Nato Supreme Commander on what the us administration could have done differently. And the us military says it now has the capability to move up to Nine Thousand people a day out of kabul but how do those people get to the airport . We will speak to a former us interpreter who is in hiding in fear for his life. Hello, is this taliban 2. 0 a kinder, more inclusive alternative to the group that for years had terrorised afghanistan . To listen to the groups first Press Conference Today in kabul, that is certainly the impression you were given. The man who appeared before the press, Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters there would be an amnesty for Everyone Whod served the coalition. There were promises to honour womens rights to allow them to work, albeit within the Interpretation'>Groups Interpretation of islamic law, and private media he said would be permitted to remain independent. The group say they want the international community to accept the change of government and invest in the country. We will speak very shortly to man who until this weekend was in charge of afghanistan Central Bank. But first heres our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. The republic has fallen, its leaders fled. Taliban rule is returning. Day by day, its fighters more visible on the streets of kabul, patrolling with us military vehicles left behind or lost by government forces. Taking on tasks to show they are in charge now, and showing the new face of afghanistan to the world. Today the first Press Conference by a man whos long been a mystery, taliban spokesman zabiola mujahit, showing his face in public for the first time making their message clear. Translation there is death in war, i we didnt kill for revenge, itjust. Happened because it was a war that we were fighting. We have given amnesty to everybody, | we want them to give us forgiveness. | and a message for anxious afghan women too. Translation there will be nothing against women in our ruling, our people accept our women are muslims, they accept islamic rules. If they continue to live according to sharia, we will be happy, they will be happy. Day by day, afghans come to terms with the taliban again, waiting not for words, but what will change in their lives. Lets see what afghanistan brings, i want to stay here, i want to fight for my students, i want to fight for our vision of afghanistan. I know things are never going to be the same any more. Itsjust. | have to be here. And so far, some surprises. Female presenters are still fronting popular Programmes'>News Programmes a talib taking her questions. But many fear it is a shiny, new show for now. Women are already taking to the streets. We exist, they shout, work, education, political participation is our right. Women make up half of afghan society, dont upset us, they tell the taliban, be our voice. With fighting finished, time for fun too, taliban style. Not the usual image of austere islamists, but it may be but a brief pause before new rules come into force. Look atjust one snapshot of how many people afghans and foreigners are fleeing as fast as possible. The evacuation from Kabul Airport proceeds ever more urgently, including britains operations. There was bound to be a moment of turmoil in that system. I think, actually, what is really impressive is that in a very, very short period we have moved forward now into something that looks stable and that we can continue to move on. The taliban are promising stability too, and a government that is different this time round. Their words have changed. Many wait to see what they really mean. Lyse doucet, bbc news. With the taliban take over complete the majority of Government Officials are now underground, fearing reprisals. And one of those is the head of afghanistans Central Bank, Ajmal Ahmady who has fled kabul. Yesterday he outlined in a Twitter Thread how things had imploded, and how shocked he was to discover on saturday while still at his desk that most of the government had already left theirs. On sunday he went to the airport, to find a number of top afghan politicians waiting for flights out of the country. After disembarking one plane he was pushed on to another as shots were fired. Ajmal ahmady is safe in an undisclosed location, which obviously were not going to share, and joins us tonight for his first televison interview. Welcome to the Programme. Thank you for being with us. I want to take you back to the situation last week. Tell me where you were and what conversations you are having and what you were trying to do as these provincial cities were falling . Thank you for having me on your Programme. I think the key point is that things progressed so rapidly that things progressed so rapidly that its difficult to even comprehend. Two fridays ago the first capitalfail and comprehend. Two fridays ago the first capital fail and during that period i was worried about our operations, Central Bank operations in different provinces and then by thursday a number of major cities now which at that point i think began to really crystallise for me what was happening and by saturday and sunday we had the gun realising this was going to spill over to couple very soon and i myself thought we had a few more days and by sunday i was to not work but had to immediately go to the Airport And Less lucky to be able to get on one transport name. Less lucky to be able to get on one transport name. What conversations did Ou Transport name. What conversations did you have transport name. What conversations did you have with transport name. What conversations did you have with the transport name. What conversations did you have with the president . Transport name. What conversations did you have with the president . I l did you have with the president . I met with him saturday which was one day before the city fell, we met to discuss the economic situation and at that point we were taking decisions related to some immediate issues, economic issues and that gives you an indication that even at that point it was not clear that by the next day the city would fall. You did not know he was going to go . No. 50 you did not know he was going to go . No,. ,. ,. , you did not know he was going to go . No. ,. , ~ 4, you did not know he was going to go . No. ,. , ~ no. So at that Point Ua taken by our no. So at that Point Ua taken by your advisers no. So at that Point Ua taken by your advisers to no. So at that Point Ua taken by your advisers to the no. So at that Point Ua taken by your advisers to the airport no. So at that Point Ua taken by your advisers to the Airport And L no. So at that Point Ua taken byj your advisers to the airport and i dont really want to delve into what happened next but did you feel that you had a responsibility to stay . Absolutely, thats why i was at my desk until Sunday Afternoon and that was only hours before the taliban came and took over. I stayed as long as possible and tear i felt a threat to my immediate life and at that point i left for the airport and i think at that point i realised most others had already left where were in the process of eating. In others had already left where were in the process of eating. In the process of eating. In your Twitter Thread, in the process of eating. In your Twitter Thread, you in the process of eating. In your Twitter Thread, you tantalize in the process of eating. In your Twitter Thread, you tantalize us| Twitter Thread, you tantalize us with your theory, your suspicions on why things imploded so quickly. Why do you think provincial city after provincial city felt like dominoes within the space of a week . I did not work on within the space of a week . I did not work on the within the space of a week . I did not work on the military within the space of a week . I C C not work on the military side so i wont have a clear answer, i can only raise the concerns or suspicions that he heard expressed from top leaders and raise questions in my mind as to why they felt fair. Mr biden expressed that there was a force of 300,000 with significant Hardware And Air force and those capabilities where there and those capabilities where there and The Way that the pipe pursued or was pursued was that there were significant faking in some areas but most provincial capitals did not have a large battle, they simply knit negotiated and transferred over similar to what happened in kabul during the last week. So there is some issues that i think people are concerned about and some questions that need to be raised. That need to be raised. Which are white . Do that need to be raised. Which are white . Do you that need to be raised. Which are white . Do you think that need to be raised. Which are white . Do you think there that need to be raised. Which are white . Do you think there are white . Do you think there are governors who were corrupt . Do you think there are commanders who were corrupt . Think there are commanders who were Corru T . , think there are commanders who were Corru T . ,. , , think there are commanders who were corrut . ,. , , think there are commanders who were corrut . , , , corrupt . That invariably is true but i am corrupt . That invariably is true but i am talking corrupt . That invariably is true but i am talking about corrupt . That invariably is true but i am talking about something corrupt . That invariably is true but i am talking about Something Else | i am talking about Something Else which is for example there are questions around the Secret Annex to the Negotiating Agreement and how thatis the Negotiating Agreement and how that is meant the taliban. The Secret Annex is had never been disclosed to anyone. What had been disclosed. There were comments by senior military officials that said that they are commanders or the military Chain Of Command informed than to believe the fights, whether thats true or not i do not know. I can only share. Thats true or not i do not know. I can only share thats true or not i do not know. I can only share. You are the man who knows how can only share. You are the man who knows how much can only share. You are the man who knows how much money can only share. You are the man who knows how much money varies can only share. You are the man who knows how much money varies in can only share. You are the Man Whoj knows how much money varies in the country, what the position of the bank is, what the immediate economic situation is in the country. There have been Assurances Today from the taliban that former officials can return with amnesty to theirjobs. Do you feel reassured . Would you go back to yourjob . I do you feel reassured . Would you go back to yourjob . Back to your ob . I would not end the back to yourjob . I would not end the reason is back to yourjob . I would not end the reason is the back to yourjob . I would not end the reason is the following. Back to yourjob . I would not end the reason is the following. I back to yourjob . I would not end | the reason is the following. I think during the time i spent there, if there was an amnesty. He might have an official who might provide amnesty but i think during the turmoil and during the Transition Period there is a lot of uncertainty and is a lot of enemies i made during the process what im trying to implement reforms. So you dont know what the outcome will be in that process. Know what the outcome will be in that process know what the outcome will be in that rocess. ,. ,. ,. , ~ that process. Have they come looking for ou . That process. Have they come looking for you . Yes that process. Have they come looking for you . Yes so that process. Have they come looking for you . Yes. So they that process. Have they come looking for you . Yes. So they are that process. Have they come looking for you . Yes. So they are knocking i for you . Yes. So they are knocking on doors where for you . Yes. So they are knocking on doors where you for you . Yes. So they are knocking on doors where you previously on doors where you previously resided . Yes. On doors where you previously resided . Yes. ~. ,. ,. , resided . Yes. What is the situation in the country resided . Yes. What is the situation in the country as resided . Yes. What is the situation in the country as regards resided . Yes. What is the situation in the country as regards the in the country as regards the financial situation . What is the taliban inheriting today . The economic taliban inheriting today . Iie economic Situation Taliban inheriting today . Iie economic situation in taliban inheriting today . Ii2 economic situation in the country was quite good. We had significant reserves and the currency was stable and the banks were in a stable situation as well. The issue is now that its likely that the Us Government will freeze the international reserves that we have on paper and the taliban government will not be able to utilise those. Without those reserves, its likely that the currency is going to significantly decline which will cause a spike in inflation and leave to increase Poverty Levels at the same time that we have a humanitarian crisis in afghanistan and put those together. Its a challenging environment. Germany is the first extended challenging environment. Germany is the first extended state challenging environment. Germany is the first extended State Aid the first extended State Aid tonight. Presumably the others will tie their State A with the coming days. If that State Aid dries up, what will The Cost Of Living happened to The Cost Of Living in afghanistan in the coming weeks . It will decline significantly. Afghanistan runs a large Trade Deficit which was financed by those flows and windows closed began to decline, again, it will lead to that cycle where Currency Declines and inflation comes in and that they lead to increased poverty for the population. 50. Lead to increased poverty for the Population Lead to increased poverty for the population. So, you are in hiding toniuht, population. So, you are in hiding tonight, presumably population. So, you are in hiding tonight, presumably with population. So, you are in hiding i tonight, presumably with members population. So, you are in hiding tonight, presumably with members of yourfamily. Last week tonight, presumably with members of your family. Last week you were in the office of the Central Bank, what now . What has your life become . I am ha to be now . What has your life become . I am happy to be with now . What has your life become . I n happy to be with my family. And im spending time with them at this point. Spending time with them at this oint. ,. ,. , spending time with them at this oint. i. ,. , i. Point. Are you in fear of your life . No. What point. Are you in fear of your life . No what do point. Are you in fear of your life . No. What do you point. Are you in fear of your life . No. What do you think point. Are you in fear of your life . No. What do you think will point. Are you in fear of your life . | no. What do you think will become point. Are you in fear of your life . I no. What do you think will become of our no. What do you think will become of your country . No. What do you think will become of your country . Unfortunately no. What do you think will become of your country . Unfortunately the your country . Unfortunately the economic situation your country . Unfortunately the economic situation is your country . Unfortunately the economic situation is going your country . Unfortunately the economic situation is going to l economic situation is going to decline. Its almost a certainty that the aide will decline and its a certainty that the assets will be frozen and that will lead to a deterioration into macro macroeconomic environment so i hope that the taliban do not govern as they did in The 90s and we have not seen and implementation of that and it will be a challenge for them now that they have taken over to be able to govern effectively and be able to manage these policies and have made this Amnesty Proposal but its likely that trained professionals will believing and thats going to cause a decline in the durability to govern and create positive economiC Change for citizens so unfortunately we dont have a positive view moving forward at this time. President biden has made it clear he has no regrets whatsoever about his decision to withdraw us troops from afghanistan, and like the Nato Secretary general he lays the blame for the deteriotating situation on the back of afghan leaders. Speaking yesterday the president said the us cannot stay for ever, and should now be focusing on a Terror Threat that since 9 11 has matastesised outside the country. I have argued for many years that our mission should be focused on counterterrorism, not Counterinsurgency Or Nation building. That is why i opposed the surge when i was proposed in 2009 when i was vice president. And that is why as president i am adamant we focus on the threats we face today in 2021, not yesterdays threats. Today the pentagon told us they have now the capability to move up to 9,000 people a day out of kabul and, as they secure the hamid karzai airport, they hope some commercial flights will soon resume. President bidens critics says its too little to late, and that a plan to look after those had served alongside us forces should have been in place months ago. Much of Todays Press and commentary will make grim reading for the White House, with many questioning bidens handling of the issue of afghanistan. Those afghan civilians in hiding, will have to somehow get themselves to the terminal. A risk that many are not prepared to take, despite a pledge that came from the Taliban Today that they would guarantee Safe Passage to the airport for anyone who wants to go. One of the sharpest critics of the president s Evacuation Plan is matt zeller. He is a veteran of the Afghanistan War and Co Founder of the charity No One left behind. So, how convinced are the people he is talking to, by the assurances they are getting . Sheer terror, No One is reassuring, they are panicked that they will not get on one of the flights and let me be clear that is the people in kabul, for everyone else outside of kabul, they are starting to resign themselves to the fact that they are going to die. It would seem at the moment that the offer of Military Assistance only extends to the perimeter of the airfield and i imagine giving the chaos that there is in at the moment its difficult to get there and you have to go through a taliban time to get to the Airport Building and in doing so you would almost have to admit in the eyes of the taliban that you were a collaborator, who will do that . It is worse, the taliban are searching peoples phones right now i if they have any English Conversations or documents they are receiving their phones which is a big deal because thats how we are communicating with people in afghanistan to tell them to get out is they are being sent E Mails by the State Department and its the only way people can communicate in this situation. The taliban have a checkpoint 100 metres from us and Uk Forces and those forces have not been given the order to do anything other than securing that airfield and they had to stand and watch at the taliban unfortunately implement their own brutalform ofjustice. You are emotionally attached to it. I have heard other us veterans talking today who feel really severely that they feel the guilt and betrayal. These are our people. For your british audience, when your grandparents so bravely went to dunkirk and pulled people off the beach, you think they were asking the people as they got on the boats, are you from france, are you a brit . No, theyjust said get on we will take you to safety because they knew people being left behind will be left behind to the nazis. The afghan we leave we are leaving to our modern Day Version of the nazis. Can i ask you one last question about the president and the decision hes taken and obviously he went to his justifications for pulling out last night. He had a son who served in iraq. His late son, do you think it was his Sons Experience and his experience as a father of a veteran serving on the pain that the family went through that is behind the decision he has taken on the stubbornness he has shown over those decisions in afghanistan . Im answering this now as a father. I have a daughter. Who i love beyond description. And i never want her to serve in uniform. I want her to break nine generations of my Familys Tradition and not be the tenth to go and serve because war is important and i dont want to have to pass that onto my children and i can only imagine what someone like President Biden who already had to bury his own children before and had to do it again later in life, no parent should ever outlive their child but for him to have to send that child who he loves off to a War Zone and be up every night worrying about them and i know what it did to my parents so i can understand his absolute determination to never have to put another parent through that amount of worry but i cannot speak for his son but i know how veterans feel and none of us like what we see, none of us wanted it to be this way, we wanted to save these people and they stood shoulder to shoulder with us for over 20 years because they wanted to have what i had which was their wartime ally and in my case may afghan interpreter standing next to me and back to watching my back and killing two taliban fighters who were about to kill me. Im only sitting here talking to you because of one of them. This is the type of people we are trying to save right now and we owe them everything and be should be moving stay with us on bbc news, still to come for viewers on bbc World News, we are going to head to a break. But when we come back, we will speak to one of those former us interpreters who shot these images. Hes in hiding and desperate to get out of kabul. In The Uk, there were 26,852 new Coronavirus Infections recorded in the latest 24 Hour Period and another 170 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. Thats the highest number of deaths since march. For more, heres our Health Editor is hugh pym. We should remember that its a very sad figure for families involved and it does reflect cases which were first reported in mid to latejuly four weeks or so ago and back then the number of daily reported cases was above 20,000 and its now come down to between 20 30,000 and seems to have settled there, so the big surge or new wave infections which somewhere predicting just has not happened but the case remain relatively, any higher than this time last year and said to me a reminder that the virus is still out there and we should also note that report to cases on tuesday can be higher because of the latest reporting over the weekend. It has already become one of the iconic pictures of the last few days hundreds of afghans being flown to safety by us forces. But there are of Course Thousands who helped and supported american troops during their 20 years in afghanistan who still remain behind. We are going to speak to an afghan civilian who worked as a translator for us forces for years, were not identifying him for obvious reasons, and hejoins us on the phone. Thank you for being with us. Thank you very much. Tell thank you for being with us. Thank you very much you very much. Tell me about your situation right you very much. Tell me about your situation right now. You very much. Tell me about your situation right now. I you very much. Tell me about your situation right now. I dont you very much. Tell me about your situation right now. I dont Want I Situation right now. I dont want you to go into where you are but i want you to tell me what your life has become. Want you to tell me what your life has become want you to tell me what your life has become. ,. ,. ,. , has become. Nothing is really good. I am not has become. Nothing is really good. I am not in has become. Nothing is really good. I am not in at has become. Nothing is really good. I am not in at that has become. Nothing is really good. I am not in at that situation has become. Nothing is really good. I am not in at that situation right i am not in at that situation right now. I am scared. I am now hiding somewhere in kabul. Yesterday i went to the airport and i saw the people and i was scared for them. They would have to search my pockets and Cell Phone and i was scared they would find my documentations so i went to the airport and at the gate the taliban were running the gate so there were too many people in the taliban were shooting and pushing for People Self i fell down and when i was running ifell down so for People Self i fell down and when i was running i fell down so the people were running across and over me so i endured on my head and my arms got scratched when i was trying to cross the wall. There was no other way to get into the airport. How many people or how many of you were trying to get out . It how many people or how many of you were trying to get out . Were trying to get out . It was ust me. If i get were trying to get out . It was ust me. If i get them i were trying to get out . It was ust me. If i get them to i were trying to get out . It was ust me. If i get them to the i were trying to get out . It wasjust me. If i get them to the airport, l were trying to get out . It wasjust| me. If i get them to the airport, so i can call my family so they can join me at the airport. You i can call my family so they can join me at the airport. You have a letter of recommendation join me at the airport. You have a letter of recommendation from i join me at the airport. You have a L Letter of recommendation from the State Department . I got letter of recommendation from the State Department . State department . I got many recommendations. State department . I got many recommendations. Lots State Department . I got many recommendations. Lots of recommendations. Lots of documentations and i have everything but. ,. ,. ,. , but. You are entitled to get on one of these but. You are entitled to get on one of these flights but. You are entitled to get on one of these flights but but. You are entitled to get on one of these flights but you but. You are entitled to get on i one of these flights but you cannot get to the runway . Ida. One of these flights but you cannot get to the runway . Get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get on get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get on the get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get on the flight. Get to the runway . No, i was not entitled to get on the flight. I i entitled to get on the flight. I was, i went to hope to get a flight. They did not give me a letter because i am terminated for no reason. He said everything and he has been helping people like me for a while but things are really bad and the rules are really bad, i did nothing wrong. They did not give me an explanation so theyjust terminated me and left me up it has been several years and they have been several years and they have been fired from myjob and had been terminated and right now my life is in the hands of the taliban. If they find my location theyre going to kill me, they are going to cut my head off because of my work with the Us Government. Has head off because of my work with the Us Government Us Government. Has the taliban already called Us Government. Has the taliban already called your Us Government. Has the taliban already called your address . I Us Government. Has the taliban already called your address . So | Us Government. Has the taliban | already called your address . So i Us Government. Has the taliban already called your address . So i am chanauin already called your address . So i am changing my already called your address . So i am changing my location already called your address . So i am changing my location every already called your address . So i am changing my location every ten changing my location every ten minutes, 20 minutes, every half an hour so they cannot find me. So you are not persuaded hour so they cannot find me. So you are not persuaded by hour so they cannot find me. So you are not persuaded by the are not persuaded by the reassurances that the taliban have given tonight that anybody who wants to leave can have Safe Passage to the airport . 50 to leave can have Safe Passage to the airport . The airport . So right nowl am hidin the airport . So right nowl am hiding somewhere the airport . So right nowl am hiding somewhere in the airport . So right nowl am hiding somewhere in kabul. The airport . So right nowl am hiding somewhere in kabul so| the airport . So right now i am| hiding somewhere in kabul so i the airport . So right now i am hiding somewhere in kabul so i did not try to go to the airport because the taliban have too many checkpoints on The Way and they are searching the Cell Phones to find peoples documentations to kill them. So right now my situation is not good. I am scared, so right now my situation is not good. Iam scared, my so right now my situation is not good. I am scared, my kids are scared, my wife is scared. Were in a bad situation right now. He scared, my wife is scared. Were in a bad situation right now. A bad situation right now. He will have to be a bad situation right now. He will have to be big a bad situation right now. He will have to be big bear. A bad situation right now. He will have to be big bear. Thank a bad situation right now. He will have to be big bear. Thank you. A bad situation right now. He willl have to be big bear. Thank you for talking to les. We will send you our best wishes. Hello there. When The Sun does come out, it makes a big difference to the feel of the day, as it should do, really, at this time of the year after all, it is august. And we had a fair bit of sunshine across scotland today, and that lifted temperatures in perth, across to dundee, up to around 23 celsius. But here in kent, it was various shades of grey, really. Gravesend temperatures in the afternoon were around 16 celsius. Now, weve got a blanket of cloud around overnight across much of the country. It will lower onto the hills, so some Mist And Murk and some pockets of drizzle here and there again as that cloud thickens up. Temperatures, 12 14 celsius, much as they were last night. A bit of rain for the Northern Isles heading towards the far north of mainland scotland. The rest of scotland should see the Cloud Thinning and breaking and some sunshine coming through. Elsewhere, after that dull start, we should see the Cloud Lifting and thinning. Many places dry in the afternoon and brighter as well, and with more brightness, and perhaps even some sunshine here and there, those temperatures will more widely hit 20 21 celsius. No doubt one or two places, especially around some Western Hills, could stay a little bit damp through the day and chilly, too. As we head to thursday, we look to the atlantic to see more Thickening Cloud coming in. That first Weather Front there will bring some patchy and mostly light rain, i think, into Northern Ireland across wales, some Western Parts of england. Cant rule out one or two spots of rain further east as well, but many places should be dry, a fair bit of cloud once again, so those temperatures still struggling to around 17 21 celsius in the afternoon. By The End of the week, were looking at lowering Pressure Heading towards Western Parts of The Uk. That will spin this Weather Front into Northern Ireland, mainly affecting Northern Ireland to bring some rain here into Southern Ireland as well. Ahead of that, we Cant Rule out one or two spots of rain, but on the whole, a lot of dry weather on friday, probably a lot of cloud, but im hopeful it will brighten up more and a few more breaks will come in across parts of england and wales, lifting temperatures up to 23 celsius. So, a little bit warmer in some areas by that time we get to friday. Into the first half of the weekend, ahead of that rain, it could get very warm, actually, across parts of the midlands and particularly in the southeast of england, 26 celsius is possible. 0nly briefly, mind you, because this Weather Front will take the rain and an area of low pressure across england and wales On Sunday, and that rain actually could be heavy in places. This is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in The Uk and around the world. The talibans leaders arrive in kabul, ready to take control promising a different, more inclusive style of government. The former head of the afghan Central Bank who left his desk in kabul On Sunday has told this Programme that told this Programme despite taliban assurances about that despite taliban assurances about amnesty, he will not be returning. Theres a lot of enemies i made during the process while im trying to implement reforms. Joe biden is unprepentant about his decision to withdraw from afghanistan, but at home, the criticism is mostly around his handling of the withdrawal. We speak to a former Nato Supreme Commander on what could have been done differently. And in haiti, the work to reach those devestated by last Weeks Earthquake is further complicated by flooding and heavy rainfall brought by tropical Storm Grace. So what to do about the taliban . After two decades trying to destroy the group, Western Powers must now decide whether or not to deal with the group. The taliban themselves say they want international recognition, a marked difference from the more draconian regime of the late 1990s. Russia, china, turkey have all welcomed the change in tone. Perhaps predictably. But tonight, the germans said they will be suspending their State Aid to afghanistan. Uk prime Minister Borisjohnson has already warned the taliban that its legitimacy to govern will depend on its commitment to human rights. And much of that will depend on the groups� Interpretation of islamic law. Lets bring in admiraljames stavridis, who is a former Supreme Allied Commander at nato. He was deeply involved in the war in afghanistan for many years. Admiral, good to have you back on the Programme. I know you were ready to talk to us a few minutes ago so you may well have heard the former us afghan interpreter who was stuck there in kabul, he has recommendations from the military and he cant get to the runway. How will the us military evacuate people like him . Its will the us military evacuate people like him . � , will the us military evacuate people like him . � ,. ,. , like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats a like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats a pretty like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats a pretty slim like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats a pretty slim read i like him . Its up to the taliban, and thats a pretty slim read to | and thats a pretty slim read to depend upon. Clearly at this point, the us military has control of a tiny Postage Stamp which is kabul international airport. We gave up a Bog Room, which was a big defendable base. We dont really have the means to go out to the countryside and collect these people. The only way they will get on a flight is if the taliban decide to let them come to the airport. Thats actually not as preposterous as it sounds and if you consider that from the taliban perspective, other than a few high level officials, they may want to get rid of all those who aided and supported. So this will be an interesting first test, if you will, of the talibans intentions. It didnt have to be this way, did it . I Knowjoe Biden Set out his justifications last night, but the Point Everyone is saying that he made his decision in april, there was months between that and now to put a proper plan in place. It could have been so much different. Absolutely correct. As i mentioned a moment ago, the failure to hold onto Bog Room will come back to haunt us significantly. Secondly to your point, we couldve started this a lot earlier and believe me, there were many voices calling for that. Thirdly, at The End of the day, we were stunned at the speed with which the taliban mounted this lightning offensive. You have to give them credit for that, as well as condemn the lack of Will And Leadership on the lack of Will And Leadership on the part of the afghan security forces, as well as our failure to have the foresight to see it coming. All of those frankly are in the too bad category at this point. If were going to get these people out, we need to start by clearing out everybody inside the airport and frankly, we need them to go to the taliban and say, let the people go who worked with us. It is in both our interests, its the right way to start your redeem. Our interests, its the right way to start your redeem. Theres news out ofthe start your redeem. Theres news out of the white start your redeem. Theres news out of the White House start your redeem. Theres news out of the white House Tonight start your redeem. Theres news out of the white House Tonight that start your redeem. Theres news out of the white House Tonight that Joe L of the white House Tonight Thatjoe Biden has not spoken any World Leader since the fall of kabul which i would say is astonishing, except its not because this is the New Reality in washington. So much for allies. New reality in washington. So much forallies. I New Reality in washington. So much for allies. ,. ,. , � , for allies. I hate to say thats true based for allies. I hate to say thats true based on for allies. I hate to say thats true based on simply for allies. I hate to say thats i true based on simply this event. For allies. I hate to say thats true based on simply this event. And lets face it, President Biden has spoken to many Heads Of State in governments since taking over, hes joined the paris claimant accords, hes engaging with the European Union and The Uk and others on the iran Peace Deal theres plenty of engagement going on. But on this particular issue, you are correct, and i would say that this is a foreshadowing of a difficulty for the united states. In other per words, we have a tacticaL Challenge in front of us getting our people out of afghanistan, but the strategic plan will be how we work with our allies, partners and friends, whether they will depend on us those are big challenges ahead and the president needs to be talking to our allies very soon. And talking to our allies very soon. And that poses. Talking to our allies very soon. And that poses, does talking to our allies very soon. And that poses, does this not and you are a former Nato Commander real questions for The Uk and the alliance. If the us is unwilling to act and reluctant to use its military power, which is seemingly is, then The Uk and others will have to look at their own capabilities and reassess their own safety, wont they . And reassess their own safety, wont the . ,. ,. ,. , and reassess their own safety, wont the . , � , they . They will up to a point. Lets reflect on the they . They will up to a point. Lets reflect on the fact they . They will up to a point. Lets reflect on the fact that they . They will up to a point. Lets reflect on the fact that for reflect on the fact that for example, the united states is building a group, a coalition to face china. In your own Aircraft Carrier by The Way, congratulations on the queen elizabeth, her main deployment is in the south China Sea at the moment. So i think therell be other opportunities the Western Powers to work together, like nato, The Uk, the eu, japan, others in asia, but eventually india will be an important part. So broadly speaking, working together will matter a great deal from this point forward. Whats happening in front of our eyes at Kabul Airport is not a good harbinger. Kabul airport is not a good harbinger Kabul Airport is not a good harbinaer. ,. ,. , harbinger. You and i have spoken to. Ether harbinger. You and i have spoken together before harbinger. You and i have spoken together before about harbinger. You and i have spoken together before about the harbinger. You and i have spokenl together before about the ongoing Challenge Now of Gathering Intelligence on top of terrorist threat. Alqaeda is in place in 16 provinces in afghanistan, and clearly they will be resurgent. The president said yesterday that the threat has metastasized what did he mean by that, and how has our ability to respond to that changed since 9 11 . ~. ,. ,. , since 9 11 . What he means by a metastasized, since 9 11 . What he means by a metastasized, using since 9 11 . What he means by a metastasized, using a since 9 11 . What he means by a metastasized, using a medicall since 9 11 . What he means by a i metastasized, using a medicalterm metastasized, using a medical term from the horrors of cancer, is the plea that radical islam is popping up plea that radical islam is popping up in more and more places globally. In east africa, ill show bob. In nigeria, boko haram. In the philippines, we see it in indonesia. But we need to make sure we realise its still in afghanistan, as you correctly point out. And ill tell you Whos Job just got immeasurably tougher the director of the cia, my good Friend Bill burns. Hell be challenged with creating some sort of Intelligence Tripwire that allows us to know whether or not alqaeda is back in bed with the taliban, whether is is taking root there as well. So we have work to do in afghanistan thatll be much more difficult now that weve left, but we also have global work to do, as i mentioned in other places. Admiral, Alwa S mentioned in other places. Admiral, always great mentioned in other places. Admiral, always great to mentioned in other places. Admiral, always great to get mentioned in other places. Admiral, always great to get your mentioned in other places. Admiral, always great to get your thoughts, l always great to get your thoughts, thank you for being on the Programme. Mr; thank you for being on the Programme thank you for being on the i Programme. Weve thank you for being on the Programme. Weve heard Programme. My pleasure. Weve heard some of the fierce Programme. My pleasure. Weve heard some of the fierce debate Programme. My pleasure. Weve heard some of the fierce debate in Programme. My pleasure. Weve heard some of the fierce debate in the Programme. My pleasure. Weve heard some of the fierce debate in the us i some of the fierce debate in the us as to where things went wrong in afghanistan. In the united states, it is a small but significant section of the us population that has borne the burden of the war, and they of course are the military families. Aleem maqbool reports from hookstown, in pennsylvania. PatriotiC Country music plays its a Procession In Rural Western Pennsylvania to honour an american soldier killed in a very different world one of more than 2,500 us military lives lost in afghanistan in the past 20 years. 25 year old Staff Sergeant Dylan elchin was killed by a Roadside Bomb nearly three years ago, but the sense of loss is still overwhelming for his family. Though the town is paying tribute now to its lost son, with the renaming of a post office. It is very wonderful to see dylan honoured. He sacrificed everything for our country and i believe that we should all be honouring our military more and realise what they do for, not only the united states of america, but for the entire world. But as was referred to even during the Tribute Ceremony for dylan, this was all taking place with a backdrop of a huge amount of criticism of the us, and of the fall of kabul to the taliban. Is it difficult to understand what it was all for, given that the very people that dylan was fighting against are now left in charge of afghanistan . Dylan, at that given moment, when he had to follow his orders, to go accomplish his mission back in november 2018, he did everything that was asked of him, and then some. Regardless of what has happened during this past week and in the past month, i know that dylan did everything right. As i have personally suffered the loss of my own brother who also died. And for the chaplain here, who himself served in afghanistan like his brother, joseph, who was killed, how hard has it been to watch the events of recent days . It has been difficult. You always want to know that what youre doing has Purpose And Meaning, but Purpose And Meaning doesnt always come in victory, i believe. Sometimes it comes in the sacrifice, in the experience of it. Are we better off, is the country better off, are they better off . Its hard to say. There are profound questions being grappled with, and a stark contrast to the clear conviction of this nation when the war began two decades ago. Aleem maqbool, bbc news, in hookstown, pennsylvania. So many mixed emotions for the veterans of the war in afghanistan. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come a glimpse of Deep Space as weve never seen it before. Astronomers learn more abouth the Birth And Destruction of the stars. New Data Shows Uk Job vacancies exceeded A Million last month a record high. Wage growth also accelerated rapidly, as the Labour Market recovers from the pandemic. Heres our Economics Editor faisal islam. In kent, the fruits of economic recovery from the pandemic. Here, the fruits of economic recovery from the pandemic. A huge backlog of building work, demand through the Roof But Spencer cant find the workers to fix them. Definitely a major shortage of personnel. Its across the board labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers. How many applicants are you getting . To these works . Yeah. None. None . None. Todays Job Numbers show joblessness at 4. 7 down again in the three months tojune, well below its Pandemic Peak last autumn. Vacancies have never been higher at 953,000 in the quarter, or over One Million in the single month ofjuly. By The End ofjune, the latest figures show there were 1. 9 million jobs still on furlough. 0n the streets here, the High Street is returning to life, but not quite as normal these vacancy notices, signs of our times as employers struggle to keep up with demand returning, but without the same number of workers, after a combination of the pandemic and new Post Brexit restrictions on european workers. So you have a lack of candidate movement, a lot of Eu Records that went home during the pandemic, and actually, its really difficult to get back if you want to. And the Skill Shortages here, going back to a lack of apprenticeships from a long time ago that havent been coming through, and its almost like the pandemic has accelerated a problem that was already underlying. For now, not all the Vacancies Match where the jobless are nor their skills, but for those workers with in demand skills such as here in construction, wages are starting to rise. Faisal islam, bbc news. As the taliban swept into kabul On Sunday, the leaders in pakistan could hardly disguise their schedenfreude. Prime minister Imran Khan said the afghan people had broken the shackles of slavery. But beyond the triumphalism at The Way the us mission ended, there could yet be problems ahead for pakistan. Lets bring in Husain Haqqani he is a former Pakistan Ambassador to the the united states, now a senior Fellow And Director for south and Central Asia at the hudson institute. Ambassador, good to have you with us. There is a rather paradoxical attitude in pakistan towards afghanistan. 0n the one hand, they were an ally on the war on terror, but there were also elements in afghanistan supporting the is insurgency. So do they still have some Control Over the taliban, and Candidate Shape what afghanistan becomes . ~ ,. Candidate shape what afghanistan becomes . W ,. , , becomes . Pakistan has consistently said it has no becomes . Pakistan has consistently said it has no control becomes . Pakistan has consistently said it has no Control Over becomes . Pakistan has consistently said it has no Control Over the i said it has no Control Over the taliban. The international community said that pakistan supports the taliban, pakistan denied it. But the triumphalism we see coming out of islamabad seems to indicate that they actually did want the taliban to succeed, even though they want to maintain a distance from anything that the taliban do. So i do not know whether they will be able to control the taliban and, very frankly, why should the Telegram Listen to anybody in their moment of triumph . I listen to anybody in their moment of triumh . , � ~. , listen to anybody in their moment of triumh . ~. , triumph . I dont know if you watched the Ress Triumph . I dont know if you watched the Press Conference triumph . I dont know if you watched the Press Conference Today, triumph . I dont know if you watched the Press Conference Today, its i the Press Conference Today, its very different than what we got from the taliban in the 1990s, its a much Slicker Commerce Department that works for the taliban now. I came away from it thinking that the questions left unanswered really depend on the Interpretation'>Groups Interpretation of sharia. And i wonder if they will look to some of the more Conservative Parties in pakistan for the Interpretation. Thea;r Conservative Parties in pakistan for the Interpretation. The Interpretation. They may, but its equally the Interpretation. They may, but its equally possible the Interpretation. They may, but its equally possible they the Interpretation. They may, but its equally possible they will the Interpretation. They may, butj its equally possible they will not. The fact remains that the taliban are a militant group, whereas the religious groups in taliban so far have not been violent. And furthermore, the taliban have. His Interpretations and he was the previous head of the taliban islamiC Counsel, or religious counsel that will be the one that will prevail and matter. Lastly, in a situation like afghanistans, what they think will be more important than what the taliban spokesperson says. Lastly, let me say that the gentleman speaking on behalf of the taliban are the slickest of the lot, and they are the ones who spoke to The Americans. Right now, their biggest concern is that The Americans and nato dont come back because, as far as theyre concerned, they are emirate was doing perfectly fine and 2001 until the foreign powers came. So they dont want the foreign powers to come and they are saying the right things on television. Last time, they broke televisions, remember . So its only a matter of time where we will find out whether there worst instincts will prevail. But what is clear is that their best statements will not. If but what is clear is that their best statements will not. Statements will not. If that does flow from the statements will not. If that does flow from the year, statements will not. If that does flow from the year, as statements will not. If that does flow from the year, as you i statements will not. If that does flow from the year, as you say, l statements will not. If that does i flow from the year, as you say, what is his attitude towards women being in the media, working in the office, to those who will have helped the coalition . Whats his attitude, what has it traditionally been . Since coalition . Whats his attitude, what has it traditionally been . Has it traditionally been . Since the socalled moderate has it traditionally been . Since the socalled moderate taliban has it traditionally been . Since the | socalled moderate taliban showed has it traditionally been . Since the socalled moderate taliban showed up so called moderate taliban showed up in doha offer their conversation with The American and the image of the taliban being a new version of taliban started being made over in the national media international media, theyve said everything will be in accordance with islam. In the past, he supported the harsh Judgment And Treatment of women that came from the talibans founder. I think that that will not change. There may be some modifications in big cities, because after all a new generation of afghans has come about, and the world is watching every little event, people can record everything on a telephone. But i dont think at the Core Beliefs have changed. In any case, who does change their Core Beliefs . We havent seen the junta in myanmar change its Core Beliefs, and we are seeing the Communist Party Of China not having changed its Core Beliefs on certain matters. fix, not having changed its Core Beliefs on certain matters. On certain matters. A sober assessment. On certain matters. A sober assessment. Thank on certain matters. A sober assessment. Thank you on certain matters. A sober assessment. Thank you for| on certain matters. A sober assessment. Thank you for being on certain matters. A sober assessment. Thank you for being with us. The tropical Storm Grace has been severely hampering the efforts to help survivors of saturdays powerful earthquake in haiti. The un estimates that more than half A Million children now have limited access to shelter, safe water and food. The bbc� s James Clayton reports from haiti. What is your assessment of the situation on the ground . I know a lot of people have been out of the buildings out of fear of the aftershocks . Buildings out of fear of the aftershocks . ~ ,. ,. ,. , aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon. Indeed, aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon. Indeed, and aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon. Indeed, and a aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon. Indeed, and a lot. Aftershocks . Absolutely, good| afternoon. Indeed, and a lot of aftershocks . Absolutely, good afternoon. Indeed, and a lot of the building, they left after the earthquake. We are still assessing the consequences of this storm. It was still raining two hours ago, in a stream out on the West Side of the Island West Side of the island. So its hard to assess whats going on. We fear landslides and the River Flood Supply ideally haiti doesnt have the Info Structure to deal with this, ou have the Info Structure to deal with this. You never have the Info Structure to deal with this, you never recovered from the 22 and this, you never recovered from the 22 and 2010 this, you never recovered from the 22 and 2010 earthquake. What you think is needed . The 22 and 2010 earthquake. What you think is needed . Think is needed . The most emergencies think is needed . The most emergencies are think is needed . The most emergencies are over think is needed . The most emergencies are over because think is needed . The most emergencies are over because people who survived the earthquake have been rescued, the majority of them, im afraid there are a few left under the building which collapsed. For the storm for sure, around Water And Sanitation thats the biggest Challenge Now. Do and sanitation thats the biggest Challenge Now. Challenge now. Do you fear that, with all the Challenge Now. Do you fear that, with all the Focus Challenge now. Do you fear that, with all the Focus And Challenge now. Do you fear that, with all the Focus And Attention L Challenge now. Do you fear that, l with all the Focus And Attention on afghanistan at the moment, a country like haiti thats been through so much we are only three weeks away from the assassination of the haitian president do you think thats being Forgotten by the community . Thats being Forgotten by the community . Thats being Forgotten by the communi 7�. , , community . Im afraid yes. In the last month. Community . Im afraid yes. In the last month, there community . Im afraid yes. In the last month, there was community . Im afraid yes. In the last month, there was great last month, there was great attention on what was happening with regards to violence, because the last month has been quite challenging here, and already there is not so much information and attention. And now, because of the assassination of the president and because of the earthquake, theres more attention. So indeed, we fear we will be Forgotten. It more attention. So indeed, we fear we will be Forgotten. We will be Forgotten. It didnt work well in the aftermath we will be Forgotten. It didnt work well in the aftermath of we will be Forgotten. It didnt work well in the aftermath of 2010, we will be Forgotten. It didnt work. Well in the aftermath of 2010, there was so much help that came from the international community. Do you think there is a collective will to do it differently . Have they learned lessons from what went on in 2010 . It is too early to say. For sure, if we are talking about such a high death toll, after 2010, i hope that at least the Search And Rescue and the first emergency will show that the first emergency will show that the lesson has been learned. We wish ou the the lesson has been learned. We wish you the very the lesson has been learned. We wish you the very best the lesson has been learned. We wish you The Very Best Of the lesson has been learned. We wish you The Very Best Of their work you The Very Best Of their work there on the ground there, thank you very much indeed. Very much indeed. Thank you very much, by do something a little more light. Astronomers have captured some of the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies in Deep Space. They reveal their Inner Workings in unprecedented detail and they show the role that Black Holes have in creating and Destroying Stars and planets. Heres our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. Our sun is just one among the 100 Billion stars in the milky way, which in turn is one of countless other galaxies in our universe. Astronomers have now found a way to see inside them in much greater detail. In this image, the galaxy is in the middle, shooting out either side are jets of material across the expanse of space as a result of a gigantic Black Hole inside it. These jets are shooting outjust like a fountain of water, far, far beyond the reaches of the galaxy itself. I walked around with a huge smile on my face for the rest of the day because i felt so proud that i was able to make this image and be able to see Something Nobody had ever seen before. It is just one of several new pictures obtained with the help of these aerials planted in a small field in hampshire. These Pick Up Radio Waves from the galaxies. They may not look like much, but astronomers have connected 52 sitesjust like this one, spread all across europe. Astronomers can now see things they have never been able to see before. This is a picture of a galaxy seen through a normal telescope, and here is a standard radio image of it. Although it is a lot brighter, a lot of the detail has been lost. Now compare it with one of the new, high definition images, which is much sharper, showing features inside in unprecedented detail. The brightest area at the bottom shows the location of a gigantic Black Hole inside this galaxy. It is bright because of the energy released as it sucks in material around it. This image shows two galaxies colliding, the bright spots of clusters are exploding stars, creating what astronomers call a galactic wind, blowing Dust And Gas away from it. And this is a galaxy created early on in the life of the universe and it too has a Black Hole, causing jets of material to spurt out. Even seasoned astronomers say wow at these pictures. It has become very clear that in order to understand Galaxy Evolution we need to understand the black Hole Right at the very centre because it appears to have a fairly fundamental influence on how a galaxy evolves. These new images will help astronomers learn more about how the processes that created stars, galaxies and our own earth actually work. Pallab ghosh, bbc news, Chilbolton Observatory in hampshire. Quite extraordinary. Thanks for your company. Tonights news at 10pm , and for those watching internationally Nuala Mcgovern has Tonights Edition of bbc World News hello there. We seem to be battling the cloud at the moment. There was some sunshine around on tuesday, particularly across many parts of scotland, but generally the next few days sees a lot of cloud, which will keep it on the Cool Side and theres still the chance of a little Rain Or Drizzle as well. This is the Pressure Pattern that weve got for wednesday and still that fairly brisk and fairly cloudy north westerly air stream. I think well see some more sunshine, though, developing through the day across scotland, away from the north of the country, where the clouds going to be thick enough to give some rain and drizzle. Elsewhere, after a dull start, the cloud should tend to lift and thin and it should brighten up, bit of sunshine coming through here and there. Many places are going to have a dry day and with the brighter skies, less of a gloomy look to the weather, were going to find temperatures more widely up to 20 21 celsius. Thats still a little below par really for this time of year. And as we head into the evening, weve still got some rain across northern parts of scotland and perhaps some of these Western Hills and coasts could be rather dull with a little drizzle as well. Heading into thursday, we look to the atlantic, weve got some more rain coming in as well, though probably not a great deal of rain to come during thursday. That first Weather Front is slowing up even further, bringing most of any Rain Or Drizzle into Northern Ireland, wales and some Western Parts of england. Further east, it should be drier, maybe a little bit brighter. Theres still a lot of cloud around, mind you, so, as a result, weve got temperatures typically 17 21 celsius on thursday. Moving ahead to friday, that first Weather Front moves away and then the next one comes in around that big area of low pressure, but everything is slowing down and slowing down, so this rain is mainly again affecting ireland, Northern Ireland. For many other parts of The Uk, it will be dry, not promising huge amounts of sunshine, but across england and wales it may start to brighten up a little bit more. The winds will be light and when The Sun comes out, itll feel a bit warmer, could find temperatures getting up to 23 celsius. Moving into the weekend, and you can see how that low pressure starts to fill in situ, its not moving far at all on saturday and that Rain Band is pushing very slowly in from the west and its mainly going to be running into more Western Parts of england and wales, still affecting Northern Ireland, some patchy rain at the moment looks like affecting scotland as well. But for the midlands, across to East Anglia and the south east, it should be dry, some sunshine and a bit more warmth on a southerly breeze, could get temperatures up to 26 celsius. But its only a Brief Spell of warmth across those areas because the low pressure and the Rain Moves in overnight, pushing in from the west, and most of that wet weather looks like affecting england and wales now On Sunday, and there could be some heavy rain as well. At the moment, it looks like being more north wales, Northern England and the north midlands, drier weather for Northern Ireland, in particular for scotland, where we should get some sunshine, although there will be an easterly breeze. Lets look further ahead and were going to push that rain away on monday and then High Pressure starts to build. Now if youre looking for heat and dry weather, you need the High Pressure to the east of The Uk and a southerly breeze, but the high is building down from the north and it may not last too long either. So this much touted heatwave in some parts of the media doesnt look like happening at all. Instead, the weather after monday looks like it will be quietening down through tuesday, wednesday, and into thursday and those temperatures are going to be nearer normal really for this time of year. At least, though, it will be drier and brighter with some sunshine on The Way