mark and michael, thank you both. Encounters at the us Mexico Border are at 21 year high. Last month, there were over 212,000 incidents, which includes migrants who were either brought into custody in the us or were either deported back to their home country. Us president Joe Biden campaigned on reforming us immigration and vowed to take urgent action to undo the policies of Donald Trump. But hes most recently reinstated a Trump Era Policy allowing for fast track deportations, and has continued to urge potential migrants to stay home. Im joined now by kennji kizuka, a human Rights Attorney who is on the Mexico Side of the us Southern border. Thank you very much forjoining us. When you speak to my rickets, what are they telling you about their experiences two migrants . Can you hear us . Everything seems to have frozen. Im terribly sorry. Well frozen. Im terribly sorry. Well try and reestablish contact if we can. We can see him but cant hear him. The head of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, said detectives will re examine allegations against Prince Andrew following the launch of us civil case against him by a woman for alleged sexual abuse claims he has consistently denied. She said the force would review its position over the allegations after previously opting not to open an investigation. Im aware that currently, there is a lot more commentary in the media and an apparent civil Court Case going on in america. Its a fact, yes. And we will, of course, again, review our position. As a result of what happened. Well be looking at the position, of course we will, but at the moment, there is no investigation. The italian island of sicily may have registered the highest temperature ever recorded in europe 48. 8 degrees celsius. The average maximum temperatures for this time of year are normally around 35 degrees in sicily. Italys Health Ministry had issued Red Alerts for extreme heat in several regions, and the heatwave has led to the spread of wildfires across the South of the country. 0ur rome correspondent, mark lowen, explains. After fires and floods, a biblical heatwave. Sicily with whats believed to be the highest temperature ever recorded in europe, 48. 8 degrees. Much of Southern-europe'>Southern Europe is sweltering and its people are sweating. Translation its a strange summer but we have always had the desire to travel. Our children had to stay home all the winter because of Covid I9 lockdowns, so now were doing everything to make them happy. Red alerts are in force in 15 italian cities. Those who can try to cool off. But in this ageing country, Theres Concern about the vulnerable. Spain too is scorching. With temperatures set to hit the mid to high 40s, the shady squares are the best spots. Thermometers from the pandemic are put to other use. Its been prompted by this, an anticyclone, an area of High Pressure sat across North Africa and Southern-europe'>Southern Europe. This one is nicknamed lucifer, apt for those in its wake. And its stoking the wildfires, around 500 new Blazes Ravaging Italy Last Night the worst in the South. At least four people have died over the past week. Translation this years been difficult for us because of the intense heat. Next year, we hope to be able to start our prevention works earlier, so that we can prevent fires, especially in woods and particularly here in etna park. The firefighters are still battling to keep the flames at bay, but Man Versus Lucifer takes a superhuman effort. Mark lowen, Bbc News. Breaking news this hour, police have said there have been a number of fatalities in a serious Firearms Incident in plymouth. Several other casualties are receiving treatment following the incident in the Keyham Area of the city, Devon And Cornwall police said. The force said a critical incident had been declared, the area cordoned off, and it believes the situation is contained. Still to come. Why are experts saying America Isnt an easy place to have children . Well disucss next. Discuss. Nearly five and a half million people are on the nhs list. More than three and a half 300,000 have waited for more than a year. Research also shows that 500 700 patients have now been waiting for two years or more 5700. Hugh pym explains what the numbers mean for those still waiting for treatment. Gail is struggling to walk and needs spinal surgery. She has two collapsed discs in her neck. Shes been waiting for an operation for nearly a year and she doesnt know when it might happen. If i had a date for my surgery, theres a light at The End of the tunnel. With no date, theres no light at The End of the tunnel. It isjust a long, Dark Tunnel of Pain Medication and sofa sitting and. Thats my life. Surgeons say for gail and others waiting a long time, theres a risk that things will get worse. They may not have been urgent but they are. They become increasingly urgent the longer patients wait, and there is no alternative. These patients need an operation, so we need investment and we need to keep prioritising these patients so they dont get forgotten. The total waiting for routine treatment in England Injune was 9. 6 of the whole population. In scotland, it was 8. 2 in march, the latest available figure. In wales, it was 19. 2 in may and in Northern Ireland, nearly a quarter of the population was on a waiting list, according to march data. Hospitals are keen to get people to come in for the treatment that they need. They are also focusing on trying to reduce the backlog of those who have been waiting for a while. And then there are people out there who didnt come forward during the pandemic but who may yet require hospital care. Polls have closed in zambia in one of the most hotly contested general elections to date. There were long lines pointing to a high turnout in a showdown between president Edgar Lungu and his main rival, hakainde hichilema. The Electoral Agency says it expects to declare a winner within 72 hours. Nomsa maseko has been following todays events. An early start to make their mark. Long queues format pulling tastings as millions of zambians waited eagerly to cross their ballots. With some choosing to entertain the crowds. The much anticipated election resulted in a fight of over high Voter Turnout for the first time in the countrys history. The 16 candidates are vying, but this will be a showdown between the incumbent president and his long time rival. Both contenders are confident of an outright win. Whoever wins will have a tough task of rebuilding the Countrys Economy and reducing mounting debt. Most voters are under the age of 35, and thatis voters are under the age of 35, and that is visible here at the University Of Zambia and across many other Polling Stations around the country. They are hopeful their votes will unlock a better future. We know the economy is bad. Its crawling. What i hope for is that we have the best economy we appreciate. So we can compete with. Hahn have the best economy we appreciate. So we can compete with. Have the best economy we appreciate. So we can compete with. How do you feel first time so we can compete with. How do you feel first time voting . So we can compete with. How do you feel first time voting . Excited. Feel first time voting . Excited. Yeah, feel first time voting . Excited. Yeah. Ive feel first time voting . Excited. Yeah, ive been feel first time voting . Excited. Yeah, ive been waiting feel first time voting . Excited. Yeah, ive been waiting for i feel first time voting . Excited. | yeah, ive been waiting for this moment yeah, ive been waiting for this moment for a long time, so now were here and moment for a long time, so now were here and hoping for the very best. Political here and hoping for the very best. Political tension had been reported in the lead up to the polls. This led to the deployment of thousands of Law Enforcement Agency to monitor Polling Stations. Its hoped political rivals will accept the will of the people when results are announced in the next few days. Nomsa maseko, Bbc News. The British Government says its seriously concerned about the human Rights Situation in North West China after allegations of abuse against uyghur muslims. The Foreign Office has called it a truly harrowing picture and has imposed sanctions including Asset Freezes and Travel Bans on senior chinese officials. Beijing has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The Bbcs Community affairs correspondent, adina campbell, has been to meet one teenage Campaigner And Herfather who fled china after he was imprisoned. Ive seen them personally and them saying that they dont exist is wrong because ive met them. They say that my family living a happy life. But on the other hand, we hear that they have been sentenced for ten years, 12 years for practising religion. Thousands of miles away from their Loved Ones in china, 18 year old dilnaz and herfather, karim, are campaigning forjustice. Justice from the chinese authorities who sent karim to prison in the 1990s. They kept beating him up, burning his hand with cigarettes, hanging him with hands, like that. And he said that at The End of his imprisonment, which was six months long, he was not able to stand up. Karim fled china after serving his time in jail for national hatred and holding a protest, crimes he denies. He and his family say the Uighur Community in North West China are still at risk and continue to face brutal abuse by the authorities because of their cultural background. How do you feel about the chinese authorities . Theyre killing people, theyre torturing people in concentration camps, forcibly sterilising and raping women. We asked the chinese embassy for a response. They have previously denied all allegations of Human Rights abuses. Dilnaz and her family now live in london, but fearfor the lives of their other relatives who they havent seen in six years. They are committing Human Rights offences on a massive scale. They and other Human Rights campaigners have been holding monthly protests outside the chinese embassy. It makes me feel angry that the world is not acting up for this. I mean, Chinas Government is committing crimes. They should stop this. Karim still bears the physical scars from his time in prison. And theres emotional trauma for dilnaz, who has regular nightmares. Do you feel like an ordinary 18 year old . No, because if i was an ordinary 18 year old, i would be now living my best life. But thats not what im doing. Im trying to explore new ways to free my people sooner. Adina campbell, Bbc News. In the us, mothers took on a disproportionate share of the added Childcare Responsibilities created by the Covid I9 pandemic. Thats according to research by indiana university. Its an arrangement that has negatively impacted mothers careers, relationships and well being. Mothers Working From Home during the pandemic also reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness than fathers. And as Todays Census reveals, a declining birth rate. Experts are warning that in a post pandemic world, workplaces need to be more supportive of working mothers. What does that mean in practice . Jessica calarco is Associate Professor of sociology at indiana university. Her research focuses on inequalities in Education And Family life. Jessica, it sounds like there are a great deal of inequalities. What are the barriers, do you believe, to women having children and choosing to have more of them . {either to have more of them . Other countries to have more of them . Other countries have to have more of them . Other countries have social to have more of them . Other countries have social Safety L to have more of them . Other. Countries have social Safety Nets and the us has women. Instead of offering affordable childcare, they push women out of the workforce or try to figure out how to care on on their own. Being a Safety Net for other people, puts women and a disadvantage because no one is there to catch them when they fall. Because of the low value we put on feminized labour, women in the us disproportionally work and low ways jobs low wage. Women, and especially women and colour of colour. Especially women and colour of colour. ~. , especially women and colour of colour. ~. ,. , ~ colour. What extent do you think women are colour. What extent do you think women are trapped colour. What extent do you think women are trapped between i colour. What extent do you think women are trapped between two colour. What extent do you think women are trapped between two ideals the ideal of the Career Woman and the ideal of the perfect mother . 50. The ideal of the perfect mother . So, Mother S the ideal of the perfect mother . Srr, Mother S and the ideal of the perfect mother . Sn, Mother S and elite mothers are Mother S and elite mothers are caught between these norms. The Ideal Worker tells women they should devote all their time and energy to their careers. At the same time, mothers are told to give all their energy to their children. Their only so many hours in a day, and mothers simultaneously prioritise both children and their careers. Something has to give. In some cases, mothers gave up the number of children they wanted to have, or their career they wanted to have. It doesnt mean having fewer children is good or bad, just like having a career. But we have to think about the pressure were career. But we have to think about the pressure were putting on mothers. Were forcing them to create extra time by staying up late or waking up early. Itittihtztt create extra time by staying up late or waking up early. Or waking up early. What are the solutions . Or waking up early. What are the solutions . Are or waking up early. What are the solutions . Are they or waking up early. What are the solutions . Are they government| or waking up early. What are the solutions . Are they Government Level or Company Level . I solutions . Are they Government Level or Company Level . Or Company Level . I think we need both, but what or Company Level . I think we need both, but what we or Company Level . I think we need both, but what we really or Company Level . I think we need both, but what we really need are | both, but what we really need are structural supports that will allow women, especially mothers, to be able to have the kind of protection they need and have the same chance of a career that men do, the same chance of having the same of family arrangements. Things like affordable childcare, paid Family Leave or national health insurance, as well as higher Minimum Wage laws. As, lat as higher Minimum Wage laws. A lot to address as higher Minimum Wage laws. A lot to address. Jessica as higher Minimum Wage laws. A lot to address. Jessica calarco, thank you very much for talking to hello there. Its been pretty unsettled across the north and certainly the North West of europe for the last few weeks now and weve had temperatures around or below the seasonal average and in fact if we look at the Temperature Anomalies across the european continent, this huge contrast in temperatures below average to well above average across the mediterranean. In fact, this stifling heatwave has brought all sorts of problems from greece, the balkans, across to central Southern italy, malta, North Africa, and now into iberia. In fact for friday into the weekend, that Heat Wave will shift in towards iberia. We could be looking at temperatures close to the national record of spain for the weekend. So, this is certainly one to watch. Meanwhile further north, it stays pretty unsettled for friday. Weve got this area of low pressure moving to the north of the uk. Thats going to bring windier conditions for scotland, Northern Ireland, plenty of showers particularly Western Scotland. Some of these will be heavy. I think for england and wales though, closer to an area of High Pressure to the near continent. It should be virtually fine. I think we will see more sunshine across the Southern areas than we had on thursday, so temperatures responding. We could see 23, maybe 21t celsius. Otherwise, its the high teens for the north. Teens further north. Now, as we head on into the weekend and then, there will be a lot of dry weather around but weve got a new area of low pressure working its way slowly in from the west but its a weakening feature, and theres still some uncertainty to how much rain there will be on it and where about it will be again, high teens in the north. We could make 20 22 across Southern areas. Now, as we head on into the sunday, it looks like this area of low pressure pushes its way a little further eastwards with this weather front. So, that could introduce more cloud generally i think across the board for sunday. We could have three zones of wet weather northern scotland, Northern England, and Southern-england'>Southern England in between some good spells of sunshine. But again, some uncertainty to the detail of this. Youll have to stay tuned nearer the time. Given some sunshine, it could be quite warm across the South, temperatures of 23, maybe 21t celsius. Now, as you move out of the weekend into the start of the new week, weve got high Pressure Building in from the South-and-west'>South And West but this area of low pressure seen across the Norwegian Sea is likely to generate some showers for northern and eastern parts of the country. It will also be windier here as well and in fact, those winds will be coming down from the North West, so never a warm direction. It will actually feel fairly cool On Monday despite there being quite a bit of dry and sunny weather the further South-and-west'>South And West that you are. Those temperatures, generally, in the mid to high teens. Now, as we move into tuesday, weve got that area of low pressure again over the north sea, Higher Pressure towards the South and the west. So, actually, there could be quite a bit of dry and settled weather to come on tuesday. Fewer showers across eastern areas as the low slowly pulls away, variable cloud but quite a bit of sunshine around. Temperatures may be a degree or so up but still, this is below par for the time of year. 0ur Wind is still coming down from the North West. As we move deeper into the week, it looks like High Pressure wants to maintain its presence across the uk. Another one is building in from the South west there, but weve always got Weather Fronts never too far away from the west of the uk across The Atlantic there, but i think generally for the weekend, Higher Pressure will tend to hold on. For the week ahead, Higher Pressure will tend to hold on. Certainly, its influence will be felt across the country. So, i think many places will tend to stay dry as we move deeper into the new week. Variable cloud, some good spells of sunshine and where you get the sunshine, it could be quite warm as winds will be lighter as well. These sorts of values are closer to the seasonal average. Tonight at ten thousands troops are being sent to afghanistan to evacuate american and Uk Nationals as city after city falls to the taliban. The taliban are advancing at incredible speed with the islamist fighters now less than 100 miles from kabul. The us says its going in to help its civilians leave. This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus. As with all deployments of our troops into harms way, our commanders have the inherent right of Self Defence and any attack on them can and will be met with a forceful and an appropriate response. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled to kabul but there are fears the capital could fall in weeks. A Taliban Commander warns of more bloodshed ahead. Translation im trying to defeat | the government and theyre trying | to make me disappear. In The End we will be compelled to kill one another