In france for not having a Covid 19 vaccine before a set deadline. And then mike is proposing to ban prisoners serving Life Sentences from having romantic relationships. This is to discourage groupies. We will hearfrom the this is to discourage groupies. We will hear from the group who broke the story in copenhagen copenhagen. China has hit out at a new Security And Defence pact between the us, Britain And Australia accusing the trio of playing � geopolitical games�. Last night us president Joe Biden, british prime Minister Borisjohnson and australiam prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new partnership called aukus. Were told the aim is to strenghten security in the Indo Pacific , many see it as a way of countering chinas growing influence. Heres how borisjohnson sold it in parliament. It amounts to a new pillar of our strategy by demonstrating british let me take a left to the State Department where Defence Secretary our meeting their australian counterparts and We Can listen in. Separating the interests of our atlantic and pacific partners. This partnership with australia and the united kingdom is a signal that we are committed to working with our allies and partners including in the to ensure a free and open in the pacific. We welcome European Countries play an important role in the Indo Pacific and we look forward to continued close cooperation with nato and the European Union and Others in this endeavour. France in particular is a vital partner on this and so many Other issues especially stretching Back Generations and we want to find every opportunity to deepen our transatlantic cooperation in The End of pacific and around the world. Our Discussions Today reflect how the alliance between australia and the united states goes far beyond our military ties deep and as important as they are and our economic relationship is robust and the united states is proud to be the top for an investor in australia to be the top destination for australias foreign investment. We are connected by people to people tied stretching Back Generations and 95,000 australian students came to American Universities in 2019 and the more than 12,000 americans studying in australia, discovering for themselves australias national beauty and multicultural society and its easy going friendliness. Beyond these bilateral ties, the partnership between our countries Underpayments Stability and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region as a whole. We share a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We stand up for Human Rights and stand together against threats to Democratic Governance Including State sponsored information. We work together to help neighbours in the Indo Pacific and to take on urgent mobile challenges. For example, theyre working together both bilaterally and do locals to stop the Covid 19 pandemic. Today we also discussed the urgenT Need to respond to the Climate Crisis by making progress in cutting emissions by The End of this decade. And i were to Countries Today to defend the international rules based order that makes so much cooperation and shared progress among nations possible to begin with. The world saw chinas aggressive response when australian led calls for an inquiry into the emergence of Covid 19. And beijing has seen over the past months that australia will not back down and the threat of economic Retaliation And Pressure simply will not work. I want to reiterate what i said before. The united states will not leave australia alone on the fields or better yet, on the pitch. In the face of these pressure tactics. We have raised publicly and privately our serious concerns about beijing plus by use of force against australia admitted the Enforcement Actions make the targeting of allies will hinder improvements in our own relationships with the chinese government. We welcome australia plus present leadership in standing up plus present leadership in standing up for universal values, that we seek to uphold and helping to shape the Indo Pacific region where nations conduct themselves in ways that enhance stability, reinforce international law, including Freedom Of The Seas and allow commerce and respect the sovereignty of Other countries. These past 70 years have proven that this is an unshakeable alliance. We are deeply grateful for ourfriendship alliance. We are deeply grateful for our friendship with australia and we are eager to continue to work closely with the next for the next 70 years and beyond to ensure a bright and hopeful future for australians, americans and people across the region. So, thank you so much again for our Defence Minister for travelling here to washington and we looking forward to returning the favour and to australia as soon as he can and to welcome the prime Minister Morris here next week when he meets with President Biden and the Leaders Ofjapan and india for the Leaders Ofjapan and india for the security dialogue. With that the Prime Minister. The security dialogue. With that the Prime Minister. , ~ ,. ,. Prime minister. Thank you very much. Thank ou Prime Minister. Thank you very much. Thank you for Prime Minister. Thank you very much. Thank you for hosting Prime Minister. Thank you very much. Thank you for hosting the Prime Minister. Thank you very much. Thank you for hosting the 31st Prime Minister. Thank you very much. Thank you for hosting the 31st Osman | thank you for hosting the 31st 0sman consultations. May also thanks to those many officials who have been trailing behind the scenes for some time now to prepare for a meeting of this consequence. Its a great pleasure to be here in washington with our friends and colleagues to engage in the 0sman talks and its not possible without the work of officials that goes into it. Two weeks ago the sales of the iconic Sydney Opera House where he lit up with the Stars Stripes of the flag of the united states. Of the united states. Marking 70 ears of the united states. Marking 70 years since of the united states. Marking 70 years since the of the united states. Marking 70 years since the signing of the united states. Marking 70 years since the signing of of the united states. Marking 70 years since the signing of the years since the signing of the treaty years since the signing of the treaty. And for those 70 years, i brains treaty. And for those 70 years, i brains has treaty. And for those 70 years, i brains has helped to safeguard our people brains has helped to safeguard our people and to enhance security of our region people and to enhance security of our region. And this, along with the Other our region. And this, along with the Other clainns our region. And this, along with the Other claims is the united states has and Other claims is the united states has and that many good friendships and partnerships of both donations have formed a bedrock of stability enabling have formed a bedrock of stability enabling setting decades of peace and economic growth. As he face a prolonged and economic growth. As he face a prolonged period of strategic competition in the Indo Pacific, we are now competition in the Indo Pacific, we are now expanding this network. The aukus are now expanding this network. The Aukus Trilateral Partnership being the latest example of it. Indeed, australia the latest example of it. Indeed, australia and united states are continually identifying new ways to together continually identifying new ways to together in our region according to our values together in our region according to our values and interests in Common Sense our values and interests in Common Sense with our values and interests in Common Sense with existing and new Partners Sense with existing and new partners. Priorto sense with existing and new partners. Prior to arriving in washington the minister and i had visited washington the minister and i had visited jakarta, washington the minister and i had visitedjakarta, New Washington the minister and i had visited jakarta, new delhi, and soul where visited jakarta, new delhi, and soul where we visited jakarta, new delhi, and soul where we discussed many of the same issues where we discussed many of the same issues that where we discussed many of the same issues that have been on the agenda here today issues that have been on the agenda here today. At todays meeting, we have reiterated that our allies and our partners are our greatest strategic our partners are our greatest strategic assets. We are committed to Centrality And Architecture and we will to Centrality And Architecture and we will continue working with the quad we will continue working with the quad as we will continue working with the quad as a we will continue working with the quad as a vehicle to support the Indo Quad as a vehicle to support the Indo Pacific. Next some of the first such meeting in person will be a powerful such meeting in person will be a powerful demonstration of the commitment of our four nations. We see that commitment of our four nations. We see that competition is happening across see that competition is happening across a see that competition is happening across a wide range of areas. In economics. Across a wide range of areas. In economics, diplomacy, development, health. Economics, diplomacy, development, health, technology and grey zones. 0ur Alliance has long evolved beyond its initial 0ur Alliance has long evolved beyond its initial status as a Military Pact its initial status as a Military Pact. Which means its contemporary, its well suited to co operate on countering its well suited to co operate on countering economic coercion or supporting countering economic coercion or supporting a Region Response to covidi9 supporting a Region Response to Covid 19 as much as it is on those more Covid 19 as much as it is on those more traditional security challenges. The australians and americans detailing how they feel about americans detailing how they feel about each Other out and this new security about each Other out and this new Security Pact between them and the uk. , , Security Pact between them and the uk. ,. , uk. Let us bring in Gary Donahue from washington. Uk. Let us bring in Gary Donahue from washington. The uk. Let us bring in Gary Donahue from washington. The secretary| uk. Let us bring in Gary Donahue i from washington. The Secretary Of State could not be more effusive about australia. State could not be more effusive about australia. Very much so and also pretty about australia. Very much so and also pretty effusive about australia. Very much so and also pretty effusive about about australia. Very much so and also pretty effusive about his about australia. Very much so and| also pretty effusive about his Other allies. Those that have been completely blindsided and angered by this new pact and new security so some warm words from the french and the North Atlantic partners as well as warm words for australia but this is a very significant development and i think what you seeing here is australia finally in some sense being forced to its nature of its relationship with china to choose and it seems to have chosen a relationship with america and united kingdom that will put it at odds with china in the coming decades. Presumably also we are seeing the americans acknowledge is not directly that they also need australia as part of their efforts to counter china in this part of the world . I to counter china in this part of the world . ~ to counter china in this part of the world . ,. , � , world . I think thats right. American world . I think thats right. American violent world . I think thats right. | american violent foreign world . I think thats right. American violent Foreign Policy american violent Foreign Policy has only sought to try and do things through coalition so of course they have got japan through coalition so of course they have gotjapan and through coalition so of course they have got japan and South Korea to help them in The End of Pacific Region but having anOther Half Dozen submarines that can stay at sea for eight months at a time on the australian leadership and doing that kind of work around this south China Sea that the americans have been doing in terms of their Freedom Of Navigation is going to help or even look like some years to come onstream and i think the americans may have seen an opportunity here with this growing Trade War between Australia And China over the last couple of years and an opportunity where they could offer australia as something which in some ways they could not refuse. Could not refuse. Thank you very much. Could not refuse. Thank you very much we could not refuse. Thank you very much. We have could not refuse. Thank you very much. We have heard could not refuse. Thank you very much. We have heard from could not refuse. Thank you very much. We have heard from the l much. We have heard from the americans and australians. Now let us hear from the americans and australians. Now let us hearfrom the british. This is how the tape Minister Borisjohnson described the arrangement department. It amounts to a new pillar of our strategy by demonstrating british generational commitment to the security of the Indo Pacific and showing exactly how We Can help one of our oldest friends to preserve regional stability. The aukus pact, which will also cover ai and Other technologies, is one of the biggest defence partnerships in decades. Weve unpacked it for you. The deal will allow australia to build eight nuclear powered submarines over the next 18 months, using technology provided by the us. The subs which we should stress arent Nuclear Weapons look the same as conventionally run diesel electric submarines, the difference and its a Big One are their capabilities. Nuclear powered subs are faster, can stay submerged for longer under water, shoot missiles at longer distances and are much harder to detect than conventional fleets. Australia will become just the seventh country in the world to have these subs. Heres its Prime Minister its becoming more complex especially here in our region. The Indo Pacific. This affects us all. The future of the Indo Pacific will impact all of our futures. To meet these challenges, to help deliver the Security And Stability our region needs, we must now take our partnership to a new level. Theres been lots of reaction. First, taiwan. Its a key ally of the us and on the Front Line of tensions between the washington and beijing. And so, has hailed the deal. A spokesperson for the president says keeping the Indo Pacific free and open is notjust important for the security of neighbouring countries like taiwan, its essential for todays interconnected global economy. AnOther us ally in the region is japan. The enhancement of Security And Defence cooperation between the U S. , britain, and australia is crucial for Peace And Security in Thel Indo Pacific Region. Forjapan, to realise a free and open Indo Pacific, we have made various efforts with the quad the U S. , australia, india , asean, and align with europe. I china though, has Other words. Its foreign Ministry Spokesman accused the us of � outdated Cold War mentality�. This was earlier. The us and uk are about to highly sensitive nuclear powered Submarine Technology to australia and this once again shows they are using nuclear exports as geopolitical Gaming Tools and applying double standards which is extremely responsible. Extremely irresponsible. So that� s The View in china. France isn� t happy either but for different reasons. The new pact brought an abrupt end to a 36billion Dollar Submarine Contract australia and france signed in 2016. And the french Foreign Minister didn� t mince his words. It is a stab in the back. We had established a relationship of trust with australia. That trust has been broken. There is a lot of bitterness about the cancellation. This matter is not over. The criticism continued on twitter , many french officials lashed out at the us. The french embassy in the us tweeted the us choice to exclude a European Union Ally And Partner such as france while the french ambassador to the us Philippe Etienne had an historic reminder. Once we sign a deal, a deal that is not a once we sign a deal, a deal that is not a commercial once we sign a deal, a deal that is not a commercial deal once we sign a deal, a deal that is not a commercial deal but once we sign a deal, a deal that is not a commercial deal but a not a commercial deal but a strategic not a commercial deal but a strategic partnership not a commercial deal but a strategic partnership and i not a commercial deal but a| strategic partnership and We Backtrack strategic partnership and We Backtrack on strategic partnership and We Backtrack on it strategic partnership and We Backtrack on it it strategic partnership and We Backtrack on it it is strategic partnership and We Backtrack on it it is backtracking on is backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word and backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word and in backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word and in Terms Backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word and in terms of backtrack on it it is backtracking on 1s Word and in terms of the i on 1s Word and in terms of the politics on 1s Word and in terms of the politics and on 1s Word and in terms of the politics and international on 1s Word and in terms of the i politics and international politics it is serious so if that� s the accusation from france. Lets hear australia� s defence. Here� s the Prime Minister again. The decision we have made to not continue with that submarine and go down this path is not a change of mind, it is a change of need. The goal has remained the same. And australians would expect me as Prime Minister to ensure that we have the best possible capability to keep them safe. And be unhindered in pursuing that as best as i possibly can. Australia� s concerns are genuine. Last Year President xi laid out his vision to build a � modern fighting force� by 2027. That same year he increased Military Spending by 6. 6 , to 183 Billion dollars. Analysts tell us china is developing advanced weapons and smart technologies like Artificial Intelligence. We know china has become more aggressive in the region especially towards taiwan, Which Beijing Claims as its own let� s speak to our Security Correspondent frank gardner. We always welcome you on outside sites. What are your thoughts on this deal . It sites. What are your thoughts on this deal . , ,. ,. , this deal . It does seem to have come out of the blue. This deal . It does seem to have come out of the blue. I this deal . It does seem to have come out of the blue. I dont this deal . It does seem to have come out of the blue. I dont think this deal . It does seem to have come out of the blue. I dont think there out of the blue. I don� t think there was any hint of it before. It is a Step Change in for australia and the entire Indo Pacific region. It� s not going to make an immediate difference because it would take years to build the nuclear powered submarines. It� s important to stress they will not be nuclear arms but they will not be nuclear arms but they will not be nuclear arms but they will be able to carry very powerful missiles with a range of 1000 miles and these submarines can stay submerged and hidden very stealthily for months on and so ultimately it will alter the Military Balance in the south China Sea and the asia Pacific Region which is upsetting china. As you alluded to, china has been on a huge Spending Spree to build up its military. The site of its navy has tripled in the last eight years and it� s developing hypersonic weapons which can go up into the stratosphere and then power down at mach eight, eight times the Speed Of Sound and if they can get the Guidance Right that will punch a hole in a warship and send it to the bottom of the ocean so the us is now very concerned that it� s basically lost to the Military Edge in the region but together with australia and the uk and possibly Others may think they can address that and confront some of china� s actions which has been condemned by us decisions such as building these artificial reefs and taking over entire areas in the south China Sea and finger cannot come and visit China Territory waters. You alluded to that particular China Territory waters. You alluded to that particular project China Territory waters. You alluded to that particular project more to that particular project more broadly in the region, what would you pick out as being the main Pressure Point where the main security Pressure Point that both china and the us are aware of . I think its taiwan freedom of think it� s taiwan Freedom Of Navigation. Xijinping has made it very clear that by the time of the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party founded in 2049 he wants taiwan to be back in the fold as it were. They have never accepted taiwan as an independent and separate state and they would make it to come back on the chinese rule and they will do that one way or anOther. Whether that means an actual military invasion, certainly there are signs that they have carried out a lot of aggressive acts such as penetrating Taiwan Plus � s Security Airspace and making threatening moves but there is no indication that they� re planning that eminently. The Other concern is Freedom Of Navigation. So china has basically said there is a huge area of the south China Sea right close to the borders of a number of neighbouring countries like the philippines, malaysia, vietnam and so on that it really has that area and that is disputed. The reason for this naval build up by The West is to try and secure at that Freedom Of Navigation that China Cannot say to people you need our permission to come through what the rest of the world considers to be international waters. I don� t know if you remember that back seat incidents with russia. If the chinese version of that basically with western powers and seeing hand on it cannot present this. But this is dangerous territory because china is an enormous economic power and they will retaliate in some form and they are embedded in Telecom Industries and financial and are embedded in Telecom Industries and financialand in are embedded in Telecom Industries and financial and in the economy and they nuclear Power Industry and there� s a lot of things they could do to hurt the rest if they choose to. , ~ ,. , do to hurt the rest if they choose to. ,. ,. Around 3000 Health Workers have been suspended because they have not been vaccinated against Covid 19. A new rule, which came into force on wednesday, Made Vaccination mandatory for the country� s 2. 7 million health, Care Home and Fire Service staff. French Health Minister Olivier veran said on thursday that most of the suspensions are only temporary. And that many are now agreeing to getjabbed because they see that the Vaccination Mandate is a reality. Let� s hear from our world Affairs Correspondent naomi grimley. It was not the first European Country to insist on Health Care workers getting vaccinated. Italy did it back in the spring but injuly, President Macron had set this date of Mid September for Health Care and care workers to have at least one vaccine. Now, that deadline passed yesterday and as you mentioned, the french Health Minister went on public radio and explained that 3000 staff had been temporarily suspended. He says temporarily because clearly he is hoping it will focus minds and they will come forward for their vaccinations and therefore the policy would have worked. That is what they are hoping anyway. So the mandate is now in place but with thousands still refusing to get the vaccine, there are fears of a disruption to Health Care services. Injust one hospital in nice in southern france, for example, almost 450 workers have been suspended. And in montelimar, one hospital confirmed that it had already begun cancelling non urgent operations because of a shortage of vaccinated anaesthetists. Catherine guilyardi is a journalist in paris. Thank you forjoining us. What is the government� s planet thousands of workers just refused to have the vaccine . Workers ust refused to have the vaccine . ,. , Workers Ust refused to have the vaccine . ,. , Workers Ust refused to have the vaccine . ,. � , Workers Ust refused to have the vaccine . ,. � ,. , vaccine . They are saying its only temporary vaccine . They are saying its only temporary and vaccine . They are saying its only temporary and that vaccine . They are saying its only temporary and that they vaccine . They are saying its only temporary and that they have temporary and that they have declared 3000 workers for the moment have not been vaccinated and that is a divide between them and those. Supporting the Health Workers and doctors. Most of the doctors. Liberal doctors and 95 to be vaccinated but there is a real divide and one of the big parts of this measure is that it creates division. I this measure is that it creates division this measure is that it creates division. ,. ,. ,. , division. I would have to leave it there because division. I would have to leave it there because this division. I would have to leave it there because this sound division. I would have to leave it there because this sound on division. I would have to leave it there because this sound on your| there because this sound on your line is not quite as good as we would like. It� s a shame. Thank you forjoining us from paris and we appreciate your help on that story. Staying with vaccines many women have been reporting changes to periods and unexpected Vaginal Bleeding after having a covid jab the uk� S Regulator has received more than 30,000 reports of this. It� s prompted one doctor from Imperial College London to write about the issue in the british medicaljournal and urging an investigation into it to reassure women. Dr Victoria Male said the body� s immune response was the likely cause, and there� s no evidence they have any impact on pregnancy or fertility. Here� s what she told us. Those people who are making the reports saying they are later than usual or heavier than usual and most people are saying it goes back to normal quite quickly and we know from Other research there is no impact on your ability to get pregnant. But because of the way the latest data is collected we don� t know for sure if this is really something that is caused by the vaccine or just something that might happen any way that people are noticing because they are conscious of their bodies around the time that they get the vaccine. And i� m arguing that even though it does that seem to be a serious problem and it does not have an impact on fertility we should look into it and try and find out for sure if there is a link and if so how common it is to experience this. I think it� s important to know partly because yes, i think it� s important we take peoples concerns about Vaccine Safety seriously but also it� s important for people to be able to plan so i� ve had a lot of people getting in touch because their period came late after the vaccine and they spent five days worrying they were pregnant. If we knew this was a common Side Effect We Can say 5 of people will get a late period, if that happens to you you don� T Need to worry. The Other important point is people rely on knowing exactly about their menstrual cycles and particularly when they are articulating because they want to become pregnant or because they don� t want to become pregnant. And for those people if there is a change i think it� s important we say may be this month do not rely on your prediction of when you� re ovulating for that very important life changing thing of having a baby or not having a baby. Her information about the vaccines on the Bbc News website. Here is the live feed from the State Department in washington, dc. They continue to host their australian counterparts and they are talking through this really significant Defence Pact between australia and the uk and us. Its between australia and the uk and us. It� s very much seeing as an effort to china� s growing influence in The End of Pacific Region and the deal is multifaceted and they headline is that australia will now build a nuclear powered submarines using us technology but there are many Other facets to the deal as well including shared work on Artificial Intelligence and shared work on Other technologies as well. They will be more on the website as well. In the next half an hour we will talk about the ethics around Covid 19 boosters. Hello. It was a pretty good day on the Weather Front for most of us today. Lengthy spells of sunshine. Friday we will see increasing amounts of cloudiness across western areas of the uk. We are expecting some rain. The Weather Front is approaching us right now just to The West of our neighbourhood. Pressure is spinning up. It is a slow moving Weather Front. It is slowing down as it approaches uk. Once it stops out towards the last of the uk that is where it will stay pretty much for all of friday. Into the night it will turn damp across scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. England and wales overnight is looking try. It will be a very mild night. It� s Warm Southern Winds of Northern Ireland and The Western isles of scotland the temperature may not drop below at 15 celsius overnight. Here is the Weather Front. It is settling down and stalling from the tip of cornwall to the tip of wales and the Irish Sea into The Western isles with this narrow band of rain on either side of it and it will be some sunshine bring your castle all the way to norwich. That is friday, saturday, the Weather Front it will still be here. It is starting to fizzle away. They will not be much rain. They will be some cloudiness from scotland and across the Irish Sea. It is coming out of The West here. It is mostly from the south as well. The wind is blowing from different directions and the whether frontal stall. Different directions and the whether frontalstall. It different directions and the whether frontal stall. It will fizzle out during the course of saturday towards the left. Overall, saturday is not a bad day for most of us with lengthy spells of sunshine. However, sunday the Weather Front is going to reinvigorate itself. It will become more cloudy across and be able to see outbreaks of rain developing during the course of the afternoon. Out of the two days, saturday or sunday, sunday will be either wet or sunday, sunday will be either wet or sunday, sunday will be either wet or sunday, sunday will be the latter day and a greater chance of catching some rays. It will never be cold. In the low 20s for the most part. Next week the weather will be not too hello, i� m ros atkins, this is outside source. China has condemned the us, the uk and australia over their new Defence Pact that gives australian nuclear powered submarines. Translation it powered submarines. Translation ,. , , powered submarines. Translation ,. , , translation it shows they are using nuclear Expft5 Translation it shows they are using nuclear exports as translation it shows they are using nuclear exports as a translation it shows they are using nuclear exports as a Geo Translation it shows they are using nuclear exports as a geo political nuclear exports as a geo political Gaming Tool and applying double standards. , Gaming Tool and applying double standards. ,. ,. , standards. China is annoyed and france is as standards. China is annoyed and france is as well, standards. China is annoyed and france is as well, saying standards. China is annoyed and france is as well, saying its standards. China is annoyed and. France is as well, saying its been france is as well, saying it� s been said in the back by australia after it cancelled an agreement to buy french subs. Also across a half Hour Commute Look at Howjournalist Reporting On Afghanistan have handled the relations with the taliban before and after the group took over the country. And it� s boosterjabs get rolled out a number of western countries can we discuss the ethics around her use. In the weeks that have followed the taliban� s takeover, foreign and Localjournalists Have had to try and tell the story of what the taliban is doing while also dealing directly with the taliban. We� re going to look at the ethics and practicalities of doing so. For the Media Show on Bbc Radio 4, i� ve been speaking to people who have to navigate this relationship. One of them is saad mohseni. He� s based In London and is the ceo of the company that owns tolo news. It� s got an audience of millions inside afghanistan. Here he is on dealing with the taliban. The relationship has always been professional. We did have an incident where they attacked one of our buses in 2016, which resulted in the killing of seven of our employees. The network took responsibility for it. Other than that, the relationship has been fairly professional. They� re always on the phone, they� re always are available online. In areas they control, they provide us with safe passage. We were even embedded with the taliban red force, a special unit, when they took on isis. I think that they� ve always been perhaps more Media Savvy Savvy than the president , the former president � s team. They had 150 employees in the palace. They were not responsive. They wouldn� t get back to us. They lied to us. Whereas the taliban were responsive, they were professional. So, we, in a lot of ways, we had a better relationship towards The End with the taliban than the previous government� s communications team. That� s one experience. Here� s anOther. Bbc News Correspondent Secunder kermani has been a big part of our coverage. I asked him to tell us about dealing with the taliban. I think theres definitely a sense of privilege that comes from being an international journalist here in afghanistan. We have seen at times unfortunately some of our colleagues being badly beaten, tortured even by the taliban just for their reporting. Something like that hasnt happen with the foreign media, at least not yet. I think thats probably because the taliban know there will be even more serious Pr Consequences for them internationally. Thats not to say there arent challenges being here. We at times have had confrontations with Taliban Fighters who try to prevent us filming at demonstrations or at the airport. Last month, when there were scenes taking place there. But overall their attitude with us, i have to say, has been very cooperative and really very friendly. I think thats probably because on an individual level, we are still as Foreigners Something of a novelty for many Taliban Fighters. Mostly because essentially the group wants to portray a very particular, more positive image to the rest of the world. Now that in itself presents its own challenges because theres a lot of misinformation around and both the taliban and their critics both have very particular narratives that they want to push forward and the Truth Isnt always easy to decipher. But one of the key things i try and bear in mind in my reporting is the importance. We can and should talk about the gains that have been made. Also important to remember some of the many problems like the widespread corruption. The nuance is, ithink, really key to remember. Secunder is in mazar i sharif. He� s also reported in kabul, as has cnn� s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward. This was a widely shared clip of clarissa� s encounter with Taliban Fighters near to kabul airport. L the fighter takes the safety off his i Ak 47 and pushes through the crowd. Stay behind him you can see that some i of these Taliban Fighters, theyre just hopped up on adrenaline or i dont know what. Go back to 2019, and Clarissa Ward also reported on Taliban Fighters as they took on the afghan military. This is her experience of dealing with the group. There was a process, and when you have a guarantee of protection and you did have the sign off. From the taliban, you could be reasonably secure knowing that you werent at risk at least of being kidnapped on the trip and that you would be given access to what you had been promised. So, there was a mechanism for dealing with them. And from what were seeing on the ground now, that. Mechanism still exists. You know, theres a department that you go to, theres paperwork thats signed off on. The problem becomes now particularly that your dealings with the Rank And File on The Street are not necessarily the same as your dealings with the sort. Of upper echelons of the taliban and the president ial palace. And it can be very difficult no matter how much You Wag that piece of paper in front of someone on The Street to persuade them that you do have a legitimate right to be there and doing yourjob as a reporter. You have to go into it with your eyes open, | and you have to know that the way im treated is not the way anOtherjournalist, particularly a localjournalist, might be treated. And so when youre looking. At the sort of professionalism or the savvy of the taliban, you have to understand it l in its proper context. And that it is largely. Transactional for them. Theyre hoping to get something out of it. I and the veneer, from what weve seen, is pretty thin, right . Because on the one hand, its all about, yeah, were protecting the rights of people to protest and people to carry out theirjobs asjournalists, and on the Other hand, theyre firing at protesters, theyre beating journalists. So, just because you talk| the talk, if you dont walk the walk, were going to cover that. But help me understand your calculations on these issues, clarissa. You were part of the first international team into myanmar in february after the Military Coup there. That would� ve only been possible with the military� s acquiescence. What are your calculations when you� re deciding to work to some degree with people like the military in myanmar or the taliban . My calculation is that we are put in this position all the time, whether its north korea,. Syria with the assad regime, where youre given access to a country by a repressive regime. And yourjob when you accept Thatl Access is to make sure that you tell those stories to the absolute best. Of your ability and that you go even further in ensuring that you hold peoples feet to the fire. So, in myanmar, for example, i where Local Myanmarjournalist were doing extra ordinary work, from a Security Point of view, i it was not possible for them to look a top general in the eye and confront him with evidence of children i being killed by his own forces. Thats a privilege that i enjoy as a foreigner because im allowed to leave the country at The End of it and i dont run the risk of being sent to prison in the same way. I would still say that based on our experience of the airport with the taliban, though, its much more of a fluid situation. And even as a foreigner, if you get the wrong person on the wrong day, that situation can very quickly become very dangerous. Thanks to Clarissa Ward, Secunder Kermani and saad mohseni. And you can listen to the full episode of radio 4� s the Media Show via bbc sounds. For viewers in the uk, you can also watch that edition, too, on the Bbc News channel on saturday at half past midnightand 4 30pm, and On Sunday at 3 30pm. Stay with us on outside source. Still to come, we will talk about these company countries boosting their doses with Booster Campaigns and the ethical debate about that. The Environment Agency has been ordered by a High Courtjudge to urgently rate increases work to improve the land here in its efforts are. Five year old Matthew Richards was born prematurely and has had Breathing Difficulties since birth, but his family say the Noxious Gases released from the Landfill Site he lives next to risks shortening his life. They have taken the Environment Agency to court, saying the body wasn� t doing enough to prevent it, and today a High Courtjudge ruled in the family� s favour, saying that real and significant change is needed as a matter of urgency. It� s come as a shock, it really has come as a shock. Is amazing what has happened today for my son and all the Other children who were suffering and all the Other children who were suffering, they will breathe Fresh Air soon. People living in the village of silverdale in staffordshire have been raising issues for years about the smell of Hydrogen Sulphide emanating from walley� s quarry. Some days are worse than Others but windows are always closed. Constantly effecting our breathing and both constantly effecting our breathing and both kids have cost and we have and both kids have cost and we have a real and both kids have cost and we have a real problem and im really happy that they have now highlight of the impact that they have now highlight of the impact this has on the area. There have been impact this has on the area. There have been thousands impact this has on the area. There have been thousands of impact this has on the area. There l have been thousands of complaints about the site with local saint the impact is pervasive and really listen to something be done about it. The Environment Agency says it. The quarry says it is already working towards this. This is outside source live from the Bbc Newsroom. Our Lead Story is the us says it will stay with australia and facing pressure from china as itjoins with the uk in a Defence Pact. Every week on outside source, we produce an in Depth Look at one and for iplayer in the uk. This week, we� re looking at Booster Jabs being introduced in richer countries, while in Other places the Vaccine Roll Out is still in its early stages. The uk has a new plan to stop a Winter Wave of covid, and boosterjabs are part of it. For Over 50s and the Under 50s who are at risk or more at risk, we� re now motoring ahead with the booster programme, a third dose six months after your second dose. A number of Other western countries have similar plans. Israel� s one of them. It� s rolling boosters out to all over 12. Several European Countries, including france and germany, have also given third doses the go ahead. The us is also expected to start soon. And the scientificjustification for doing this is clear. Here� s the uk� s health secretary. Theres evidence that the protection offered by Covid 19 vaccines reduces over time, particularly for older people who are at greater risk. And so, Booster Doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term. The objective may be clear, but the degree to which Immunity Decreases is not. This is a precautionary tactic, and it means that while some people are getting a third jab, many people elsewhere in the world are waiting for their first. Which is why the World Health Organization is calling for a moratorium on boosters. We do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated. We dont want any more promises. We just want the vaccines. The Epidemiologist Andrew Hayward builds on this critique. He� s written. Which means rich countries have a choice. Dominic wilkinson is professor of Medical Ethics at oxford university. He says they� ve made the wrong one. The richest countries are not unaware of this criticism. To understand why they reject it, we need to look at that idea that they� re choosing between their populations and the rest of the world. They simply don� t accept that that is the choice. Here are borisjohnson and Joe Biden at the g7 injune. There� s no point in us just vaccinating the uk. We need to vaccinate the world. And from the beginning of my presidency, weve been clear eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. Wel, the us is planning its booster programme, and here� s white House Spokespersonjen Psaki saying the idea that americans are being are being prioritised over everyone else is false. We feel that its a false choice. And that We Can do both. We announced yesterday that we hit an important milestone of over 110 Million vaccines donated to the world. That is more than any Other country has shared combined. And if that� s the biden administration, even the head of the World Health Organization in europe has said boosters can be justified. Of course doing it all is everyone� s best case scenario, a cake and eat it strategy. But this isn� tjust about the most vulnerable. The uk and Others are giving boosters to large sections of the population. That that is happening as Vaccination Rates in the developing world remain low is leaving some people bemused. Real vaccines, not pledged vaccines is the demand. Well, let� s look at what� s being pledged and what� s being delivered. This map shows the number of doses per 100 people. Dark red, europe for example, is where Vaccination Rates are highest. Where it� s lighter, africa for example, the rates are lowest. And here� s the data. 42 of the global population has received at least one dose. In low income countries, that figure is 1. 9 . Bear that in mind when we look at these figures. Look at these figures from the science analytics company airfinity. It� s calculated that The Western nations will have more than A Billion doses left after their initial Vaccine Roll Out and after the boosters. On this, the former british prime Minister Gordon Brown is damning. He argues. The g7, though, argues this isn� t about what it has, it� s about what it� s donating to the global effort. And here� s the who again on what has actually arrived. High income countries have promised | to donate more than A Billion doses, | but less than 15 of those doses have been materialised. Well, south africa� s president Cyril Ramaphosa has called what� s happening vaccine apartheid, the most potent of words for a South African to use. Now we know some african countries have had difficulties administering the doses that have been delivered, but there remains a global supply issue. This is professor sarah gilbert, who led the team that developed the astrazeneca vaccine. We need more doses of all of the vaccines that are currently are currently licensed, and we need more vaccines to be licensed so that we are not talking about choices between vaccinating in one country or anOther country. Of course more Vaccine Supply would help. But vaccines that already exist are not being equally distributed around the world. Which brings us back to the boosters. Which the uk, the us and Others are pushing on with, even while the benefits of doing so are still being assessed. Here� s Professor Gilbert again. It� s the first dose of vaccine that has the most impact whoever you give that vaccine to. We get a strong response, we get good protection after a single dose. And then it� s improved by a second dose, and we would expect to see it being maintained or possibly slightly improved then by a third dose. That� s right. Immunity will be possibly slightly improved by a booster, Professor Gilbert says, and this report about boosterjabs in the medicaljournal The Lancet drew international scientists concluded that. Well, those are two specific assessments. England� s Chief Medical Officer has anOther one. Is there some waning of immunity that means that a third dose of a Booster Dose is a sensible thing to do . And i think theres now a reasonably good evidence that that is the case. There� s scientific advice for and against using boosters now. While we consider that, let� s remember that throughout this pandemic, the who and the g7 have repeatedly committed to a global response. They� ve told us this is the only way. We heard it from Joe Biden and borisjohnson earlier. Here� s anOther example from the who in africa. But are we seeing global solidarity . Have we really moved beyond national considerations . As i watch the world� s richest countries defend their approach to boosters, dr tedros� s famous phrase keeps coming to mind. None of us are safe i until All Of Us are safe. In reality, this is an argument about the route you take to that you take to that point. It� s about the order in which things happen. There� s No Doubt the world� s richest countries do want the whole world vaccinated, but their immediate priority is their own populations. And this week, and as the uk� s Booster Plan began to be rolled out, england� s deputy Chief Medical Officer, a man famed for his metaphors, gave us one more. Its better to put some extra Guy Ropes on there than it is to wait until its the middle of the night, its howling with the Wind And Rain and youre having it to get out of your tent and make your tent secure. By the time you crawl back in, youre soaking wet. The issue is that while the uk adds some extra Guy Ropes, many in the developing world don� t have a tent. That� s a choice being made by the richer countries, and it� s not to pass judgment, but to acknowledge as the boosters begin, that choice has been made. You can find more analysis from outside source elsewhere on the bbc. Each week, we tackle a different subject. You can see our videos on the Bbc News website. Previous editions are on bbc sounds app, too, if you prefer to listen. There� s lots of ways to find them across the bbc. The german federal elections will take place in two weeks. Chancellor Uncle Let has already stepped down and will not seek reelection. Ahead of our poll, our European Editor is on a Road Trip with destination of berlin but as you see she is taking the long way around. Yesterday in Dusseldorf And Today she is in a small town which was hit by the terrible floods in july. Small town which was hit by the terrible floods injuly. Let� s hear what she has been hearing. Oi terrible floods in july. Lets hear what she has been hearing. Of course he the scenes what she has been hearing. Of course he the scenes of what she has been hearing. Of course he the scenes of devastation what she has been hearing. Of course he the scenes of devastation from he the scenes of devastation from this summer here in west germany. Water rushing through The Streets and people on the roofs of their Home Screaming for help in more than 180 people died at this summer. The devastating communities have been trying to rebuild their lives ever since. Like marian here. Thank you so much for talking to us today. You have been busy trying to rebuild this here in your Living Room. This was my living this here in your Living Room. This was my Living Room this here in your Living Room. This was my Living Room in this here in your Living Room. This was my Living Room in the water was like that was my Living Room in the water was like that. Now we are good to add all the Plaster And Floor down. And winter is all the Plaster And Floor down. And winter is coming. Winter is coming and the winter is coming. Winter is coming and the problem is the Gas Pipeline is broken and the problem is the Gas Pipeline is broken and they told us to fix them is broken and they told us to fix them to is broken and they told us to fix them to match. Maybe they start to do it quicker and we have warm, nice weather do it quicker and we have warm, nice weather or do it quicker and we have warm, nice weather or feelings in november. Should weather or feelings in november. Should we weather or feelings in november. Should we head towards your kitchen . Which should be the cosy room of course in the house. You are saying politicians have made lots promises about rebuilding your community. Of course you want heating before march. The election is coming. Different parties have come here to communities like yours and said give us your vote and we will make your lives better and we will change the environment and stop environmental catastrophes as We Can. Catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always talk catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always talk a catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always talk a lot catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always talk a lot about catastrophes as We Can. Well, yeah, they always talk a lot about the they always talk a lot about the things they always talk a lot about the things but do they do . Now we have to wait things but do they do . Now we have to wait on things but do they do . Now we have to wait on what they are doing. They visit us, to wait on what they are doing. They visit us, yeah, and they looked around visit us, yeah, and they looked around it visit us, yeah, and they looked around it but im really sceptical. Its my opinion only. Im sceptical. Its my opinion only. Im reallym sceptical. Its my opinion only. Lm really sceptical. Its my opinion only. I im really. Yeah. Im really. Your sceptical . Yeah. The environment im really. Your sceptical . Yeah. The environment is im really. Your sceptical . Yeah. The environment is a im really. Your sceptical . Yeah. The environment is a really im really. Your sceptical . Yeah. The environment is a really Big The Environment is a really big issue here in Germany And Notjust in the flood communities with many young people saying it� s our future and every political partyjumping on the Bandwagon Saint we would do something for the environment and we would reduce co2 emissions. But what about you were telling me the Green Party not necessarily in the natural choice for people in these devastated communities. Because all the farmers came devastated communities. Because all the farmers came with devastated communities. Because all the farmers came with their devastated communities. Because all the farmers came with their trucks i the farmers came with their trucks and lorries the farmers came with their trucks and lorries and all that stuff and we had and lorries and all that stuff and we had electricians with aggregate and they we had electricians with aggregate and they all Work Run with diesel. So if and they all Work Run with diesel. So if we and they all Work Run with diesel. So if we all and they all Work Run with diesel. So if we all had in the floodwater and the so if we all had in the floodwater and the electrician is not that good mixture, and the electrician is not that good mixture, if and the electrician is not that good mixture, if we dont have these people mixture, if we dont have these people and all the machines, we are still in people and all the machines, we are still in a people and all the machines, we are still in a mess. Still in a mess. That leaves a lot of people still in a mess. That leaves a lot of people here still in a mess. That leaves a lot of people here not still in a mess. That leaves a lot of people here not knowing still in a mess. That leaves a lot of people here not knowing whoj of people here not knowing who to vote for. Is it hard to concentrate even on politics about the election when your life still looks like this . Your kitchen still like this . I don� t think a lot of people think idont think a lot of people think about i dont think a lot of people think about it i dont think a lot of people think about it. They think about how do i fix all about it. They think about how do i fix all my about it. They think about how do i fix all my stuff or my house to go into a fix all my stuff or my house to go into a long fix all my stuff or my house to go into a long winter. We fix all my stuff or my house to go into a long winter. Into a long winter. We will hear more from into a long winter. We will hear more from katya into a long winter. We will hear more from katya as into a long winter. We will hear more from katya as she into a long winter. We will hear more from katya as she makes| into a long winter. We will hear more from katya as she makes her way slowly towards berlin. We wrap up this hour, the us or Terry Estate has been addressing tensions with france over that new Defence Pact with australia, the uk in the us, which means in a Submarine Deal between france and australia has bitten the dust. I between france and australia has bitten the dust. Between france and australia has bitten the dust. I want to emphasise that there is bitten the dust. I want to emphasise that there is no bitten the dust. I want to emphasise that there is no regional bitten the dust. I want to emphasise that there is no regional divide that there is no regional divide separating the interests of our atlantic and our pacific partners. This partnership with australia and he kingdom is a signal that we are committed to working with our allies and partners, including in europe, to ensure a free and open in the pacific. We welcome European Countries playing an important role in the in the pacific and we look forward to continued close cooperation with nato, with the European Union and Others in this endeavour. France in particular is a vital partner on this and so many Other issues. Tripping Back Generations and we want to find every opportunity to deepen our transit when It Cooperation in the Indo Pacific and around the world. We will see if the french are ready to hear that message and bury my seniorfigures in the to hear that message and bury my senior figures in the government has said that france has been stabbed in the back by this deal. That� s it for this hour. Thanks for watching outside source we will see you next week. All the best. Hello. Well, it was a pretty good day on the Weather Front for most of us today. Lengthy spells of sunshine. Friday will see increasing amounts of cloud across western areas of the uk, and we are expecting some on and off rain. Now, this Weather Front is approaching us right now. It� s just to The West of our neighbourhood, this low pressure spinning up here. But it� s a very slow moving Weather Front. In fact, it� s slowing down as it approaches the uk, and once It Parks itself out towards The West of the uk, that� s where it� s going to stay pretty much through the whole of friday. Now, through the night, it� s already going to turn damp across scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, but england and wales overnight is looking dry. And it� s also going to be a very mild night. These are warm southerly winds, so in places like Northern Ireland and The Western isles of scotland, the temperature may not drop lower than 15 Degrees Celsius overnight. So, here� s that Weather Front, and it� s slowing down, basically stalling from the tip of cornwall to the tip of wales, the Irish Sea, into The Western isles, a narrow band of rain. Either side of it, the weather� s going to be much better. Sunshine for newcastle all the way to norwich. So, that was friday. How about saturday . The Weather Front still here, it� s actually starting to fizzle away, so not much rain on it, but there will be a line of cloud from scotland again across the Irish Sea, look at the Wind Direction coming mostly out of the east here, coming out of The West here, it� s kind of almost variable but mostly from the south. And when you have winds blowing from different directions, that� s when Weather Fronts stall. And we think it� s just going to fizzle out during the course of saturday towards The West. So, on the whole, saturday not a bad day for most of us with lengthy spells of sunshine. However, On Sunday, that Weather Front is going to reinvigorate itself. It will become more cloudy across the uk, and we� ll see outbreaks of rain developing during the course of the afternoon. So, i think out of the two days, saturday or sunday, sunday is going to be the wetter day and i think a greater chance of catching some rain. But there� ll be sunny spells around, too. It� s never going to be cold, temperatures will be in the low 20s for the most part, and into next week, i think the weather� s going to be not too bad for most of us. This is Bbc News, i� m james reynolds. The headlines at eight o� clock. The Covid Boosterjab Programme gets under way Front Line Health Care workers and the Over 50s are the priority. Deciding between a Jab And Yourjob all Care Home staff in england need to be fully vaccinated by november today� s the deadline for the first jab. Diplomatic fallout, as china, france and the eu criticise the Defence Pact agreed by britain, the us and australia. The Scottish Government drafts in the military to help with Ambulance Delays after the average wait reached six hours last week. And Tennis Superstar Emma raducanu arrives Back Home in bromley to continue celebrating her Us Open win