Thank you forjoining us here in bbc news. The taliban has captured three more Provincial Capitals, this time in northern afghanistan as they intensify their offensive to seize power is following the withdrawal of western troops. The three cities appear to have largely fallen to islamist militants within hours of one another, the biggest is quintus, a city of more than a quarter of A Million people. Provincial capitals are also largely in militant hands although the government in kabul insists its forces are fighting back to retake lost ground. Heres a our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. Fire and confusion in the centre of kunduz. Caliban pictures appear to show another city falling under their control. This is the biggest prize so far. A large city, economically important, it seems to have fallen easily. Afraid of the fighting, as much as of the taliban, civilians fleeing, many of them heading south to kabul. A Government Spokesman says the taliban will soon be asked about simila
Now on bbc news, thursday in parliament. Hello, and welcome to thursday in parliament, where its down to business for mps following last weeks general election. The queen comes to westminster for the second time in ten weeks, setting out the governments to do list for the year. And theres no prizes for guessing whats at the top. My governments priority is to deliver the United Kingdoms departed from the European Union on the 31st of january. Labour says the government has tried to mimic some of its priorities. On austerity, on investment, on inequality and on the National Health service and we can see how we force the terrain to shift. But Boris Johnsons predicting a positive future. I do not think it vainglorious or impossible to say that a new golden age for this United Kingdom is now in reach. Mid morning, the queen set off from Buckingham Palace for the state opening of parliament, a ceremony shes more than familiar with, having taken part in it 66 times during her reign. But havin
In the past hes been treated there for bladder and chest infections. Whatever the nature of this latest episode, the duke, who is 98 now, has clearly satisfied his doctors that he is well enough to return home. A helicopter took him from Buckingham Palace to the queens sandringham estate, where the royal family is gathering for christmas. In her christmas broadcast tomorrow, the queen will talk about a past year which has felt quite bumpy. She doesnt clarify what it is that been bumpy, which will inevitably invite speculation. These are her words. Talking about reconciliation, she says. The obvious conclusion is that this is a coded message from britains head of state, urging the country to try to move on from the divisions of the brexit debate. She also says in the broadcast that small steps can overcome long held differences. But the reference to a bumpy year might also be taken to refer to events within her own family after a year which began with the duke of edinburghs road acciden
It was a disappointing game to watch, because they were just, there simply wasnt enough rugby being played. Its just simply wasnt enough rugby being played. Itsjust a game of rugby, meat, its all good. The government halts fracking for gas in england until there is evidence the controversial process is safe. High winds and rain sweep southern england and wales, with one woman killed after her car was struck by a falling tree in dorset. Nicola sturgeon accuses Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn of running scared of a tv debate with her and says Scottish Independence is within touching distance. Vote to escape the chaos and the misery and the division of brexit and vote to put scotlands future into scotlands hands. That is the message that must ring out. Labour unveils a plan to make all new build homes zero carbon within three years if it wins the general election. Welcome to bbc news. South africa have ended englands dream of lifting the Rugby World Cup, with an overwhelming victory at th
This demonstrates that the rainbow nation is alive and it is real and it can become even better. The government halts fracking for gas in england until there is evidence the controversial process is safe. High winds and rain sweep southern england and wales, with one woman killed after her car was struck by a falling tree in dorset. Englands dream of Rugby World Cup glory is over as the team slipped to defeat against south africa in the final in tokyo. They lost 32 12, a result which gave the springboks their third world cup victory. For england, there was just bitter disappointment at their failure to win their first world cup in 16 years. South africa overpowered the english in the second half of the game, with Makazole Mapimpis try putting south africa ahead 25 12. And with less than ten minutes to go, winger Cheslin Kolbe outstepped the english and scored another try, giving the springboks the path to victory. The team has made history siya kolisi is the first black man to captain