President biden remains committed to a full withdrawal of troops from afghanistan by August 31st, so time is running out for the thousands of people who are still hoping to leave. The hard deadline is only days away. In recent days, the Evacuation Effort has ramped up. Planes out of the country are now reportedly leaving every a0 minutes. But its increasingly hard for afghan nationals, even those who have permits, to make it to the airport. Thats because the the taliban has said afghans should not head to the airport. Heres One British National whos stuck In Kabul. Getting to the airport is extremely difficult if not impossible. Thousands of people at the foregates of Kabul Airport, and someone with young children and elderly parents. Theres no way for us to get to the gates. And i know people who have attempted to three or four times and have gone back home. In spite of the challenges, the biden administration is emphasising the successes of the Evacuation Effort. Heres a tweet from the white House Principal Deputy Press Secretary saying that a total of approximately 19,000 People Were Evacuated From Kabul on tuesday. That brings the total number of people whove left since the taliban took over, to more than 82,000. But there are still thousands waiting, and some have gathered at the airport, as you can see. On that, heres one us military chief. I can also tell you that there are more than 10,000 people currently at this time at the airport, awaiting departure. This is a snapshot in time, and as we said yesterday, well continue to change as more people are able to come onto the airfield and as flights depart. As the general said, these figures will change, and they dont take into account the people waiting to leave, but choosing not to come to the airport. So, there seems to be little doubt that some people will be left behind, and thats concerning foreign governments. On tuesday, there was an emergency G7 Meeting, chaired by uk prime minister borisjohnson. That ambiguity is concerning foreign governments. Western leaders appealed for President Biden to extend the withdrawal deadline. Those appeals were rejected. Heres our uk political correspondent, helen catt, on the impact of that decision. Ministers have been quite clear that, actually, even though i they will try i think theyre i saying theyre using these final hours and days as much i as they can to get as many theres a real sense of sorrow within theres a real sense of sorrow within the theres a real sense of sorrow within the uk theres a real sense of sorrow within the Uk Government theres a real sense of sorrow| within the Uk Government and among members within the Uk Government and among members of within the Uk Government and among members of parliament. Within the Uk Government and among members of parliament. They within the Uk Government and among members of parliament. They do within the Uk Government and among members of parliament. They do feel| members of parliament. They do feel that is members of parliament. They do feel that is a members of parliament. They do feel that is a failure members of parliament. They do feel that is a failure in members of parliament. They do feel that is a failure in some that is a failure in some senses, that that is a failure in some senses, that there that is a failure in some senses, that there are people who that is a failure in some senses, i that there are people who will have helped that there are people who will have helped british that there are people who will have helped British Forces that there are people who will have helped British Forces who that there are people who will have helped British Forces who wont that there are people who will have helped British Forces who wont geti helped British Forces who wont get out. Another factor driving the effort to speed up the evacuation is concern over security. On tuesday, President Biden detailed the potential threats to the us and Allied Forces in afghanistan. The longer we stay, starting with the acute and growing risk of an attack by a Terrorist Group known as Isis K, an Isis Affiliated In Afghanistan which is a sworn enemy of the taliban as well. Every day were on the ground is another day we know that Isis K is seeking to target the Airport And Attack both us and Allied Forces and innocent civilians. 0ur security correspondent, frank gardner, gave more detail about the threat posed by this insurgent group. They call themselves Isis Khorasan province. Khorasan is an old description for a vast area of Eastern Iran and afghanistan, and its less than 1000, but they have carried out a number of attacks. Theyve been around since january 2015. Theyve attacked both afghan Government Security forces, the us and the taliban, even when the taliban were themselves insurgents. So, theyre basically enemies of everybody, and they are looking for disruption and chaos. These threats are causing some countries to act. Poland has announced it is halting all evacuations. The countrys deputy Foreign Minister said in a statement that, after a long analysis of reports on the Security Situation, we cannot risk the lives of our diplomats and of our soldiers. Bear in mind that by tuesday next week, all foreign forces should have left afghanistan. Life will present a range of challenges. Among them, drought and rising Food Prices and the different rules of life under the taliban. Heres our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. Tens of millions of afghans have no way out. They have no choice. Some of them dont want to go. Im meeting educated afghans, i journalists and other professionals who have decided they dont want to be refugees. They dont want an even more uncertain life abroad. Theyre going to stay. Here and see if it works. And in rural areas across afghanistan, people will stay. They will wait to find out what its like to live again under taliban rule. Barbara Plett Usher is at the us State Department. Hi, barbara. Youre at the State Department because were expecting to hear from Aunt Department because were expecting to hearfrom aunt in and . Department because were expecting to hear from aunt in and . To hear from aunt in and . Thats riuht. To hear from aunt in and . Thats right to hear from aunt in and . Thats right antony to hear from aunt in and . Thats right. Antony blinken. To hear from aunt in and . Thats right. Antony blinken. To to hear from aunt in and . Thats| right. Antony blinken. To talk right. Antony blinken. To talk about the number of americans still believed to be in afghanistan, how many had been evacuated. He will update us on that, but also speak more broadly about the Evacuation Operation in general. Especially what the americans are doing to try to help allies as well. The State Department and the pentagon have publicly said they dont know exactly how many americans are in afghanistan because they dont have to register, so they have been working very hard to get into contact with those who are registered, try and contact those i think are there. Then give them directions to get to the airport. Theyre in the midst of evacuating employees locally at the embassy, and of course, those afghans who helped with the us war efforts. This is something that the administration has been pushing, this narrative that the massive airlift is an exceptional success, to carry out over time. That is true, but that hasnt dampened the criticism here that the evacuations relate to. Theres attention potentially between this determination to hit The End of august and they could see some americans is still In Kabul wanting to get out. Some americans is still In Kabul wanting to get out. Yes, they have this deadline wanting to get out. Yes, they have this Deadline President wanting to get out. Yes, they have this deadline President Biden wanting to get out. Yes, they have this deadline President Biden is i this deadline President Biden is sticking to at The End of the month, and theyre going to have to start winding down the operation. By the time you get to the finale month of the Month End of the month, it will have slowed down. If americans havent been identified by then, if there are those who identify themselves afterwards, it will be difficult. They have consistently said they will get any american who wants to get out, they will provide them passage. Theyre trying to do that by The End of the month. President biden has also talked about the security risks. He says the longer this goes on, the greater the longer this goes on, the greater the risk is from the islamic State Branch in afghanistan, also the arrangement of the taliban. Hes afraid that could unravel. I think its still going to be weighed up till The End. He did Request Contingency plans. That can balance between security and getting everyone out. It will still be up to the last minute, i think. Taste everyone out. It will still be up to the last minute, ithink. The last minute, i think. We talk to ou from the last minute, i think. We talk to you from the the last minute, i think. We talk to you from the state the last minute, i think. We talk to you from the State Department the last minute, i think. We talk to i you from the State Department many times. Some commentators would say that this is a shift in us Foreign Policy away from afghanistan. Does that match what youre hearing from commentators and people inside the State Department . Its commentators and people inside the State Department . State department . Its pretty clear that the foreign State Department . Its pretty clear that the Foreign Policy State Department . Its pretty clear that the Foreign Policy direction, i that the Foreign Policy direction, also the previous, was an attempt to shift more towards china. They laid out their plans and they talk about it very extensively. The Secretary Of State mentioned that as one of the key Foreign Policy items, alongside maybe the specific country he mentioned at the time. They do want to shift further in that direction. When it comes to shifting away from afghanistan as part of that, i think it is part of that, but even more so, theres been a parallel attempt to try to end what they call the forever wars. President 0bama wanted to get out of afghanistan and President Trump wanted to, and made a deal with the taliban, and President Biden has wanted to get out for the long time. Hes basically said the american dont have an in game. We cant build a nation. I think this has to do with his own determination to cut that operation down. He also knows that operation down. He also knows that there was support among american people for it. That support has dropped when theyve seen the images outside the airport, being executed, has given him a political hit. Theyre still of support for ending the war. Hit. Theyre still of support for endin the war. ,. Ending the war. Inc. You very much. Well be back ending the war. Inc. You very much. Well be back in ending the war. Inc. You very much. Well be back in a ending the war. Inc. You very much. Well be back in a few minutes. Well be back in a few minutes. Were expecting Antony Blinken to come out. Many refugees will have to start a new life in different locations around the us. 200 are heading to austin in texas, and for Afghan Americans waiting for news of family trying to the bbc� s Laura Trevelyan has been speaking to some of them. Haroon abassy leads a protest in austin, texas, by Afghan Americans who work for the us military and are calling for their families to be evacuated from afghanistan. Peoplejust want to bring theirfamily here because they are in danger, so that is why were here. I work, and because of my work, my family is going to be butchered or killed. Haroon was an interpreter for the Us Army and settled here seven years ago. Now hes desperately worried about his parents In Kabul. They left our house, they locked the door, the only thing they took with them was some Food Items and one pair and one pair of clothes, so they locked the door and they are sleeping outside the airport. They are afraid if they go back, of course, the taliban have already found out that their son was a translator, so they cannot go back. For the afghans who are being evacuated and are about to arrive here in texas, volunteers are unpacking the donations which have been pouring in. Despite the polarised politics of immigration in the us, staff believe that afghans will be welcome here. The people who helped us overseas, there is a special category that really does speak across political boundaries and rural, urban, and people understand that these are people who we really need to help. Andy hogue of the local Republican Party agrees, but he says the biden administration has bungled the withdrawal so far and things may get even worse. I hope they make a decision that does not result in a tectonic shift of afghanis coming to the united states. I im hoping it will result in those who need to be here for safetyl reasons to be here and those that need to stay and fight for afghanistan are staying put. The last thing we want is a brain i drain in afghanistan where the best and brightest are either being silenced by terroristic activities or are being flighted to america. I amid this debate over who gets to come here from afghanistan, Tim Kennedy is deploying from texas to the Middle East to support the evacuation of the afghans who work for the us military. He is a us Army Sniper and veteran of the war. What is it that you hope you will achieve on this mission to afghanistan . Thats hard. Its a hard question. I hope that i can preserve and protect human life. As many people that want to live and not to have to live under the tyranny of the taliban, that want to be contributors to a free world and free society, then i will fight for that. I will die for that. Thats the america that these former translators believe in, but theirfaith in us might has been tested. Now they can only wait and pray theirfamilies make it out of afghanistan alive. Laura trevelyan, bbc news, texas. After days of waiting, a first group of 51 refugees we will be live with laura and a few minutes. Number of other countries. After days of waiting, a first group of 51 refugees from afghanistan has finally arrived in uganda. The bbc� s Patience Atuhaire sent this report from the capital kampala. The identities of the evacuees remain undisclosed, but the government says that include men, women and children. Government says they include men, women and children. They were tested for Covid 19 On Arrival and will be quarantined for the mandatory period. Theyre expected to stay in uganda for a short period of time, although it is not yet clear how long for. The American Embassy In Uganda has released a statement thanking the government for agreeing to take in evacuees and extending hospitality to the afghan community. The us is the largest source of funds for Refugee Hosting in uganda. The government here says uganda has been approached to host the afghans because of its progressive Refugee Hosting policy. We dont look at this from the economic Benefit Angle at all. These are people who are in distress, these are people who are running away from a political government which is quite threatening to their lives. Therefore, we receive them as such. We do not expect any economic or any other benefits, but rather to host people who are in distress. Another group of afghan evacuees will soon find a home in london. The Countrys Education Ministry has announced that nearly 200 students, faculty, Staff And Family members will relocate there on a temporary basis as hundreds of thousands of afghans desperately seek refuge outside their country since the taliban takeover. For these few, there is at least some relief. Patience atuhaire, bbc news, kampala. The bbc understands that a review of the intelligence into the origins of Covid 19 has been delivered to the white house. It follows a 90 Day Review by the us intelligence, ordered by the president , into possible theories as to the cause of the outbreak. The report is thought unlikely to contain anything like a smoking gun, just to dampen down expectations. The Washington Post reported that it had been told by two us officials the document is inconclusive about the origins of coronavirus, including whether the pathogen jumped from an animal to a human as part of a natural process, or escaped from a lab in central china. Meanwhile, the scientists involved the World Health Organisations Investigation which visited china last year have described it as a process that has stalled. Theyve written an article for the Journal Nature saying, the window of opportunity for conducting this crucial inquiry Is Closing Fast any delay will render some of the studies biologically impossible. A redacted version of the us Intelligence Report is being prepared for the public to see, thats likely to be closely watched, not least in china, over the coming days. Lets get more from gordon correra. Well, this was requested by the president after he looked at the previous intelligence in may about the organs of the virus, and that devious determination could not come to a conclusion origins. Whether it was naturally incurring, transmitting or resulting from an accident. There was a division, but not much confidence about either conclusion. President biden asked his community to look again, to redouble their efforts. Looking at that intelligence, using new techniques, asking allies, looking at communications all of these elements. The sense as we headed for the report being delivered yesterday was always that it was unlikely to come to a firm conclusion. That certainly seems to be the case according to some initial leads of Media Reports out of washington today, which should just that it does not come to a definitive conclusion. A few minutes, i played you a report from Laura Trevelyan. Lets go back to laura because the issue is back on the agenda. Democrats have returned to the Senate House after a 38 day walk out. It was trying to stop a bill, the democrats say will make It Harderfor Stop a bill, the democrats say will make it harder for minorities to vote. Texas republicans say the bill is coming out with no changes and they say is on track to become law. This is what it contains. It will make mail voting a stricter protest and make it Easierfor Parties make mail voting a stricter protest and make it easier for parties to send. It will also ban 2a Hour Voting and drive through voting. Lets go to laura. I know youve got a guest with you as well who can help us understand this story. I do. Help us understand this story. I do. I have help us understand this story. I do. I have with help us understand this story. I do. I have with me help us understand this story. I do. I have with me of help us understand this story. I do. I have with me of veteran help us understand this story. I u i have with me of veteran democratic political consultant for the state of texas, glenn smith, Whojoins Us now. Can democrats vote on bolding Rights Voting Right . It can democrats vote on bolding Rights Voting Right . Voting right . It was not going to no on Voting Right . It was not going to Go On Forever Voting Right . It was not going to Go On Forever. We Voting Right . It was not going to Go On Forever. We would Voting Right . It was not going to Go On Forever. We would have Voting Right . It was not going to | Go On Forever. We would have to go to the Go On Forever. We would have to go to the election of 2022. This was a way of to the election of 2022. This was a way of calling attention to the critical way of calling attention to the critical issues. And to help boost chances critical issues. And to help boost chances of critical issues. And to help boost chances of congress for our new national chances of congress for our new national Voting Rights bill. You rememberwhen the national Voting Rights bill. You remember when the democrats left the chamber remember when the democrats left the chamber and blocked the quorum, they went to chamber and blocked the quorum, they went to washington to lobby to bring those went to washington to lobby to bring those Build Up. Gk, went to washington to lobby to bring those Build Oo went to washington to lobby to bring those Build Up those Build Up. Ok, but what did it achieve ultimately, those Build Up. Ok, but what did it achieve ultimately, do those Build Up. Ok, but what did it achieve ultimately, do you those Build Up. Ok, but what did it achieve ultimately, do you think. . I think its important 7 i think its important to remember . I think its important to remember throu~hout . I think its important to remember throughout the . I think its important to remember throughout the history . I think its important to remember throughout the history of . I think its important to remember throughout the history of the . I think its important to remember throughout the history of the united j throughout the history of the united states. Throughout the history of the united states. Its throughout the history of the united states, its been long one struggle for the states, its been long one struggle for the franchise. You had to be a pronertv for the franchise. You had to be a Property Owner once, then women couldnt Property Owner once, then women couldnt vote until the 19205, African Americans were of block try to get African Americans were of block try to get loading blocked from voting to get loading blocked from voting for to get loading blocked from voting for years and years. The Con5ervative5 Voting for years and years. The conservatives are still trying to put barrier5 conservatives are still trying to Put Barriers between people and the bolls Put Barriers between people and the bolls this Put Barriers between people and the polls. This is Put Barriers between people and the polls. Thi5 i5ju5t about Put Barriers between people and the polls. This is just about the poll5. This is just about the skirmish poll5. This is just about the 5kirmi5h in what is a 200 plus Year Battle Skirmish in what is a 200 plus year battle. ,. , skirmish in what is a 200 plus year battle. ,. ,. ,. , battle. Democrats claim that republicans battle. Democrats claim that republicans are battle. Democrats claim that republicans are making battle. Democrats claim that republicans are making all l battle. Democrats claim that republicans are making all these changes to Voting Laws in order to suppress the vote. Here in texas, didnt we have Record Turnout . Absolutely, but youll recall that some absolutely, but youll recall that some of absolutely, but youll recall that some of the things we wanted to do away with some of the things we wanted to do away with helped a tonne. In harri5 away with helped a tonne. In harris county. Away with helped a tonne. In harris county, they obey a 24 Hour Voting. They county, they obey a 24 Hour Voting. They have county, they obey a 24 Hour Voting. They have extended voting and drive through they have extended voting and drive through Voting And Drop boxe5 where you can through Voting And Drop boxe5 where you can take your Mail Ballot and drop you can take your Mail Ballot and drop them you can take your Mail Ballot and drop them off. The republicans outlawed all of those things. They were responsible for that big turnout were responsible for that big turnout of 2020. Is were responsible for that big turnout of 2020. Were responsible for that big turnout of 2020. That turnout of 2020. Is it possible that will hurt republicans . Turnout of 2020. Is it possible that will hurt republicans . I turnout of 2020. Is it possible that will hurt republicans . I think will hurt republicans . I think we miaht will hurt republicans . I think we might have will hurt republicans . I think we might have a will hurt republicans . I think we might have a good will hurt republicans . I think we might have a good point. Will hurt republicans . I think we might have a good point. I will hurt republicans . I think we might have a good point. I think| will hurt republicans . I think we. Might have a good point. I think the better might have a good point. I think the Better Con5ervative5 in this case do. Better con5ervative5 in this case do~ im Better Con5ervative5 in this case do~ im not Better Con5ervative5 in this case do. Im not sure why that is the mathematical ca5e, do. Im not sure why that is the mathematical case, but it is. Youre right, mathematical case, but it is. Youre right, republicans took advantage of those right, republicans took advantage of those things right, republicans took advantage of those thing5ju5t like right, republicans took advantage of those things just like democrats. President those things just like democrats. President trump won this in nine point in 2016 and five in 2020. Is texas rather slowly turning pink, if not blue . ~ �. Texas rather slowly turning pink, if not blue . , � ,. , not blue . Yeah, i think theres no cuestion. Not blue . Yeah, i think theres no question you not blue . Yeah, i think theres no question. You can not blue . Yeah, i think theres no question. You can look not blue . Yeah, i think theres no question. You can look at not blue . Yeah, i think theres no question. You can look at the question. You can look at the results que5tion. You can look at the results of question. You can look at the results of the senses we received. All re5ult5 of the senses we received. All Of Results of the senses we received. All of the results of the senses we received. All of the population is people of colour all of the population is people of colour. All of it. The Anglo Population is 5tagnant, even diminishing. All of that Population Growth diminishing. All of that Population Growth was in areas in mostly democrat. Growth area5, growth was in areas in mostly democrat. Growth areas, most places are controlled by democrats. Are controlled by democrats. Glenn, President Trump are controlled by democrats. Glenn, President Trump did are controlled by democrats. Glenn, President Trump did brilliantly are controlled by democrats. Glenn, President Trump did brilliantly with l President Trump did brilliantly with hispanics. Brute President Trump did brilliantly with hisanics. ~. ,. ,. , President Trump did brilliantly with hisanics. ,. ,. , hispanics. We have to go get those voters. Hispanics. We have to go get those voters he hispanics. We have to go get those voters he did. Hispanics. We have to go get those voters. He did, and hispanics. We have to go get those voters. He did, and one hispanics. We have to go get those voters. He did, and one of hispanics. We have to go get those voters. He did, and one of the voter5. He did, and one of the reasons voter5. He did, and one of the reasons is voter5. He did, and one of the reasons is hi5panic5. Theyre individual reasons is hi5panic5. Theyre individual human beings. You have to be there individual human beings. You have to be there to individual human beings. You have to be there to ask you to vote for you, and they be there to ask you to vote for you, and they have to see what is you want and they have to see what is you want to and they have to see what is you want to achieve that will help them. Democrats should understand that. Hearing democrats should understand that. Hearing it democrats should understand that. Hearing it from the long time political master, glenn smith. Thank you so much forjoining us. Im you so much for oining us. Im ha to you so much for oining us. Im happy to have you so much forjoining us. Im happy to have been with you fellow you heard happy to have been with you fellow you heard it from the Horses Mouth and not you heard it from the Horses Mouth and notjust you heard it from the Horses Mouth and Notju5t A55ume you heard it from the Horses Mouth and not just assume there you heard it from the Horses Mouth and notju5t assume there is and notjust assume there is a monolithic voting block. Thanks to Mr Smith as monolithic voting block. Thanks to Mr Smith as well. Wednesday was the first full day of sport at the Paralympic Games In Tokyo. Just like the olympics, its happening a year late because of the pandemic. 4,400 disabled athletes are taking part in two weeks of competition a record number. They come from 160 different countries. As with the olympics, theyll be competing in largely empty stadiums, asjapan faces a surge of coronavirus cases. But the organisers say that holding the games now isnt a risk. There is no correlation between the rising number of cases in the presence of the olympics or paralympics In Tokyo. You see the numbers rising, the numbers and other reasons, higher than tokyo. Heres the key moments from todays sport. The british Cyclist Sarah Storey won her 15th Paralympic Gold Medal in the c5 3,000m individual pursuit. Herfirst Gold Medals were as a swimmer, almost 30 years ago in barcelona in 1992. The egyptian Table Tennis Player Ibrahim Hamadtou played his first match on wednesday. He holds his bat with his mouth and serves with his foot, after losing his arms in a Train Accident aged ten. He lost to South Korean park hong kyu, but will play again. Rachael latham has more of the Days News from tokyo. The first Gold Medal of these Paralympic Games In Tokyo went to australia. It was paige greco over at the velodrome in the c1 3 classification, the 3,000 metre individual pursuit, who took that Gold Medal. Now, she started off in athletics. She only moved over to cycling in 2019. And this here In Tokyo is the first time shes competed on the World Stage in cycling. Her team mate, emily petricola, also took a Gold Medal for australia and broke the World Record. And shes in her 40s. Moving over to the pool, australia continue to dominate. They won eight medals in the pool this evening, four of them being gold. Staying at the pool, Valeria Shabalina from russias paralympic committee not only took a Gold Medal, she broke the first World Record of these games in the aquatics centre. And Felipe Rodriguez from brazil, whos swimming at his fourth Paralympic Games, hes already announced these will be his final games and he took the Bronze Medal in the 50 metres freestyle. Ill see you in a couple minutes time. Its been a fine day across the uk, and the settled, Calm Weather is expected to continue for quite a few more days. Tomorrow, obviously little change. The day after that, little change. In fact, well into next week, hardly anything is going to change as this High Pressure persists across the uk. Regionally, though, there will be subtle differences between each day. This is what it looks like on the recent satellite picture. Clearly, the majority of the country enjoying the clear, sunny weather, but some eastern and central areas have been quite overcast at times, and this patterns going to get through the night as we see northerly winds affecting the North Sea coasts there and dragging in cloud further inland. That does mean that Thursday Morning for some of us is going to be overcast for example, from newcastle to norwich but towards the west of scotland, once again, its Sunshine Right for the word go. And once again, glasgow is in for another beautiful day, fine weather for belfast, the Irish Sea is looking fine, a little bit of high cloud out towards the west here, but i think its the North Sea coasts where well see the cloudiest and coolest weather. Temperatures in newcastle no higher than 15 degrees, whereas in cardiff, in that Sunshine And Light winds, its around 23. So surprise, surprise, the High Pressures still over the uk on friday. The winds are quite light in the centre of that high, so this is where the best of the weather will be, the sunniest weather, and itll feel warmest. Towards the east and the southeast, theres more of a breeze. Thats because were just closer to the low pressure which is in central parts of europe. So, itll feel fresher on those North Sea coasts. Temperatures around about the high teens to 20 celsius on friday, so actually a little bit below the average of the time of the year. Temperatures are on the high teens to 20 celsius on friday. And here is our high on saturday. You can see it sort of Changes Shape from day to day. That doesnt really change an awful lot for us. Itjust means that clouds will be in different places. Notice, showers very close on the continent here. That weather probably will miss the southeast of the country on saturday. So, saturday, sunday and into Bank Holiday monday, the thinking is its going to stay dry, the temperatures will be around the low 20s for the bigger towns and cities, coastal areas will be a little bit fresher, edinburgh there at about 17 celsius. Thats it from me. Bye bye. Hello, im ros atkins, this is 0utside source. Evacuations from Kabul Airport pick up pace, as The End of the Month Deadline approaches. If youre an evacuee that we can get out, were going to continue to get you out. Before the 315t . Right up until The End. The us says 10,000 people are still at Kabul Airport hoping to get out. Were expecting to hear from the us Secretary Of State in the next hour. And ill look at what the us decision to pull out of afghanistan says about its so called Special Relationship with the uk. And a new report has found that the pfizer and answers in active vaccines do become less effective over time, vaccines do become less effective overtime, but vaccines do become less effective over time, but they do have protection from severe Illness Pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines. Us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken is due to give an update on the situation in afghanistan. This is the Life Feed we have from the State Department. As you can see, he is not there yet, but as soon as he is, we will take that to the situation in afghanistan is putting the so called Special Relationship between the us and uk under great scrutiny. Lets have a look at why. WhenJoe Biden became president , borisjohnson was the first person he called. And on americas alliances, there was this from Secretary Of State Antony Blinken. We get so much more done with them then we could without them, so were making a Big Push right now to reconnect with our friends and allies. The desire to move beyond trump was palpable. That was march. In april, President Biden announced hed implement trumps plan to withdraw from afghanistan. Ive concluded that its time to end americas longe5t war. Its time for american troops to come home. The president also said hed consulted with his allies. But the Withdrawal Wasnt what the uk wanted. Its not a decision that wed hoped for, but we obviously respect it,. And its clearly an acknowledgement | of an evolving us 5trategic posture. | the uk was soon to have the chance to explore this evolution close up. The g7 gathered in cornwall, withJoe Biden the central Figure And Borisjohnson the host. You call it the deep and meaningful relationship, whatever you want to call it, the indestructible relationship. President biden was equally effusive. We affirmed the special Relationship A5 is not said lightly the Special Relationship between our people. That was june. Also injune, the us withdrawal from afghanistan was now at full tilt. By earlyjuly, its central Facility Bagram Airbase had been abandoned. By mid august, the taliban were on the outskirts of kabul. By sunday, the 15th of august, the taliban was in the president ial palace. The government had fallen. And this was the worst Case Scenario for the us and the uk. A 20 year shared endeavour to build a democracy was gone, replaced by a desperate rush to get people out. That was on the sunday. Joe biden didnt call borisjohnson. On monday, the urgency of the situation intensified. Joe biden still didnt call borisjohnson. They eventually spoke on tuesday, over 48 hours after the fall of kabul. The next day, borisjohnson explained the uks position. The west could not continue this us led mission, a Mission Conceived and executed in Support And Defence of america, without american logistics, without us airpower. A mission executed in defence of america was now ending on a date of americas choosing the 31th of august. And going into a G7 Meeting on tuesday, the uk was clear it wanted the date pushed back. Everyone knows that the rest of the international community wishes to have more time, but there are two other people with a vote in that. That is the taliban and the president of the united states. And in The End, both of them had significant power in that final decision. President biden didnt change his mind. The date stayed. And as this has all played out, the former head of uk joint forces command, general richard barrons, argues. But is this Relegation Orjust how its always been . Watching from washington, the bbc� s North America Editor Jon Sopel wrote that what has happened is. Which, when push comes to shove and when america and injons article, he thinks back to this moment in 2001, when then uk prime minister Tony Blair visited washington after the 9 11 attacks. In the months to come, hed provide Uk Support for americas invasions of iraq and afghanistan. 20 years on, hes had this to say. Many people, as a result of what happened in afghanistan, are going to have a deep doubt as to whether we can be relied upon. And that is not a good thing. And mr blairs fierce criticism of mr Bidens Withdrawal also raises a question about whether the uk can rely on the us. But when the uk foreign secretary, dominic raab, was asked today if the us refusal to extend that deadline meant the Special Relationship was over, he replied. And if thats the uk perspective, this is us State Department Spokesperson Ned Price last week. We certainly have an extraordinary partner in the british government. To back that up, Mr Price added. What i can say is that our coordination with the british government, with all of our nato allies, has been consistent, it has been clear, and there has been a consensus on this. But only if consensus is the us deciding a policy, and then the uk and others agreeing to it because theres no other option. And not because they agree. It is a relationship. Special� s one word for it. Others are being used too. Sebastian payne is the Whitehall Editor for the financial times and presents the paynes politics podcast. Great to have you on the programme, sebastian, thanks for your time. How would you categorise the relationship at The End of all this . Is the first real split between President Biden and Financer Boris Johnson since the last us election, and when resident biden came in, he was very much trying to argue that america is back, we want to reconnect with all the allies, and he made sure the first call he made as president to a foreign leader was to borisjohnson and one of his first overseas visits was to the uk, and he visited the queen at Windsor Castle as well, so the symbol of pageantry of the special leadership is all there, but the questions of always been when it comes to hard policy where it is going to land, and heres your answer for Swing Policy where it is going to land, and heres your Answerfor Swing of mrjohnson try to the president to keep us presence in the military. Decline that. The personal religion between those two is not the best state but the Special Relationship as some people call it goes much deeper, the fact we share intelligence, the fact there are clear Military Answer should you games unite the uk in the us, they dont change the personal relationship of stub i cannot replace and go us president who is not falling out with a uk prime minister, so maybe it is inevitable. The question is where it goes next. Of the question is where it goes next. Of Course Weve got the Big Cop26 of Course Weve got the Big Cop26 climate summit, which borisjohnson is keen to show is a symbol of the us relationship with the uk. Even using the Slogan Build back better. , using the Slogan Build back better using the Slogan Build back better using the Slogan Build back better. ,. , � better. From what youre saying, we need to better. From what youre saying, we need to wait better. From what youre saying, we need to wait to better. From what youre saying, we need to wait to see better. From what youre saying, we need to wait to see if better. From what youre saying, we need to wait to see if these we need to wait to see if these tensions are specific to the afghanistan Crisis Or Something broader . ~ broader . Indeed, and i think obviously broader . Indeed, and i think obviously there broader . Indeed, and i think obviously there tensions, broader . Indeed, and i think obviously there tensions, theres been No Doubt about it. This the folks ive spoken to Chris Whitehall have made very clear that borisjohnson, Ben Wallace and others were unhappy with the decision, but they cant do much about it. Their hands were tied by the us president. They may not like it. The key thing to watch now, going up to cop26, is there a meeting of minds between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden . There should be. They have adopted very similar policies on achieving that carbon. Does the uk feel it has been sober and like this and cannot rely in america any more and tried to find other allies . And he did try to do that, the uk try to speak to other Nato Members and to the Data Organisation itself to form an alternative coalition, but that went nowhere, severely exposes what happens if you dont have the relationship, if you cannot rely on america. Nobody wants to address that because it would be such a problematic thing for brexit britain. I problematic thing for brexit britain. ,. ,. , problematic thing for brexit britain. ,. ,. , britain. I wonder if it is a gap or whether what britain. I wonder if it is a gap or whether what were britain. I wonder if it is a gap or whether what were seeing britain. I wonder if it is a gap or whether what were seeing is i britain. I wonder if it is a gap or i whether what were seeing is sickly something that has always been there that the us the more Senior Partner in this relationship, it may be special at times, but in terms of seniority, there is No Doubt he was top of the pecking order. That seniority, there is No Doubt he was top of the pecking order. Top of the pecking order. That is very true. Top of the pecking order. That is very true. And top of the pecking order. That is very true. And L Top of the pecking order. That is very true, and i think top of the pecking order. That is very true, and i think ever i top of the pecking order. That is very true, and i think ever since | very true, and i think ever since the second world war, that has been the second world war, that has been the case, and whether you look at in terms of sharing nuclear missile programmes, in terms of Foreign Policy, you name it across the whole spectrum, all the terms are dictated to by america and that is only going to increase as the Jubilee Go balance continues to adapt. I think the key thing uk wants to. We have got that seat on the un security council, still a key number of nato, one of the biggest military powers within europe. Boris johnson has a track to sell himself saying, we did not like this decision, we are forced into it by america, but we can so bring people together, have a meeting of minds and try to achieve something, but what actually has been achieved here . We had that virtual Summit Meeting this week which Ports Johnson brought together and ultimately they came up with a slightly mealy mouthed statement, that we want to talk to the taliban about keeping those evacuation situations going. It is not hard action here. The us is the dominant Military Force in every Nato Member knows it. Military force in every Nato Member knows it. ,. ,. ,. , Military Force in every Nato Member knowsit. ,. ,. , Military Force in every Nato Member knowsit. ,. ,. , knows it. Great to have you on the programme. Knows it. Great to have you on the programme, sebastian. Knows it. Great to have you on the programme, sebastian. Each i knows it. Great to have you on the programme, sebastian. Each and| programme, sebastian. Each and everyone of you watching can read Sebastians Analysis on the f. K. Website and you can subtract to the website as well. Ft. I was mentioning Antony Blinken speaking, we thought it would happen ten minutes ago, but so far no sign of mr blinking. As soon as it happens we will link you in. Mr Antony Blinken. Protection against coronavirus starts to reduce within six months of people being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer Or Astrazeneca vaccines, a new report suggests. Experts working on the Zoe Covid study say their research suggests that Booster Vaccines will be needed. 0ur Health Correspondent Sophie Hutchinson has this report. More than three quarters of adults in the uk have now had two doses of a Covid Vaccine, but how long that protection lasts is a crucial question. Sarah, a head teacher, received her second dose in april, but injune, after herfamily all caught the virus, she became infected too. 0bviously, id been shielding at home, id been staying in different rooms, keeping doors and windows open, wearing masks in communal areas of the home. So id hoped not to get it with my double vaccine, but i knew there was always a possibility of getting it. It was obviously very disappointing to get it in The End, and my symptoms were just like that of a heavy head cold, really. I didnt have to stop working, i was working from home throughout that period. I had to rest a little bit more than usual, but i felt like it was a much lighter version than i had the year before. Sarahs one of a growing number of people whove been infected despite being Double Jabbed. Todays study by the Zoe Covid Team adds to the evidence that vaccines lose some effectiveness over time. It found protection from infection, with both the Pfizer And Astrazeneca vaccines, reduced slightly within six months of the second dose. But for most, the vaccines still seem to prevent severe disease. What this study tells us is that we have to keep an eye on the level of immunity and track it as time goes on, so that we can make a prediction, one month, three months, six months into the future, of when a booster might be required. And infections have been rising sharply in some parts of the uk. Scotland, where schools have gone back, hit another record high today, well over 5,000 new cases, with more than a third among teenagers and children. Experts are warning the new term is likely to be difficult. So i think we do need to be braced for a challenging period. Exactly how high the numbers will be is very challenging to predict that. Where i think we can be more confident is that level5 of mortality are going to remain low, because we have 5tudy after study that still shows the vaccines are working. Cornwall� s rocketing rates of infection have been blamed in large part on a Music And Surfing festival. Preparations are well under way for this weekends reading festival, where thousands will gather, and where there are crowds, that is likely to be covid. Sophie hutchinson, bbc news. Still to come on 0utside source, well talk about the website 0nlyfans, which has reversed a decision to prohibit sexually explicit photos and videos from october. That could perform their rights to ancestral lands. The bbc� s Tim Allman has the story. For generations they have fish in these waters and lived on these lands. They used to own so much more this land, but in the settlers moved in. Translation �. , 4 in. Translation �. , ~ , translation before, they killed us with Auns Translation before, they killed us with guns slowly translation before, they killed us with guns slowly for translation before, they killed us with guns slowly for some translation before, they killed us with guns slowly for some no translation before, they killed us with guns slowly for some no they i with guns slowly for some no they kill us with the stroke of a pen slowly. Now they kill us with the stroke of a slowly. Now they kill us with the stroke of a pen. Stroke of a pen. They. Translation stroke of a pen. They. Translation how stroke of a pen. They. Translation how are i stroke of a pen. They. I translation how are we to stroke of a pen. They. Translation how are we to grow lants . Translation how are we to grow plants . We translation how are we to grow plants . We live translation how are we to grow plants . We live in translation how are we to grow plants . We live in this translation how are we to grow plants . We live in this home, i plants . We live in this home, theres plants . We live in this home, theres no plants . We live in this home, theres no way we can move. That is why we theres no way we can move. That is why we are theres no way we can move. That is why we are fighting. A5 long as they dont why we are fighting. A5 long as they dont do why we are fighting. A5 long as they dont do what we want, we will fight dont do what we want, we will fiuht. � ,. ,. r dont do what we want, we will fiuht. � ,. , ~. , fight. And hundreds have taken that fiuht fight. And hundreds have taken that fi. Ht to the fight. And hundreds have taken that fight to the capital fight. And hundreds have taken that fight to the capital brasilia. Fight. And hundreds have taken that fight to the capital brasilia. Their i fight to the capital brasilia. Their case hinges on interpretation of the Countrys Constitution adopted in 1988 stub which tribes were officially recognised at that time and what land where they entitled to . The consequent this could be huge. Thousands of hectares sold by the state to private companies, including Tobacco Companies in the 1950s, could be returned to their original owners. The Government And President bolsonaro insist there are too few indigenous people living on too few indigenous people living on too much land and blocking economic expansion. They disagree. But if they lose, they say will resist until The End. Tim allman, bbc news. Straight to washington, dc and the State Department, because Usa Country Estate Blinken has just become a briefing on the in afghanistan. Brute become a briefing on the in afghanistan. Become a briefing on the in afuhanistan. ~. ,. , afghanistan. We have evacuated least 4500 us citizens afghanistan. We have evacuated least 4500 us citizens and afghanistan. We have evacuated least 4500 us citizens and likely afghanistan. We have evacuated least 4500 us citizens and likely more i afghanistan. We have evacuated least 4500 us citizens and likely more l 4500 us citizens and likely more us Secretary Of State for more than 500 of those americans were evacuated injust 500 of those americans were evacuated in just the last day alone. Now, many of you have asked how many us citizens remain in afghanistan who want to leave the country. Based on our analysis, starting on august 14, when are Evacuation Operations began, there was then a population of as many as 6000 American Citizens in afghanistan who wanted to leave. Over the last ten days, roughly 4500 of these americans have been safely evacuated along with immediate family members. Over the past 24 hours, we have been in direct contact with approximately 500 additional americans and provided specific instructions on how to get to the airport safely. We will update you regular on our progress in getting these 500 American Citizens out of afghanistan. For the remaining roughly 1000 contacts, that we had, who may be americans seeking to leave afghanistan, we are aggressively reaching onto the multiple times a day through multiple times a day through multiple channels of communication, phone, e mail, text message, to determine whether they still want to leave and to get the most up to Date Information and instructions to them for how to do so. Some may no longer be in the country. Some may have claimed to be americans but turned out not to be. Some may choose to stay. We will continue to try to identify the status and plans of these people in the coming days. Thus from this list of approximate 1000, we believe the number of americans actively seeking Assistance Leave afghanistan is lower, likely sniffing and the lower for having said that, these are dynamic compilations likely significantly lower. We are cocky letting hour by hour to provide for accuracy, if i can take a moment to explain why the numbers are difficult to pin down we are calculating. Let me start with the americans who are in afghanistan and we believe want to leave. First, as i think all of you know, the us government does not track americans movements when they travel around the world. When americans visit a foreign country or if they reside there, we encourage them to enrol with the us embassy. Whether you are not is up to them. Is voluntary. And when americans leave a foreign country it is also up to them to d enrol. Again, that is a choice of a not a requirement. Securely given the Security Situation in afghanistan for many years, we have urged americans not to travel there, we repeatedly asked americans who are in afghanistan to enrol, and since march of this year, we have sent 19 separate messages to americans enrolled with the embassy In Kabul, encouraging and then urging them to leave the country. We have amplified those direct messages on the State Department website and on the State Department website and on social media. We even made clear that we would help pay for their repatriation. And we have provided most bulky mitigation channels for americans to contact us if theyre in afghanistan and wants help in leaving. Multiple human occasion channels. The estimates of americans in afghanistan could go up as people respond to our outreach for the first time and it can go down really rich americans we thought were in afghanistan who tell us they have already left. There could be other Americans In Afghanistan Who never enrolled with the embassy who ignored public valuation notices, and have not yet identified themselves to us. We have also found that many people who contact us and identify them selves American Citizens, including by filling out as a bidding forms, not in fact American Citizens, something that can take some time to verify. Some americans may choose to stay in afghanistan. Some who are enrolled in some who are not. And some who are not. And there americans who are not. And there americans who are still evaluating their decision to leave based on the situation on the ground that evolves daily, that evolves hourly. Some are understandably very scared. Each has a set of personal priorities and considerations that they alone can weigh. They may even change their mind from one day to the next as has happened and will likely continue to happen. Finally, Overthe Past happened and will likely continue to happen. Finally, over the past ten days, we have been moving hundreds of American Citizens out of afghanistan every day, in most cases guided to the airport by us, in some cases getting their. Checklists against flight manifests, against arrival records, against other databases. Theres usually a lack of about 24 hours to be able to verify their status. So when you take into account all of these inputs that we used to arrive at our assessment of the number of americans to live afghanistan and want to leave, you start to understand why this is a hard number to pin down at any given moment and why we are constantly refining it. And that is also why we continue to be relentless in our outreach. Since august 14, weve reached out directly to every american enrolled with us in afghanistan, often multiple times. Hundreds of consular officers publicly employed staff here in washington at dozens of embassies are part of what is been an unprecedented operation full so there from bank, text bank, writing and responding E Mails, working around the clock to communicate individually with americans on the ground their phone bank. Since august 14, we have sent more than 2000 E Mails to enrolled individuals, initiated more than 40,000 Phone Calls and used other means of Committee Case and, cycling through and updating our list repeatedly. We also integrating information in real time that is provided to us by members of congress, by nongovernmental organisations and us citizens about americans who may be in afghanistan and want to get out. These contacts are how we determine the whereabouts of americans who may be in afghanistan, whether they want to leave, whether they need help, and then to give them specifics, tailored instructions on how to leave, with real time emerged Contact Numbers to use should they need them. Now lemme turn to the number of americans who have been evacuated. As i said we believe we evacuated. As i said we believe we evacuated more than 4500 us Passport Holders as well as their families. That number is also a dynamic one. That number is also a dynamic one. That is because in this critical stretch, we are focused on getting americans and their families onto planes, out of afghanistan as quickly as possible and then processing the total numbers when they are safely out of the country. We also verify our numbers to make sure that we are not in advert the undercounting or double counting. So i want to lay that out because i know it is a fundamental question that so many of you have had and it really merits going through the information and next the nation, so you see how we arrive at it. While evacuating americans is our top priority, we are also committed to getting out as many afghans at risk as we can before the 31st. That search with our locally employed staff. The forecastle been working Side By side in our embassy with our tip of editing the folks who have been. It includes people in the Siv Programme and also other afghans at risk. It is hard to overstate the complicity and the danger of this effort. We are operating in a hostile environment in a City And Country now controlled by the telephone with the very real possibility of an Isis K attack. We are taking every precaution but this is very high risk now controlled by the taliban. As the president said yesterday, we are on track to complete our mission by August 31 provided the taliban continue to cooperate and there are no disruptions to this effort. The president has also asked for Contingency Plans in case he determines we must Mindy Country past that date. But let me be crystal about this. There is no deadline on our work to help any remaining American Citizens who decide they want to leave to do so, along with the many afghans who have stood by us for many years who want to leave and have been unable to do so. That effort will continue every day passed August 31. The taliban had made public and private commitments to provide and permit Safe Passage For Americans for third country nationals, and afghans at risk going forward past August 31. The united states, our allies and partners in more than half of the worlds countries, 114 in all, issued a Statement Making clear to the taliban that they have a responsibility to hold to that commitment and provide safe passage. For anyone who wishes to leave the country, notjust for the duration of our Evacuation And Relocation mission, but for every day thereafter. And we are develop detailed plans for how we can continue to provide constant support and facilitate departures for those who wish to leave after August 31. Our expectation, the asportation of the international community, is that people who want to leave afghanistan after the us military departs should be able to do so together l mac. Together we will do every thing we can to see that expectation is met. Let me just close with a note on the diff the medic front. In all, more than two dozen countries on four continents are contributing to the effort to transit and temporally house or resettle those we are evacuating diplomatic front for some that did notjust happen. It is the product of a fantastic amount of effort. It is. People itisa it is a testament both to us leadership and to the strength of our alliances and partnerships. We will be relying and pulling upon that strength moving forward, with our allies and partners, to unify a diplomatic approach afghanistan. There was a point the president underscored in Yesterdays T7 leaders meeting on afghanistan. And it is wanted in other senior members of the State Department have made in our constant communication with allies and partners in recent days to ensure we are aligned and united as we move forward one that i and other senior members. On military and assistance, onerous quotations of the future afghan government, that intends work as underling as we speak and will continue in the days and weeks at. Ongoing as we speak. I talked a lot about numbers. This afternoon. But even as we are laser focused on this afternoon. But even as we are laserfocused on the mission, we know that this is about real people. Many scared, many desperate. I have seen the images, i read the stories, ive heard the voices, so much of that reported by you and your colleagues. So courageously. Like many of you, i read the report of the afghan translator whose two year old daughter was trampled to death on saturday while waiting outside the airport. Ive got two small kids of my own. Reading that story and others was like getting punched in the gut. All of us at the State Department and across the us government feel that way. We know that lives and futures, starting with our fellow citizens, including the lives of children, hang in the balance during these critical days. And that is why everyone on our team is putting everything they have into this effort. Thanks very much. Happy Today Question. This effort. Thanks very much. Happy Today Question Today Question. Thanks, mr secretary. Today question. Thanks, mr secretary. That Today Question. Thanks, mr secretary. That was i Today Question. Thanks, mrl secretary. That was antony Today Question. Thanks, mr secretary. That was Antony Blinken there, the us Secretary Of State giving an update on the situation in afghanistan, and well have plenty more reaction to his comments later on in the programme. This is bbc news. The headlines at 8pm. Britain says it will use every hour thats left to get people out of afghanistan. People wade through Human Sewage to try to get airside to flee. Is it worth staying here in afghanistan at the moment . Translation afghanistan at the moment . Tuna Mom Afghanistan at the moment . Translation � ,. , translation theres no we can stay here. The americans translation theres no we can stay here. The americans should translation theres no we can stay here. The americans should shoot i translation theres no we can stay here. The americans should shoot us| here. The americans should 5hoot us or let here. The americans should 5hoot us or let us here. The americans should 5hoot us or let us through. Later in the hour, well have more analysis on the attitude of afghanistans neighbours to the taliban, as well as what the next steps for those afghans whove made it to britain. Also on bbc news. Researchers say Booster Shots of the Covid Vaccine may be needed, after a study suggests reduced protection for the Double Jabbed after six months. The mother of claudia lawrence, who went missing 12 years ago, says shes in utter shock over a new police search